Jersey City, N.J. – September 23, 2015 – Saint Peter’s University today announced that The Provident Bank Foundation has provided a grant in the amount of $100,000 to the Ignite Institute at Saint Peter’s University. The Ignite Institute, a new Center of Excellence at Saint Peter’s University, is poised to harness the energy of the growing entrepreneurial community in the Jersey City area. The Institute plans to work with local organizations to provide resources, training and education to micro-entrepreneurs, who in turn are helping to transform urban neighborhoods with their successful businesses. The grant is the second of the three $100,000 “Signature” grants from The Provident Bank Foundation —one in each of its three funding priority areas: community enrichment, education, and health, youth & families — that the Foundation will make in 2015.
“The mission of The Ignite Institute is rooted in positive community change and support for aspiring and rising entrepreneurs,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “The Institute’s mission is directly aligned with the objectives of The Provident Bank Foundation’s Signature Grant Program and we are very grateful to the Foundation for selecting the Ignite Institute at Saint Peter’s University as the recipient of this grant. We look forward to what the Institute will be able to accomplish as a result.”
“The Ignite Institute works to help aspiring and low-resourced entrepreneurs succeed. Their work focuses directly on the local economy and the impact local entrepreneurs – and local businesses – can have,” said Chris Martin, president of The Provident Bank Foundation. “We look forward to seeing the impact that the Ignite Institute’s innovative approach makes and we are pleased to be part of this program’s growth.”
More information about the Ignite Institute is available at https://www.saintpeters.edu/ignite-institute/, or by calling (201) 761-6393. For more information about The Provident Bank Foundation, visit www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org.
# # end # #
Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit www.saintpeters.edu.
The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by The Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other organizations that provide services in communities served by the bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $19 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information about The Provident Bank Foundation, visit www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.
Media Contact
Angeline Boyer
aboyer1@saintpeters.edu
(201) 761-6238