Local bankers raise $350,000 for nonprofits

Charlotte's financial services industry raised $350,000 for seven local nonprofits during the annual "Banking On Our Community" event last week.

Kelligrew (Stephanie Chesson Photography)

The event, which is in its third year, was held Thursday at the Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte. The amount raised this year exceeded last year's level by $50,000.

“Charlotte’s nonprofit sector took a hit during the recession, limiting the breadth of essential services it could provide," Jim Kelligrew, an executive for U.S. Bancorp, said in a statement. "Now that the economy’s back on track, it’s important for our region’s vibrant financial services industry to band together and invest in our community."

Kelligrew, who is based in Charlotte and heads the bank's fixed income and capital markets group, came up with the idea for the event. He and Wells Fargo executive Lisa DeCarlo have co-chaired the event since its launch.

Over the past three years, the event has raised about $900,000 for nonprofits in Charlotte, according to a news release.

More than 250 members of the financial services community attended Thursday's event. The funds raised will go to Autism Charlotte, Charlotte Bridge Home, Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, the John Crosland School, Lily Pad Haven, Mint Museum and the United Way of Central Carolinas.