INSPIRED IMPACT™ is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to social entrepreneurs and leaders of purpose-driven organizations who are making an impact in their communities, industries, and around the world.
Susan Graf is FVP, Senior Commercial Banker of Amalgamated Bank headquartered in NY. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more at amalgamatedbank.com.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
We are a bank that uses its resources, money, and influence to help move our customers, our community and society forward. We support thousands of people, organizations, causes, and businesses that are striving to build a stronger, safer, smarter, cleaner and fairer world.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
We want to support those who support others, to invest in progressive and impactful causes, to seek true financial opportunity for all and, ultimately, to do the most good for the most people. To us, this is what it means to be a socially responsible bank.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
We’re giving resources to individuals and organizations whose mission it is to make the world a better place. We use more than just financial criteria to determine how, where and to whom we lend money. If a business has a solid mission in addition to a solid balance sheet, we do our best to help finance it. We’ve funded food banks, day care centers, affordable housing projects, clean energy companies, and environmentally friendly projects. We are committed to helping more businesses and more families get the financial backing they need to grow and succeed.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
Our clients. We’re constantly inspired by their mission and aim to help them bolster their causes by offering an array of financial products and support that cater to their everyday needs.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
To better serve the nonprofits, labor unions, advocacy groups and socially responsible businesses that share our vision for positive change. We want to be known as the go-to financial institution for any organization or individual who wants to be a force for good.
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THOSE DREAMS COME TRUE?
Referrals.
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
One of our biggest challenges is educating the public on how banking really works. The dollars in your checking and savings accounts don’t just sit in a vault somewhere, they’re constantly on the move, being lent out to organizations you might not feel comfortable with. We believe that once people have a firm understanding of that, they’ll feel compelled to move their money to a bank where they know they’re not funding anything antithetical to their own beliefs.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
The impact space can be crowded and often feel competitive but it’s important to remember that we’re all aiming to achieve a similar goal. We should, to the best of our abilities, work together to help bolster each other’s missions and work toward that common goal of making the world a cleaner, more sustainable and better place.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
Open an account! Whether it’s helping to create a cleaner and greener future with Aria, our 100% fossil-free consumer investment portfolio, donating to the change-making organizations that you care about most through our Give-Back Checking and Savings accounts or getting the next chapter of life started with our first time home buyer mortgage program, you can make your money mirror your values.
Orapin Marketing + Public Relations is an award-winning agency that generates awareness, engagement, and, ultimately, support for purpose-driven organizations. We amplify their voice and reach so they can increase their income and impact. If you would like to be featured on INSPIRED IMPACT™, reach out to hello@orapinmarketing.com.