2023 Exemplary Partner: Our partner, UMB Bank, trusts us to do what we do best for the community

Jennifer Dokes, for LISC Phoenix

10.10.2023 — LISC StoriesCommunities on the Line

In his role as president of UMB Bank’s Arizona region, Robert Faver often sees big numbers behind dollar signs. It can be difficult to wrap the mind around those numbers and what they really mean.

But a plate of some very good Ethiopian food, a testimonial from the restaurateur who prepared it, a presentation about the work to help small businesses in the McDowell Road corridor and an up-close-and-personal look at the nonprofit that supports that work put special meaning behind a UMB check with a big number made out to LISC Phoenix.

“Sometimes when you’re in banking, you deal with these numbers where the zeros just don’t make any sense after a while,” Faver said. “But when you deliver a check that creates that kind of significant change for an organization, that’s powerful, powerful stuff.”

As part of an end-of-year giving program, UMB presented a check for $250,000 to LISC Phoenix to continue its community development work as it sees fit. The unrestricted donation is an investment into the nonprofit’s mission of strengthening low-income, marginalized and neglected communities.

“This was just extraordinary that they did this for us,” Terry Benelli, executive director of LISC Phoenix, said.

Benelli said the unexpected, substantial, no-strings-attached contribution will be used to pursue LISC Phoenix strategic initiatives on child care, climate justice and any other pivots on the horizon to benefit LISC’s communities.

LISC Phoenix honors UMB Bank this year as an exemplary partner in its community development work.

Marisa Martinez, SVP/director of community development at UMB, said the bank’s selection committee for the giving program had members like her who nonprofit work experience.

“Several of us know that unrestricted operating or unrestricted dollars really go a long way,” Martinez said. “It goes to this philosophy that organizations know what their needs are and when it’s unsolicited, it’s fair to say that whatever they can use it for is probably the best.”

Branislav Vujic, AVP community development banker at UMB and a member of the LISC Phoenix Local Adviorsy Committee, said UMB enjoys a strong relationship with LISC Phoenix. It’s a partnership built on trust and strong communication, he said.

“As we know, whether its housing affordability or many other needs, help is needed,” Vujic said. “We’re really trying to figure out the best outcome and best solutions and strategies. It’s not going to be done overnight. There must be partnership, cooperation, communication, finding out the right data and going out there and figuring out what is the best for our community.”

UMB officials sees the contribution as a good business decision to help community grow and stay strong. But for Faver and Vujic, community development is also personal.

Faver is a third-generation Arizonan who wants to help secure a strong future for the community. “I’m going to be here for a long time, and I want to continue to help make this city better,” he said.

“Community means a ton to me,” Faver said. “We’ve got to try to leave this place better for our kids at the end of the day. We (the bank and Phoenix metro area) can’t continue in this market without providing more support, expand education, helping to try to lift people up, get them new opportunities, new jobs. We’re not going to grow without all those things.”

Vujic came to Phoenix 23 years ago as a 14-year-old refugee. He sees himself in the people he connects with as a community development banker.

“When it comes to community development, it’s my responsibility to provide financial education and banking solutions to underserved or even unbanked communities,” Vujic said. “I’ve been in their shoes myself. When I moved here as a refugee, I didn’t speak English. I didn’t know anything when it comes to banking or even credit. I know how they feel.”

“It really means a lot when you pay back the community,” Vujic said. “I truly believe that. … We really want to pay back to our community.”

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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Wells Fargo

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