The U.S. Bank Foundation has recently awarded over $16.5 million in grants through its Community Possible initiative, benefiting around 500 nonprofit organizations. These contributions will continue throughout the year. The Community Possible program—focused on employment, housing, and cultural engagement—supports nonprofit efforts that strengthen the communities served by U.S. Bank.

Community affairs managers at U.S. Bank play a key role by working with employees, nonprofit partners, and local leaders to identify how the foundation can make the most impact. As they build relationships and encourage collaboration across the initiative’s core themes—work, home, and play—three managers shared how the program creates meaningful, lasting change and why it resonates with them on a personal level.

Pam Maxwell – Community Affairs Manager for Rural California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Tribal Areas:
Reflecting on her childhood in what was then a small-town Napa, California, Pam recalls walking downtown with her grandmother, who seemed to know everyone—likely because she and Pam’s grandfather ran a local flower and gift shop, Herritt’s Flowers & Gifts. After her grandfather’s passing, the business remained in the family for decades, with everyone pitching in, including Pam herself. Her mother eventually closed the store after 58 years, but the community still remembers it fondly.

Pam believes entrepreneurs are vital to rural communities. They foster local connections, support networks, and enduring cultural identities. Her visit to Great Falls, Montana, and the local Development Authority reminded her of the close-knit, supportive environment she grew up in. Organizations like these help spur economic growth in longstanding rural populations while also attracting new residents to these beautiful regions.

Jeffery Mills – Community Affairs Manager for Kentucky and Tennessee:
Jeffery finds deep fulfillment in supporting groups focused on increasing homeownership. There’s a tangible sense of progress when seeing new homeowners work toward securing housing or witnessing homes being built. U.S. Bank has supported numerous Habitat for Humanity branches, and Jeffery himself has served on several Habitat boards.

When he was first invited to join a Habitat board, it wasn’t for his building skills, but for his financial expertise. One of the most impactful experiences of his career was participating in the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, where he helped construct multiple homes in a short time—a moment he describes as an honor.

Enrique Meza – Community Affairs Manager for San Diego:
For Enrique, supporting play-based initiatives is deeply personal, especially in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego where he moved 25 years ago. While the area is known for its rich cultural diversity, it also lacked safe and inclusive spaces for children and families to play and connect.

He emphasizes that play goes beyond just fun—it’s essential to community well-being, child development, and social bonding. In neighborhoods like City Heights, where access to parks and after-school programs is limited, investments in youth spaces can create real change.

One of the key organizations Enrique partners with is Access Youth Academy, located in City Heights. The academy offers a holistic development program that includes academic tutoring, mentoring, health and wellness, leadership training, and athletic instruction in squash and pickleball. Designed for youth from under-resourced backgrounds, the program not only builds discipline and self-confidence but also helps students pursue higher education and future success.

U.S. Bank is proudly backing the FireAid benefit concert, set for Thursday, January 30, at both the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. This star-studded event will feature top musical and entertainment acts to raise funds for rebuilding communities impacted by wildfires and to support fire prevention initiatives throughout Southern California.

Donations made to FireAid through the concert, along with other contributions, will be distributed with guidance from the Annenberg Foundation. With its long-standing philanthropic leadership in Los Angeles, the foundation will coordinate the allocation of funds for maximum impact. All proceeds from ticket sales will directly support FireAid's relief efforts, with all venue and ticketing service fees waived for the event.

The one-night event will begin at 6 p.m. PT at the Kia Forum and at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Intuit Dome. Performances will include Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Tate McRae at the Intuit Dome, while the Kia Forum will host Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, and The Black Crowes. U.S. Bank has also donated tickets to members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, city officials, and affected U.S. Bank employees and small business clients.

Carl Jordan, executive vice president and California regional leader for U.S. Bank, stated, “The California community needs our collective support now more than ever. U.S. Bank has been part of Los Angeles for nearly 30 years, and we stand strong with the community during these difficult times. Our partnership with FireAid for this night of music and solidarity is part of our commitment to support the recovery and rebuilding of the regions impacted by the fires, and it also allows us to offer tickets to those directly affected, including LAFD members, small business customers, and our employees.”

