MHSA’s 13th Annual Spring Fundraising Event, Home for Good: Solutions Start Here, will be held tomorrow, May 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Boston. Today, we conclude this year’s Spotlight on the Honorees blog series with an interview with honoree Santander Bank, N.A.
About Santander Bank, N.A.
Santander Bank is one of the country’s top retail and commercial banks by deposits and a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A. – one of the most respected banking groups in the world. With their corporate offices in Boston, Santander Bank’s more than 670 branches and nearly 2,100 ATMs are principally located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The Bank’s 9,400 employees are committed to helping its 2.1 million customers make progress toward their financial goals with the support of their call centers, interactive online banking platform and easy-to-use mobile app. Santander Bank believes in investing in programs that make a measurable difference for underserved individuals and communities throughout its footprint. Their charitable contributions program demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to help build strong neighborhoods and support people with effective, community-based programs, committing over $5.3 billion the past three years to meet credit and financial service needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and businesses. In 2015, Santander also awarded more than $4.5 million in charitable grants to 286 nonprofit organizations to support financial education, neighborhood revitalization, community services and affordable housing initiatives in the communities where their customers and colleagues live and work.
MHSA will honor Santander Bank, N.A., Jerry Ray of Mental Health Association, Inc. and Goulston & Storrs on May 12 at the Hyatt Regency Boston. For information about tickets and sponsorships, visit the event page or contact Kendra Hanlon at khanlon@mhsa.net or 617-367-6447 ext. 18.
What motivates your dedication to ending homelessness?
One of the focus areas for Santander Bank’s Charitable Giving is housing. Our giving supports a continuum of care from homelessness prevention to affordable home ownership. The lack of adequate housing can have significant impacts on an individual’s overall health and well-being, and we want to support programs that provide stable housing to those in need. We support MHSA in its work because we know that MHSA is working to house some of the poorest and most vulnerable individuals in Massachusetts.
Why did Santander Bank, N.A. become an investor in the Commonwealth’s Pay for Success initiative?
Pay for Success is a relatively new and innovative funding model for the social sector. This model has given us the chance to provide upfront capital to support a highly effective organization like MHSA in its effort to make an impact on homelessness in Massachusetts. It is exciting for us to take part in an initiative that is scaling to be a national model.
What role should business principles play in the nonprofit sector?
Just as businesses evaluate metrics and success of products and programs, the same rigor should be used in the nonprofit sector. It is the responsibility of corporate funders like Santander Bank to invest in programs that have proven impact. Nonprofits should be able to tell that story and share their strategic vision for future impact.
What does this award mean to Santander Bank, N.A.?
This award is a great honor to Santander Bank. As a company, we believe in creating a corporate culture that embodies responsibility and citizenship. Through our volunteering and giving, we strive to make an impact in communities where we live and work. We know the work MHSA does is making a meaningful difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts, and we are proud to be MHSA’s partner.
Join us on May 12 to recognize Goulston & Storrs, Jerry Ray of Mental Health Association, Inc. and Santander Bank, N.A.! Learn more about sponsoring or attending Home for Good: Solutions Start Here.