On May 6, 2011 United Way Worldwide honored U.S. Bank with the 2011 Spirit of America® Award to recognize the company and its employees’ commitment to improving the lives of individuals, families and local communities.
“At a time when many families need extra help, U.S. Bank has demonstrated true leadership by dedicating their resources and people to improve financial stability through program grants, training, financial education and assistance, community service, and more,” said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. “Their commitment is truly improving lives”
As part of the 2010 U.S. Bank United Way campaign, Richard Davis, chairman, president and chief executive officer for U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of U.S. Bank, called U.S. Bank employees to action, asking them to "Dare to Dream” of a community where everyone could live a healthy life. Employees responded wholeheartedly, leading U.S. Bank to a $12.5 million United Way campaign – an 11% increase from the previous year. In 2010, U.S. Bank provided $38 million in total charitable giving (including United Way), an increase of 24%. Further, over 36,000 U.S. Bank employees (60%) volunteered, helping hundreds of thousands of people with home buying, basic banking and more.
“It is an honor to be recognized by United Way, an organization that truly makes a difference by providing a wide variety of services and assistance to those in need in communities across the country,” said Davis. “I am especially proud of our employees whose contributions, service and partnership with United Way have helped to make our communities stronger, healthier and more vibrant places to live, work and play.”
U.S. Bank provided $25.8 million to support programs focused on financial education, job training, affordable housing and more – representing 75% of the bank’s overall charitable giving. Plus, U.S. Bank boosted its fundraising efforts for United Way and 25,000 other qualifying charities by offering triple FlexPoints to customers who used their FlexPerks Visa card to make charitable contributions. Donations made via the card increased overall by 22% and donations specifically to United Way increased 45%.
The Spirit of America, now in its 24th year, is United Way’s highest national honor for a corporation, recognizing the United Way Global Corporate Leadership company with the most comprehensive commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities. Applicants are evaluated by corporate peers, labor representatives and local United Ways.
Locally, U.S. Bank raised $74,897 for United Way of Southern Kentucky as part of their 2010/11 campaign. Combining this with U.S. Bank's local employee volunteer efforts to support United Way through participation on United Way allocations teams, Volunteer Committees, "Feed the Need" Regional Food Drive, Day of Caring, Leadership Circle events, Campaign Kick-Off events, agency tours, and campaign Speaker's Bureau paved the way for U.S. Bank to be recognized as the 2010/11 United Way of Southern Kentucky LIVE UNITED award recipient - the most prestigious corporate award given annually by UWSK. In addition to U.S. Bank’s local campaign and volunteer efforts in Southern Kentucky, U.S. Bank also hosts the largest annual special event to benefit UWSK: U.S. Bank's Balloons, Tunes and BBQ.
Doug Eberhart, President of United Way of Southern Kentucky, says, "We are proud of the U.S. Bank and United Way partnership and its many accomplishments. U.S. Bank is a strong community partner not only in our region but throughout the country. They demonstrate the ideal of LIVE UNITED by donating their time, talent and expertise to provide help to those in need.”
Craig Browning, Southcentral Kentucky Regional President of U.S. Bank, summarized his thoughts, “I was deeply humbled to be invited as a member of the U.S. Bank team to receive the national Spirit of America Award on behalf of our colleagues. The members of our U.S. Bank family have proven time and again, with sincerity and humility, a great understanding and appreciation for the need to give, advocate, and volunteer. We encourage everyone to recognize the difference one person can make in the fight to counter the most critical needs in our community. We should all pledge to Live United.”