Northwest Bank and Habitat for Humanity

Northwest Bank and Habitat for Humanity: Building Communities, One Home at a Time

Key takeaways:

• Northwest Bank employees have volunteered over 1,500 hours for Habitat for Humanity since 2021.
• Besides contributing over $1 million to the nonprofit, Northwest Bank manages over 500 loans for Habitat homeowners.
• The partnership includes special projects such as the Women's Build and the Pat Botts Memorial Build.

It starts with a hammer, a team of volunteers and a family waiting for a place to call home. In neighborhoods across the four states we serve, this scene has played out again and again for the past 13 years. Through its enduring partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we continue to demonstrate what is possible when corporate commitment meets compassion, as we build not just homes, but stronger communities. 

Time, talent and financial commitment

Since January 2021, our employees have logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours supporting Habitat for Humanity initiatives. This incredible dedication involves around 5% of the bank's entire workforce, underscoring a deep-rooted culture of community involvement and employee engagement. The impact goes far beyond volunteer hours alone.

We have directly donated over $195,000, with an additional $805,000 in funding through Neighborhood Assistance Programs. Additionally, we manage over 500 loans for Habitat homeowners, totaling over $21 million.

What truly defines the value of these contributions are not just the investment itself, but the human impact it creates — seen in the lives changed and communities strengthened. 

It's a reflection of our employees' commitment — their time, energy and compassion — poured into building trust and making a difference in the neighborhoods we serve. Their consistent, hands-on involvement is what brings our mission to life. 

Volunteering in action

Jen Lukat, Executive Director and Head of Retail Credit, has firsthand experience with the meaningful ways we engage with Habitat projects in communities such as Columbus, Ohio, and South Central Pennsylvania. One of her most impactful experiences was through the Women's Build project, an annual Habitat event in Columbus that offers women experience in hands-on construction work.

"I got to host a group at the Women's Build project here in Columbus that Habitat does every year," Lukat shares. "As a member of LEAD for Women, one of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at Northwest, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to pair our ERGs with volunteering. Not only did we help build a home, but we also built camaraderie and strengthened our own team's connections."

Northwest's approach goes beyond traditional homebuilding projects. The bank also actively supports local Habitat ReStores — retail outlets that sell donated home improvement items to fund Habitat's mission. Lukat describes volunteering at these stores as a meaningful extension of employees' work.

"Northwest has done several playhouse builds, too, which not only collaborated with Habitat but got people from across the entire bank involved. These projects help fund larger home builds and create opportunities for everyone to participate, regardless of construction experience," says Lukat.

Honoring a legacy of leadership

In Muncie, Indiana, the connection between Northwest Bank and Habitat for Humanity is particularly profound. Owen LaChat, Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer, serves on the board of Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity. LaChat brings personal history and deep community knowledge to this role, having first volunteered with Habitat nearly 30 years ago during a high school service project.

"When you volunteer with Habitat, you see your impact immediately," LaChat says. "You frame up the walls, and by the end of the day, you've literally helped build someone's home."

LaChat also highlights the Pat Botts Memorial Build, a poignant example of how deeply intertwined personal legacies and community impact can be. Botts, former president of Mutual Bank, which was acquired by Northwest in 2020, was enormously dedicated to community involvement. He passed away shortly before the merger. The memorial build was funded primarily by our foundation, honoring Botts' commitment to the community and leaving a tangible legacy.

"Pat was an incredible leader and community advocate," LaChat recalls. "Honoring him with this Habitat build was special. It brought together his legacy and our ongoing commitment to community service. He exemplified what community banking and community involvement should look like."

Why housing stability matters

Our community-driven philosophy aligns perfectly with Habitat for Humanity's mission, particularly in Muncie, where LaChat emphasizes the importance of stable housing for economic and community stability. "A home is a central tenet of stability and growth," he says. "When families have stable housing, they can lay down roots, build long-term connections, and contribute positively to their communities."

This sentiment resonates beyond Muncie. Across all communities where we operate, the importance of providing safe, stable and affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity projects directly correlates to community health and economic vitality. By participating in Habitat's mission, we are actively investing in the long-term prosperity of the communities it serves.

Banking on community

Our work is a reflection of our values as well as a practical strategy for nurturing trust with customers and building a future-ready workforce. By encouraging employees to show up for their neighborhoods, we have strengthened community relationships, which extend far beyond the branch. These volunteer experiences have proven to foster leadership, teamwork and a sense of pride that strengthens not only community ties but also employee morale.

In an era when financial institutions are increasingly expected to demonstrate their role in social and economic development, we remain a model of what true community banking looks like. For our leadership and employees, it is not just about dollars or donations. It is about presence, participation and a longstanding belief that people thrive when their communities do.

Join Northwest Bank in building stronger communities

At Northwest Bank, community involvement is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are looking to buy your first home, manage your finances more effectively or get involved in meaningful community initiatives, our dedicated team is here to support your journey. Visit us online or stop by your local financial center to learn how we can help you achieve your financial goals and contribute positively to your community.