Skip to content

Stearns Bank Commits $500,000 to Anna Marie’s Alliance

Posted on: May 22, 2023

The donation will help fund additions and renovations to the living units at the 
St. Cloud facility

St. Cloud, Minn. (May 22, 2023) – The years-long partnership between Stearns Bank and Anna Marie’s Alliance is continuing with Stearns Bank announcing a second commitment of $500,000 to Anna Marie’s Alliance’s Building Hope Capital Campaign.

Anna Marie’s Alliance is currently in the final phase of its Building Hope Capital Campaign. The campaign started in 2017, when Anna Marie’s Alliance kicked off a huge fundraising undertaking appealing to the community, local businesses, and other resources, with the goal of remodeling and adding on to their facilities to provide the best possible spaces for healing, hope and an expanded footprint for advocacy and education.

The final phase of the capital campaign aims to raise a total of $2.5 million by December 31, 2023, and so far, has raised over 65% of that goal. The campaign will fund the expansion and renovation of AMA’s facilities with a focus on converting shared dormitory living into private apartment-style living to better accommodate healing for clients, especially children. 

The campaign consists of three total phases. Phase 1 included the creation of the Center for Family Peace, which serves as the hub of Anna Marie Alliance’s non-residential and prevention education services. Phase 2 was comprised of renovations to portions of the existing shelter facilities and offices to improve access, security, and provide space for best practices for a trauma-based facility.

The public launch of the capital campaign will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023, with a special event to be held at AMA’s headquarters at 505 10th Avenue North in St. Cloud. The event will be open to the public and will feature keynote speakers including lead corporate donor, Stearns Bank President Kelly Skalicky, and an opportunity to learn more about this exciting vision. 

The $500,000 donation from Stearns Bank will be dedicated to “Coming Home” the final phase of the Building Hope Capital Campaign, which is focused on the addition and renovations of the current facility to transform the housing into new apartment-style living arrangements.

Stearns Bank and Anna Marie’s Alliance’s partnership first began in 2019 when Stearns Bank dedicated $500,000 to support Phase 2 of the Capital Campaign.

“At Stearns Bank, a strong tradition of supporting community causes keeps us committed to social responsibility,” said Kelly Skalicky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stearns Bank. “We believe that we only succeed when everyone succeeds, and this partnership with Anna Marie’s Alliance allows us to support the work they are doing to make a positive impact throughout Central Minnesota.”

“The donation is a part of Stearns Bank’s ongoing commitment to investing in and supporting the communities it serves,” said Pam Bjerke, Chief Human Resources Officer of Stearns Bank and Chair of the Steering Committee for Anna Marie’s Alliance. “Our mission aligns with the local giving, volunteerism and programs of Anna Marie’s Alliance that work towards their goal of providing those who are experiencing domestic abuse with a safe place to stay and the resources they need.”

Since opening its doors in 1979, Anna Marie's Alliance has served as a safe shelter for more than 21,000 women and children experiencing relationship abuse. Anna Marie's Alliance is now a leader and innovator in the state of Minnesota in the field of domestic violence intervention, education, prevention and advocacy for a non-violent community.

"We are excited to officially launch the final phase of this capital campaign to take our mission to the next level," said Charles Hempeck, Executive Director of Anna Marie's Alliance. "Our goal is to ensure that we can provide a safe haven for all survivors of domestic abuse and violence in our community. With the support of our donors and community partners, we make a difference in the lives of those affected by relationship violence.” 

To support this vital campaign, Anna Marie's Alliance is seeking tax-deductible gifts from individuals, corporations, and community organizations. Donations of any amount are welcome, and all contributions will go directly toward the expansion and renovation of the AMA campus. 

For more information about Anna Marie's Alliance and the capital campaign, please visit annamaries.org or contact Campaign Director Lori Eich at lorie@annamaries.org or (320) 251-7203.

 

 

About Stearns Bank N.A.

Minnesota-based Stearns Bank National Association is a $2.2 billion, independently-owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide, in every state across the U.S. Recognized as having a bullet-proof balance sheet with 25% capital and earning top rankings as one of the nation’s highest-performing banks by American Banker, and most recently ranked fourth in the U.S. among banks having more than $1 billion in assets by Independent Banker’s 2023 Best of the Best ranking of banks with the highest 3-year average Return on Assets, Stearns Bank specializes in nationwide commercial construction lending, USDA and SBA lending, and small business and equipment financing. Driven by a passion to help others achieve their greatest ambitions, Stearns Bank’s mission is to Get the Job Done! For more information, visit StearnsBank.com

 

About Anna Marie’s Alliance

Anna Marie's Alliance is a nonprofit organization based in St. Cloud, MN, dedicated to providing education, intervention, and advocacy to those affected by relationship abuse with a holistic approach and anti-oppression focus. Since 1978, Anna Marie's Alliance has helped thousands of survivors and their families through its emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and outreach programs. The organization's vision is a world free of relationship abuse. For more information, visit AnnaMaries.org.