Give the gift that keeps on giving

Next year marks an important milestone for the Texas Bankers Foundation. The charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2021. What began as an effort to promote the Robbery Rewards Program and celebrate our 50-Year Bankers has grown to become so much more! From its financial literacy programs, scholarships and bank and banker recognitions, the Foundation’s list of initiatives continues to expand.

An example of the Foundation’s most recent initiatives and programs include:

• Creating Texas Banks 4 Food Banks to help Texans affected by the pandemic. The Foundation donated $26,000 on behalf of Texas banks to the Feeding Texas network of 21-member food banks that serve all 254 Texas counties. The Foundation encouraged banks and bankers to also donate, and more than $1 million was raised.
• As part of the Foundation’s mission to help Texas communities during disasters, the Foundation made a$26,000 donation to the LiftFund as part of the Texas Unity Grant pro-gram to support minority and women-owned small businesses.
• In 2019, the Foundation launched the 4-H & FFA Financial Literacy Grant Program that gives bankers an opportunity to bring important financial education lessons to youths in their communities and to also provide the group with a$250 grant. In the first seven months of the program, 20 grants were awarded and more than 600 youth received a financial lesson.
• In the last two years, the Foundation has honored 19 outstanding individuals with an Emerging Leader Award. Bank presidents/CEOs are given the opportunity to recognize and encourage employees they believe are rising leaders of their banks and the Texas banking industry. These individuals are already making a difference in the industry.

I think it’s safe to say the Foundation has touched every one of our communities and many of our employees. Many of you have benefited from a scholarship to one of our prestigious graduate schools of banking, including SWGSB, Louisiana State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and ABA Stonier. During the devastation in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, more than $1.6 million in contributions were raised and every penny went to those in need. Most of the recipients of these funds were affected bankers and their families.

Through TBA CARES (Crisis Assistance, Response and Emergency Support) program, the Foundation works with TBA-member community banks in impacted areas to make donations to local organizations following floods, tornados and other natural disasters and tragedies.

These initiatives are primarily funded through donations from caring banks and bankers like your-selves. Late last month, the Foundation held a very successful silent auction that went a long way toward covering many of the costs associated with supporting these beneficial initiatives. Thanks to those of you who contributed items.

But we need additional funds if we are to continue offering these very beneficial programs. Each fall, the Texas Bankers Foundation holds an annual fundraising campaign, reaching out to TBA members to request your philanthropic support for Texas banks, their employees and the communities they serve. This year, they need your help more than ever!

The Foundation is asking that you and/or your bank consider making a corporate or personal contribution to support the Foundation’s programs in 2021. You will soon receive a flyer, donation form and return envelope in the mail. Online donations can also be made via PayPal at www.texasbankers.com/TBFdonate.

For nearly 30 years, the Texas Bankers Foundation has served as the philanthropic arm of TBA. As we prepare to enjoy our Thanksgiving holidays during this extremely difficult year, I ask that you consider giving thanks to the Foundation by making a contribution. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!