The corporate culture of H Bancorp and its related entities places a high value on giving back to the communities we serve, as well as those in need far away. We do that via employee volunteerism, donations to local charities at the bank level, and international grant-making via the Hovde Foundation and Sunwest Bank Foundation.
The Eric D. and Steven D. Hovde Foundation supports two central missions – finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and helping children in desperate need. Hovde Houses are homes that provide shelter, supportive services, and love to vulnerable children. They offer a safe haven from injustice, neglect, malnutrition and other forms of abuse. With average capacity of 40-50 children, each house is operated by a carefully-selected local partner with professional experience providing appropriate cultural, physical, and psychological care for children in their community. To date, there are 10 Hovde Houses in Bolivia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda and the U.S. (in Madison, WI). Determined to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most, the Hovde Foundation builds hope and brings change by loving the world’s vulnerable children.
In December 2009, the Board of Directors of Sunwest Bank established the Sunwest Bank Charitable Foundation to further their mission of creating value for the neighborhoods and businesses it serves. The bank’s solution-driven, relationship-based approach to enhancing the community extends to the foundation, and the bank contributes to it annually as profitability allows. The foundation’s primary focus is the care vulnerable children and families. Since inception, grants have met food, housing, healthcare, safety, and education needs in Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah and Washington. Additionally, bank employees have volunteered their time and energy to non-profit organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Each year, the foundation provides around $0.5 million in grant funding and matching gifts. By fostering a charitable corporate culture and advancing the impact of effective aid organizations, the foundation strengthens families and builds prosperous communities.