FireAid will be broadcast and streamed live on multiple platforms, including Amazon Music/Prime Video, Apple Music, the AppleTV app, Disney+/Hulu, Facebook/Instagram, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Max, Netflix/Tudum, Paramount+, Peacock/NBC News Now, SiriusXM’s exclusive “LIFE with John Mayer” channel, SoundCloud, TikTok, Veeps, and YouTube. Select AMC Theatre locations will also host screenings, and iHeartRadio will air the event on over 860 radio stations, digital platforms, and the iHeartRadio app.

In addition to this event, U.S. Bank and four other major financial institutions are offering mortgage relief for homeowners in areas affected by the Los Angeles and Ventura County fires. The institutions are providing a 90-day forbearance on mortgage payments, with no impact on credit reports, and the possibility of further relief.

Earlier this month, U.S. Bank also donated $100,000 to the United Way of Los Angeles to support recovery efforts, and the U.S. Bank Foundation is matching employee donations to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region or United Way of Los Angeles at a 2:1 rate. Furthermore, the U.S. Bank ATM network continues to accept donations for American Red Cross disaster relief.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Bank announced a significant, long-term commitment to support the National Museum of Mexican Art, a centerpiece of Mexican culture in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The celebration brought together art, traditional Mexican food, and vibrant decorations, setting the stage for a discussion on Hispanic culture and the evolving Latino narrative in the U.S.
 
Over 125 U.S. Bank employees attended in person, with many more joining via livestream. This flagship Hispanic Heritage Month event, featuring Lyanne Alfaro—founder of Moneda Moves—alongside U.S. Bank leadership, highlighted the richness of Hispanic culture and success stories within the community. As a longstanding supporter of the museum, which houses one of the largest Mexican art collections in the nation, U.S. Bank emphasized its commitment to fostering cultural appreciation and community engagement.
 
Greg Cunningham, U.S. Bank’s Chief Diversity Officer, helped moderate the event, underscoring the museum’s role in preserving Mexican heritage across historical periods. “Supporting this museum is one of the ways we aim to enrich Hispanic and Latino communities within our reach,” Cunningham remarked, emphasizing the bank’s dedication to better serve Hispanic and Latino customers.
 
The event was co-hosted by Cunningham and U.S. Bank’s Chief Digital Officer, Dominic Venturo, in partnership with the bank’s Nosotros Latinos Business Resource Group.
 
Founded in 1987, the National Museum of Mexican Art educates and inspires through its extensive collection of Mexican art, educational programs, and artist support. With nearly $200,000 in support from the U.S. Bank Foundation since 2018, the museum has expanded its 20,000-piece collection, providing cultural programming to over 52,000 K-12 students each year. This 48,000-square-foot museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, spans ancient to contemporary Mexican art.
 
“Presenting exhibitions with cultural value is a unique responsibility we hold,” stated Jose Ochoa, President and CEO of the museum, highlighting the institution’s dedication to preserving and promoting Mexican culture and history.
 
U.S. Bank’s commitment extends to other cultural centers, with $1 million pledged to the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington D.C. and $150,000 to the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in California.
 
Lyanne Alfaro, a Chicago-based media expert and Marketing Manager at Google, was a guest speaker at the event. Having built her career in journalism, she discussed the contributions of Latinos in the U.S., focusing on generational wealth rooted in culture, community, and resilience. Alfaro’s session, joined by Oscar Martinez of Azteca Mufflers, Jose Ochoa, and U.S. Bank branch manager Cynthia Anthony, underscored the influence of Latino entrepreneurs, who accounted for 36% of new business launches in 2023.
 
Through its Access Commitment® initiative, U.S. Bank has expanded its services to better serve Hispanic customers, including a new bilingual mortgage officer cohort and bilingual business advisors across key states. The company has also introduced Spanish-language resources, such as the voice assistant Asistente Inteligente, to increase accessibility for Hispanic clients.