PAYING IT FORWARD PAYS OFF

Bell Bank’s employee-dcriven philanthropy program benefits the community—and the company.

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GIVING AWAY 20 MILLION ISN’T ENOUGH FOR MICHAEL SOLBERG, Bell Bank president and CEOQ—he wants to give away $100 million. It all stems from Bell Bank’s 15-year-strong Pay It Forward initiative, which allots every full-time employee a 1,000 annual grant, and part-time employees 500, to distribute to a charitable organization or individual in need. We started the program to try to make an impact and celebrate a great year,” Solberg says. It was so successful, we made it an annual tradition.”

Since the program’s inception in 2008, employees have woven Pay It Forward into the company culture. Some have chosen to fund traditional nonprofit charities, while others have supported individuals experiencing hardships.