Essex - Essex Savings Bank announced this week that by the end of the year it will have reached the $4 million plateau in the lifetime of its annual Community Investment Program.

The announcement comes as it gears up for another round of voting by its customers that helps determine how much funding local organizations will receive in 2015. This year, 90 organizations have qualified for the ballot, including several historical groups, specialized schools, ambulance and fire companies as well as cultural, environmental and wildlife-related nonprofits.

The bank contributes 10 percent of its after-tax profits to groups in the eight-town market served by the more than century-old financial institution.

The towns are Chester, Deep River, Essex, Lyme, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.

"We are extremely proud of the contribution milestone we are reaching in support of our Community Investment Program in our 164th year," said Gregory R. Shook, president and chief executive officer of Essex Savings Bank, in a statement.

The investment program, began in 1996, and today 30 percent of the distributions are determined by customers who vote for their three favorite causes. Balloting this year will occur between Feb. 2 and March 2.

The bank's directors and executives determine the rest of the allocation. Each year, more than 200 organizations win support from Essex Savings Bank.

Last year, the bank announced it gave $224,000 to local nonprofits.

The mutual savings bank has two offices in Essex and one each in Chester, Madison, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.

l.howard@theday.com

Twitter: @KingstonLeeHow