“There are many people in our communities that do not have a future as bright as ours. They may be our friends and neighbors or someone we have never met. Regardless, they are people who need help and who are depending on us,” says Richard Holt, Dallas market president for Bank of America. This philosophy explains why Bank of America is a committed partner with United Way — nationally and locally.
In the Dallas Metroplex, Bank of America leaders work with more than 400 team leaders to bring the United Way message to more than 20,000 associates throughout the North Texas region. Holt says, “Everyone has a private reason for giving. Everything from cancer care to disaster relief, to the needs of children and seniors is important to us on many levels. Giving a little inspires a lot of hope.” Bank of America raised more than $1.6 million in 2009 — the sixth-largest campaign in the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas region.
Bank of America associates at their 2009 United Way Day of Caring, held at UCP of Metropolitan Dallas
Bank of America launched the Volunteer Engagement program for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas in 2008 and continues to support this program throughout 2010. Bank of America support includes Volunteer Solutions, an online tool that enables social service providers and volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities to connect with each other. Between January 2009 and May 2010, more than 325 volunteers used this tool to find more than 650 opportunities with 60 local service providers.
Nationally, Bank of America has partnered with United Way for more than 70 years to address critical needs in the communities it serves. Through the innovative United Way Financial Stability Partnership, Bank of America assists low-income individuals and families across the U.S. Bank associates also donated more than $24 million to the United Way annual campaign in 2009, making Bank of America the number one financial institution and fifth overall corporate supporter of United Way.
Bank of America believes that a healthy community is a good place to do business – for customers, associates and shareholders. The company’s commitment to neighborhood excellence leads it to creates meaningful change in the communities they serve by partnering with local leadership teams to identify critical issues in our communities and to direct resources to address them. Especially during challenging economic times, Bank of America believes that corporate leadership is critical to helping families and individuals that face significant pressures.
Bank of America associates who serve in key United Way of Metropolitan Dallas volunteer leadership positions include:
- Richard Holt, Dallas market president: United 2020 Blue Ribbon Commission
- Gillian Breidenbach, senior vice president, Dallas/Fort Worth local market delivery manager: Board of Directors, Brand Leadership Council (chair)
- Emily Horner, vice president, business banking senior client manager: Volunteer Engagement Cabinet
- Veronica Garcia, sales service specialist: Earn It! Keep It! Save It! volunteer
- Michael Simpton, analyst: Earn It! Keep It! Save It! volunteer
- Lisa Cochran, senior vice president, service delivery executive: Priority Needs Grants volunteer
- John Todd, executive vice president: Priority Needs Grants volunteer
