Every year, organizations ranging from small to large partner with Greater Twin Cities United Way to create positive change in our community. Our company partners are a highly valued and critical part of our mission, investing their time through rewarding, team-building volunteer projects and their dollars through United Way workplace campaigns and corporate sponsorships.
One of those key company partners is U.S. Bank, which invested $2.3 million in the community through Greater Twin Cities United Way in 2018. This generous gift supports over 37,000 individuals in our community, including:
Through its employee giving campaign U.S. Bank provided funding to boost Greater Twin Cities United Way’s work in housing stability. We know that more than 9,000 people currently experience homelessness in the state of Minnesota.
“Home is part of our Community Possible giving and engagement platform, which also includes Work and Play. With Home, we believe every individual and family deserves access to safe, accessible and affordable homes. Through our longstanding partnership with GTCUW and the valuable engagement of our employees, we have been working to close historic gaps in home ownership and affordable housing,” said Reba Dominski, Chief Social Responsibility Officer and President, U.S. Bank Foundation. Dominski is also on the Greater Twin Cities United Way Board of Directors.
Another consistent characteristic of U.S. Bank’s involvement with United Way over the years has been employee engagement. Greater Twin Cities United Way’s signature volunteer event in housing stability is Home for Good, where volunteers help assemble “welcome home kits” containing basic household supplies for 500 families exiting homelessness. Last year, more than 100 U.S. Bank employees volunteered 270 hours at Home for Good.
“When I volunteered at Home for Good, I felt a great sense of pride because I knew I was making a difference,” said Moises Hernandez, U.S. Bank Assistant Branch Manager. “I really identified with the cause and felt connected to our community- I hope to inspire others to help, too.”
In September 2018, over 200 U.S. Bank volunteers completed onsite projects at their workplaces, packing healthy snack packs, tying fleece blankets and packing homework helper kits for four of United Way’s agency partners that receiving funding in the area of housing stability, including The Link, Project for Pride in Living, YouthLink, and Cornerstone Advocacy Services. Collectively, these volunteers spent nearly 90 hours packing close to 1,200 kits and tying more than 100 fleece blankets.
In 2018, U.S. Bank employees volunteered over 400 hours at a variety of projects benefitting United Way’s housing stability work, valued at over $10,000 in community benefits.
Furthermore, U.S. Bank participates in Greater Twin Cities United Way’s Leaders United program, a leadership development and service opportunity for community changemakers. Recently, U.S. Bank’s Leaders United participants completed a skills-based project for Hope 4 Youth, a United Way partner that provides pathways to end youth homelessness in our community.
Inspired? Your company can volunteer, partner, fundraise or do any combination of these – our team is ready to help you set up a successful workplace campaign. We know that every company is different and will help customize your messaging and activities to keep everyone engaged and excited about contributing to our community! To get involved, visit our Company Partners page.
