EFFINGHAM, Ill. – August 11, 2026 – Midland States Bank is proud to award $97,500 in grants to 13 nonprofit organizations across its footprint. Each grant winner will receive $7,500 to support work that strengthens communities through education, financial empowerment, health and wellness, housing, small business development and community stability.
“Supporting the communities we serve has long been part of who we are at Midland,” said Jeffrey G. Ludwig, Chief Executive Officer of Midland States Bank. “The Midland States Bank Foundation, together with our Community Impact Investment Statement, reflects our commitment to helping strengthen the communities where our customers, employees, and neighbors live and work.”
The Midland States Bank Foundation supports the general welfare, education and health of the communities where the Bank operates. Since its creation in 2011, the Foundation has donated over $2.8 million to non-profit organizations throughout Midland’s footprint.
Learn more about Midland’s community focus at midlandsb.com/about-us.
Spring 2026 Award Cycle Grant Winners
Footprint-Wide
- Allies for Community Business
Funds will support small business development programming that provides entrepreneurs with access to capital, coaching, and business resources. Through lending and technical assistance, the organization helps create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and expand economic opportunities in underserved communities.
Eastern Region
- South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association
Funding will support inclusive economic development strategies that help grow businesses, strengthen the regional economy and expand access to living-wage jobs in south suburban communities. - Rialto Square Theatre Foundation
Grant funds will help provide complimentary event tickets to underprivileged youth and community members through partnerships with the Joliet Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, Guardian Angel Services and charitable fundraising events. - AllenForce
Funding will support injured veterans and their families by helping provide access to AllenForce’s facility, adaptive recreation resources, supplies and professional facilitators for its Frequency Healing Program.
Northern Region
- Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse
Grant funds will support educational programming, workshops, curriculum, outings and skill-building opportunities that help individuals with brain injuries strengthen independence and daily living skills. - Severson Dells Education Foundation
Funding will support nature-based STEM education for more than 2,500 students across the Rockford region, helping local school districts access field trip experiences and environmental learning programs. - Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation
Grant funds will help purchase training manuals for adult and teen Mental Health First Aid trainings, expanding access to mental health education and suicide prevention resources. - United Way of Boone County IL
Funds will support Financial Resilience classes to help participants strengthen budgeting, financial planning, and money management skills. The program removes barriers to participation while providing practical tools, coaching, and support that promote long-term financial stability and self-sufficiency.
Southern Region
- Crisis Nursery (Champaign)
Grant funds will support the Safe Children Program, which provides 24-hour emergency childcare for Champaign-area children from birth through age six when families are experiencing crisis such as homelessness, domestic violence or medical emergencies. The program offers a safe and nurturing environment for children while helping families and stabilize and access needed resources. - Effingham Imagination Library
Funding will help the program continue providing age-appropriate books to children birth through age five across Effingham County, supporting early literacy and kindergarten readiness for families in the Effingham area. - Discovery Christian School
Grant funds will help cover curriculum enhancements, educational technology and tuition assistance to support classroom learning and help keep tuition accessible for families.
St. Louis Region
- Our Lady’s Inn
Funds will support shelter, housing, and wraparound services for pregnant women and children experiencing housing instability. The program provides safe housing, parenting support, counseling, employment assistance, and other resources that help families achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency. - Louis Art Place Initiative Inc.
Funds will support the Homes for Artists program, which develops affordable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income artists while providing homebuyer education and financial readiness assistance. The initiative promotes neighborhood revitalization, housing stability, and wealth-building opportunities through homeownership.
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About Midland States Bancorp, Inc.
Midland States Bancorp, Inc. is a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, and is the sole shareholder of Midland States Bank. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had total assets of approximately $6.70 billion, and its Wealth Management Group had assets under administration of approximately $4.78 billion. The Company provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services, merchant credit card services, trust and investment management, insurance and financial planning services. For additional information, visit midlandsb.com or follow Midland States Bank on LinkedIn.