Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Employee Giving Program Tops $500,000

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust says its employee-driven charitable giving program has now surpassed a major milestone, contributing more than $500,000 to nonprofit organizations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont since the initiative began in 2018.

The program, known as Casual for a Cause, has generated $519,575 in donations to more than 200 nonprofits, including contributions made during the second quarter of 2026.

Through the program, participating employees make bi-weekly payroll contributions in exchange for being able to dress casually on Fridays. Those donations are pooled together, and employees vote each quarter on which community organizations should receive funding.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust says roughly 80% of its employees currently participate in the program.

“Casual for a Cause is truly a reflection of who we are as a company,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “This milestone is a testament to our colleagues’ remarkable generosity and consistency.”

Since its launch, the program has supported organizations throughout the communities served by the bank, including food pantries, libraries, senior centers, hospitals, youth programs, arts organizations, community service groups and animal shelters.

Jack Frost, Vice President and Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, said the program has grown far beyond what he originally expected.

“The idea that we’ve reached $500,000 in donations this quickly is beyond anything I could’ve expected when we launched Casual for a Cause eight years ago,” Frost said.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust says the program has become an important part of its company culture, giving employees a direct role in supporting organizations throughout Northern New England.