New York, NY — April 15, 2026 — Virtual Enterprises International (VE) is proud to announce a $75,000 investment from Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI) (NYSE: CBU), strengthening a valued partnership dedicated to preparing students for success in college, careers, and the modern workforce. This expanded support will help grow VE’s experiential learning programs in upstate New York schools, providing students with hands-on opportunities to develop critical business, leadership, and career readiness skills. Through VE’s innovative model, middle and high school students gain real-world experience by launching and managing student-run businesses, collaborating in teams, and engaging with industry professionals. The program equips students with essential competencies such as financial literacy, communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking, skills that are increasingly important in today’s evolving workforce.
Community Financial System’s investment reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening communities by supporting educational programs that create pathways to economic opportunity for young people.
“Community Financial System’s continued partnership allows us to expand our reach and bring transformative learning experiences to even more students across upstate New York,” said John Widlund, CEO of Virtual Enterprises International. “By connecting classroom learning to real-world business experiences, students build confidence, develop practical, durable skills, and envision meaningful futures in college and the workforce.”
“At Community Financial System, Inc., we believe strong communities are built through intentional investment in education, workforce development, and the future of small business,” said Maureen Gillan-Myer, Chief Human Resources Officer at Community Financial System and a member of the VEI Board of Directors. “Virtual Enterprises bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience, equipping students with the practical skills, professional networks, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed. We are proud to support a program that not only prepares students for today’s workforce but also helps cultivate the next generation of business leaders and small business owners across the communities we serve through all our CFSI business units.”
Through this collaboration, VE and Community Financial System will continue expanding access to experiential learning opportunities for students in upstate New York, helping them build the skills, networks, and confidence needed to thrive in college, careers, and their communities.
About Virtual Enterprises International (VE)
Virtual Enterprises International is a national educational nonprofit that transforms students through authentic business experiences into young professionals, preparing them for fulfilling futures in college and careers. Since its founding in 1996, VE has served more than 350,000 students across the United States through immersive, hands-on programs that develop real-world skills in entrepreneurship, business management, financial literacy, and workplace leadership.
About Community Financial System Inc.
Community Financial System Inc. is a diversified financial services company focused on four main business lines: banking, employee benefit services, insurance services and wealth management. Its banking subsidiary, Community Bank N.A., is among the country’s 100 largest banking institutions, with over $16 billion in assets, and operates approximately 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, Western Massachusetts, and Southern New Hampshire. The company’s Benefit Plans Administrative Services Inc. subsidiary is a leading provider of employee benefits administration, trust services, collective investment fund administration, and actuarial consulting services to customers on a national scale. The company’s OneGroup NY Inc. subsidiary is a top-68 U.S. insurance agency. The company also offers comprehensive financial planning, trust administration and wealth management services through its Wealth Management operating unit. For more information about Community Financial System, visit communityfinancialsystem.com.