Community Partner Awards
We recognize outstanding organizations and individuals in our communities through our Community Partner Awards program! The program aims to support ongoing projects and inspire others in these same areas to take active roles in the betterment of their communities.
Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners
In 2025, Sunflower Bank, N.A. donated a total of $90,000 through twenty-two Community Partner Awards grants of $2,000 to $15,000 each.
$15,000 Creating Possibility Award Recipient:
Love, Chloe Foundation – Salina, KS
Love, Chloe(Opens in a new window) supports Kansas families navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer by providing financial assistance, travel support, and emotional resources. Their programs include The Monkey in My Chair, which helps children stay connected with classmates during treatment; Warrior Wagons, offering in-kind and financial support; Family Support Grants for essential needs; and Fueling the Fight gas cards to assist with travel expenses. The foundation also funds groundbreaking research through the DIPG Collaborative. Founded in honor of Chloe, a young cancer warrior, Love, Chloe Foundation is dedicated to easing the burdens of childhood cancer diagnoses.
$10,000 Creating Possibility Award Recipient:
StepMC – McPherson, KS
Steps to End Poverty of McPherson County (StepMC)(Opens in a new window) empowers individuals and families to overcome poverty through education, mentorship, and community support. Founded in 2010, STEPMC utilizes a community-driven framework to provide financial literacy opportunities, work skills training, and goal setting. Weekly gatherings in McPherson and Moundridge offer meals, childcare, and accountability partnerships, fostering relationships that transform lives and move the community beyond poverty.
Empowerment Award:
Six State Awards of $2,000 each
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County(Opens in a new window) – Santee, CA
Heart of Colorado CASA – Canon City, CO
First Call for Help – Hays, KS
Bienvenidos Outreach – Santa Fe, NM
NeighborWorks Waco – Waco, TX
Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) – Spokane, WA
In The Lives We Touch Award:
Five State Awards of $5,000 Each
Jewish Tuition Organization – Phoenix, AZ
Girls Inc. of Metro Denver – Denver, CO
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters – Wichita, KS
New Mexico Activities Association Foundation – Albuquerque, NM
El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation – El Paso, TX
Family Promise – Spokane, WA
Bringing Out the Best Award:
Six State Awards of $3,000 each
Backpacks 4 Kids AZ – Phoenix, AZ
Voices for CASA Children – Phoenix, AZ
Pantry of Fremont(Opens in a new window) – Fremont, CO
All For Moms – Lenexa, KS
Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) – Los Alamos, NM
Avant-Garde Foster Family Agency – Los Angeles, CA
Austin Area Urban League – Austin, TX
Venessa Behan – Spokane, WA
How We Identify Our Award Recipients
Sunflower Bank employees and other community members in qualified counties of Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Washington submit nominations for award consideration:
- Organizations receiving the most nominations will be placed on an employee ballot
- Nominees receiving the greatest number of employee votes in each market will receive a corresponding award.
What Types of Community Partners Are We Looking to Reward?
Affordable Housing
Community Services
Economic Development
Financial Education
Inclusivity