Grants Today: USAA

Since 1922, USAA has served the military community and their families, and has a deep understanding that those who serve our nation face unique challenges in military life. USAA also understands that individuals and families, in our local community, continue to face their own unique challenges such as hunger, homelessness or lack of financial stability. Like Valley of the Sun United Way, USAA is committed to making our community a better place to live.

For more than a decade, USAA has walked in lockstep with United Way with the ultimate goal of supporting solutions to address the needs of Maricopa County’s most vulnerable residents. Over the years, company contributions have been in the form of meaningful volunteer engagement, strategic event sponsorships and generous monetary donations.

Employee volunteers at USAA know what it means to serve and have participated in numerous engagement opportunities including volunteering in the veteran’s wing at UMOM New Day Centers, a United Way partner, in 2014. In 2015 USAA Phoenix, and Marine Week Phoenix volunteers, braved the heat and created a “field of dreams” by prepping a baseball diamond and refreshed the library with some new paint for Crockett Elementary School students.

In early 2016, USAA answered the call for volunteers needed at the annual Maricopa County StandDown, a large-scale event that serves thousands of local U.S. military veterans, and their families, experiencing or at risk of homelessness. At these events, USAA has provided large teams of volunteers, including participation from top leadership members. That same year, USAA was named one of United Way’s “Live United Top 20,” recognizing business partners that have elevated their support to ensure kids succeed, help to end homelessness and hunger and increase the financial stability of families.

In 2017, USAA joined the fight against childhood hunger and provided funding and volunteers to build more than 4,000 WeekEnd Hunger Backpacks. That same year they stepped up as a “Presenting Sponsor,” for United Way’s Women United Luncheon fundraising event. United Way is grateful for the continued commitment at this sponsorship level for the past several years. The luncheon has gained momentum as the organization’s signature fundraising event, due in large part to USAA’s involvement.

In April 2020, in response to the new reality and business cadence brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, USAA gave a $100,000 grant to the “United for the Valley COVID-19 Fund” that contributed to the approximately $3M overall dollars raised for the fund. In late 2020, USAA gave an additional $100,000 to the “Valley COVID-19 Relief and Rebuilding Fund,” as part of its focus on providing unrestricted funds to be applied where dollars are needed the most.

At the end of last year, United Way welcomed Geoffrey Burbridge, Vice President of Contact Centers at USAA, as a new member of our Board of Directors. Geoffrey was previously in northern California where he coordinated the United Way and philanthropic activities for the region. We are looking forward to his leadership, as our organization launches its new 5-Year Impact Agenda in the coming months.

United Way holds a deep appreciation for USAA’s enduring commitment to the community. We extend a most heartfelt thank you for your continued partnership over the years. United Way acknowledges your never-ending focus on servant leadership and has experienced firsthand that, USAA “was built to serve.”