OUR BLOG

Honoring Valley Bank

When a Bank Sees Art as an Investment in the Future

In a time when arts programs frequently face budget cuts, Valley Bank has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting the arts. For over a decade, Valley Bank has partnered with the Institute of Music for Children to fund scholarships, provide equipment and infrastructure, and create innovative programs that ensure every child has access to the arts, regardless of their income or background.

During Cherish the Arts 2025, the Institute honored Valley Bank for a decade of steadfast support, partnership, and lasting impact. “Your commitment has helped our mission soar and transform lives,” said Alysia Souder, Executive Director of the Institute of Music for Children, during the awards ceremony. 

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

“For us it’s important to support the Institute because the arts are diminishing—especially for children—and the work they’ve been doing is incredible for people who previously had no access to it,” said Bernadette Mueller, Executive Vice President & Chief Corporate Social Responsibility - Community Reinvestment Officer at Valley Bank.

The relationship between Valley Bank and the Institute goes beyond mere grants and sponsorship; it embodies a shared belief that creativity enhances community well-being. As funding for arts education continues to decline across the nation, Valley Bank's support has enabled us to maintain and expand essential programs for hundreds of students each year. Employees at Valley Bank play an active role in the company's mission by volunteering at all our events from 2021.

Valley’s support initially began with funding a scholarship program to provide children with special needs access to arts education at the institute. Over time, their support has evolved into a continuous funding stream, now representing the largest investment from a private corporation to the Institute.

Valley Bank’s funding pillars focus on promoting affordable housing, stimulating economic growth and community development by supporting small businesses and underserved neighborhoods, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and driving impactful local leadership through nonprofit engagement. In 2024, the bank reported more than $5.6 million in total charitable giving to support nonprofit organizations.

Sustaining the Arts Through Times of Uncertainty

Economic uncertainty has put additional pressure on nonprofits across New Jersey, especially organizations like the Institute that depend on tuition assistance to support families in need. Valley Bank’s consistent support has provided a valuable sense of stability, allowing programs in music, dance, visual arts, and theatre to continue without interruption.

In an environment where arts education is often viewed as expendable, Valley Bank’s leadership presents a different perspective: creativity is not a luxury but a necessity for thriving communities. Their ongoing partnership helps us remain a place where children can explore their talents, discover their voices, and envision new possibilities for their futures.

The story of Valley Bank and the Institute of Music for Children is fundamentally about trust—the trust between a local institution and the community it serves. This partnership illustrates how businesses and the arts can collaborate to create something that lasts.