A Banker Becomes So Much More for One Afterschool Program

This story is highlighted in Capital One’s 2019-2020 Corporate Social Responsibility report. To view the full report, click here.

After school programs provide a critical service for children and their families. Yet in communities across the country, the need for these programs is far from being met. The Afterschool Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was established in 2000 to meet that need by expanding afterschool and summer learning opportunities nationwide.

Sharing the mission “to ensure that all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs,” the Washington D.C.-based Afterschool Alliance works with a broad range of organizations and supporters, including policymakers, government agencies, youth, parent and education groups, business and philanthropic leaders, afterschool coalitions and providers at the national, state and local levels, as well as leaders representing health and wellness, college and career readiness, social and emotional learning, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning, and more.

What does this diverse array of interested parties have in common? Each has a stake in quality after school programming.

In 2017 that list grew to include Capital One when Afterschool Alliance became a business banking client. The organizational fit—and shared values— became clear on several levels.

“I knew that Afterschool Alliance could really benefit from our Escrow Express product, which would help them to streamline their financial processes and reduce the headache of opening and closing accounts on a regular basis,” says Brigida Perez, a Senior Business Banker at Capital One. “Operating more efficiently means they can put more focus into fulfilling their mission of advocating for afterschool programs nationwide.”

But the relationship didn’t stop there: in 2019, Capital One began sponsoring their Afterschool for All Challenge, an outreach program that encourages the staff of local congressional offices to see how afterschool and summer learning work in their districts. The Challenge even invites members of Congress who are home on recess to experience firsthand the impact of these programs.

“Once members of Congress and their staff meet with Afterschool Youth Ambassadors and hear first-hand about their STEM learning experiences after school, they realize that these programs are not only preparing young people for the future workforce but also to be productive, responsible members of society—and that’s when we start to make real champions on Capitol Hill,” says Irina Zabello, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration at Afterschool Alliance. “It was an honor to have Capital One onboard as a sponsor for our 2019 Afterschool for All Challenge.”

It’s clear that the collaboration between Capital One and Afterschool Alliance is just beginning: Perez is already planning to come on as a sponsor for the 2020 challenge.

“Nonprofit organizations are built on a foundation of solid financial management,” said Zabello. “Having a close relationship with our Capital One business banker is an important part of that strategy.”

Capital One is on a mission to change banking for good. To be authentic and impactful, our goals for our customers, associates and our communities must be clearly linked. Our 2019-2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report illustrates this commitment. Learn more about Capital One’s commitments, here.