Valley Bank invests $106K in education to fuel future leadership across N.J. and Florida

Valley National Bank on Wednesday announced a major philanthropic commitment to regional education, donating more than $106,000 to eight key educational institutions and nonprofit organizations across New Jersey and Florida.

The investment is a cornerstone of Valley’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, specifically targeting student success, classroom innovation, and the expansion of educational access in high-need districts.

The grants are designed to move the needle on community stability by providing direct resources to both higher education and K-12 foundations. From funding high-tech lab equipment in Newark to supporting scholarships in Morristown, the initiative touches every level of the academic journey.

“Education is the foundation of strong, thriving communities,” Bernadette Mueller, executive vice president and head of corporate social responsibility at Valley Bank said. “Valley is proud to support schools and education partners who are creating meaningful opportunities for students and educators and helping to shape the next generation of leaders¹.”

The $106,000 in funding is being distributed among a diverse group of academic partners known for their local impact:

“Valley’s generosity directly fuels innovation in our classrooms and opens doors for students who depend on scholarship support to pursue their dreams,” Caroline Kincaid Godfrey, executive director of the MEF said. “This is more than a donation; it is an investment in possibility.”

This education-focused initiative follows on the heels of Valley’s recent $200,000 hunger relief donation in late 2025, underscoring the bank’s strategy of addressing the “essential pillars” of community health.