Mercantile Blog

Helping to Build with Faith

Written by Mercantile Bank | Jul 8, 2025 4:30:42 PM

Mercantile Supports $75,000 Affordable Housing Grant 

Strong partnerships have the power to create meaningful change. By helping to open the door to a $75,000 grant for ICCF Community Homes, an organization leading the charge in expanding access to affordable housing, we’re doing just that.

“Our work with ICCF goes beyond funding," said Sonali Allen, SVP, Community Development Officer at Mercantile Bank. "We’ve been partnering with ICCF for over 15 years to provide financial education and support services that help individuals and families not only find housing but enhance the tools they need to maintain long-term stability and independence."

In collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, the Community Multiplier grant will go toward the nonprofit’s Building with Faith capital campaign, a bold initiative to create 200 affordable homes in West Michigan over the next two to five years. The campaign is rooted in a unique and impactful approach—partnering with local churches to develop rental housing on underutilized land and provide homeownership opportunities.

Working with ICCF and investing in local housing is just one of the many ways we're helping our communities, and the people in them, thrive.


“The Building with Faith campaign builds on our proven track record of mobilizing our community to develop affordable housing. Our initiative partners with local congregations to activate their underutilized real estate resources, and this support from Mercantile Bank and the Community Multiplier program will help us to address our neighbor’s pressing housing needs."

- Ryan VerWys, CEO of ICCF Community Homes