In 2009, the Jacksonville-based
EverBank started a major initiative to support The Bridge of Northeast Florida,
a non-profit agency dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk children. Later
that same year, the University of North Florida launched a $110 million
campaign titled The Power of Transformation.For Blake Wilson, president and CFO of EverBank, the connection between the
two organizations was obvious.
The First Geeration Scholarship
Program is the link that brought the two organizations together in a unique
relationship cemented by a five-year commitment by the financial services firm
to provide $250,000 in scholarship help with a preference given to students
enrolled at The Bridge. The state will match that donation dollar for dollar,
doubling the impact of the gift.
“The First Generation Scholarship
program perfectly aligns with EverBank’s community outreach philosophy,” Wilson
noted. “It addresses a critical concern in our community by providing
much-needed assistance to motivate young people who otherwise might not have
had an opportunity to attend college.”
While some may attribute the
connection between the two programs as a fortunate coincidence, Wilson
disagrees. The rapidly growing bank has a carefully thought-out plan to bring
the organization’s resources, skills and experience to the task of improving
the community. EverBank’s Fast Path Program is designed to help at-risk high
school students through mentoring and educational assistance. Because of
Wilson’s commitment, many EverBank employees donate their time to make Fast
Path a success and provide children with a solid foundation to be productive
and successful.
Wilson, who sits on the boards of
The Bridge and the UNF Foundation, saw the connection immediately. “We see both
programs as a natural fit for each other. As young people move through The
Bridge, we want to give them the added incentive to get a higher education,” he
said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to help break the generations of
poverty and develop new leadership within the community.”
Pierre Allaire, vice president for
Institutional Advancement at UNF, said EverBank’s commitment to the First
Scholarship program demonstrates how the public and private sectors can work
together to benefit the community. “The corporate citizenship exhibited by
EverBank is remarkable. This commitment is a major step in The Power of
Transformation campaign and ultimately in our ability to transform the lives of
our students,” he said. Allaire specifically praised the efforts of campaign
co-chairs Rad Lovett and Rusty Newton to facilitate the donation. “Rad and
Rusty are business executives who have recognized the important role private
enterprise can play in our community.”
For Wilson, The Power of
Transformation campaign was a perfect opportunity to extend the bank’s role in
the community. “Our bank is all about transformation. It is in our DNA,” Wilson
said. “Like UNF, our commitment goes well beyond the doors of our organization.
Our success has the potential to create a new generation of leaders all
motivated to create a stronger community.”
About EverBank
EverBank is a privately held thrift
holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, offering innovative banking, lending,
leasing and investment products and services of exceptional value. The
company's balanced mortgage banking, deposit banking and leasing platforms
provide diverse revenue streams with proven success in a variety of market
conditions. The company has more than $8 billion in assets and more than $6.3
billion in deposits. For more information on the EverBank Family of Companies, visit
EverBank.com
About The Bridge of
Northeast Florida
The Bridge of Northeast Florida is
a 501(c)(3) organization whose goal is to help at-risk children. It works to
build bridges connecting those children to the opportunities they need to
overcome the despair of their surroundings and to aspire to a life where their
dreams can come true. Its main campus is located in the urban core in
Jacksonville’s Springfield neighborhood. More than 700 children and teens are
attending programs at The Bridge, which recently celebrated its 25th
anniversary.
