BEST COMPANIES

At GreatAmerica Financial Services, community impact is a core pillar that shapes how the company operates, engages and grows.

While the firm is the largest family-owned national commercial equipment finance company in the United States — with life-to-date originations of $19.4 billion — its leadership believes that giving back is a critical measure of long-term success. This commitment is embedded in the company’s culture and leadership philosophy, creating an environment where service to others is encouraged, supported and celebrated. 

The cornerstone of this strategy is the Employee Advised Fund (EAF), a model that decentralizes philanthropy by empowering team members to direct charitable dollars themselves. Over the past year, the EAF distributed more than $1.1 million to dozens of nonprofits, addressing localized needs in youth development, education, housing, food security and mental health services. By allowing employees to guide these contributions, GreatAmerica ensures that its philanthropy is personal and participatory rather than top-down. This is further bolstered by a Donor Advised Fund that provides additional strategic support to organizations across Eastern Iowa.

Beyond financial contributions, GreatAmerica’s strategy emphasizes deep, hands-on stewardship. The company’s leadership views service as a part of everyday work life, encouraging employees to volunteer and serve on nonprofit boards. To support this, GreatAmerica offers a unique Paid Volunteer Time Off program, which matches an employee’s earned vacation time with additional company-paid time specifically for service activities.

Established in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1992, GreatAmerica has grown into a $3.5 billion-plus institution by helping manufacturers, distributors and resellers succeed. However, by embedding service into its cultural fabric and empowering its workforce to lead its charitable mission, the firm remains most significantly a leader in corporate citizenship. This holistic approach ensures a deeply engaged workforce that is consistently inspired to build a better future for the communities they call home.