MBA Opens Doors Foundation Announces 2020 Award Winners
The Mortgage Bankers Association announced recipients of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation annual awards, which recognize those who have made lasting contributions to advance the Foundation’s mission of providing mortgage and rental assistance to families with critically ill or injured children, allowing parents and guardians to be by a child’s side during treatment without fear of losing their home.
The Foundation presented its annual Community Champion Award, the Founder’s Award, and the Spirit Award during MBA’s virtual 2020 Annual Convention & Expo.
The 2020 Opens Doors Foundation award winners are:
• Community Champion Award: PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company
• Founder’s Award: The Burke family
• Spirit Award: Radius Financial Group Inc.
“I am honored to recognize this year’s award recipients for being true champions in supporting the mission of Opens Doors,” said Debra W. Still, CMB, president and CEO of Pulte Mortgage and Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “These unprecedented times significantly impact Opens Doors’ families, and I am so grateful that this year’s award recipients have elevated their commitment to the Foundation and to families in need of housing assistance.”
The Community Champion award, created in 2013, recognizes an individual, group, or company that has dedicated significant time and effort to advance the Foundation’s mission. Since 2016, PrimeLending has made annual leadership-level contributions to the Foundation, enthusiastically supporting the Foundation’s efforts with more than $300,000 in contributions.
More than 15 employees from PrimeLending actively donate to Opens Doors, with many more joining the Foundation’s roster through PrimeLending events.
PrimeLending is also active at the local community level, donating more than $250,000 nationwide through its local branches since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Founder’s Award recognizes significant contributions to the Foundation’s mission of helping vulnerable families with critically ill or injured children remain in their homes while a child is in treatment. The award recognizes one or more individuals whose demonstrated action has occurred over a sustained period. Honorees exemplify the core values, spirit, and essence on which Opens Doors was founded.
Helping to keep a family in their home while their child is critically ill is a family affair and a personal one. In addition to marshalling corporate support for the Foundation, the Burkes have made personal contributions at the highest levels since the launch of the Foundation’s Home Grant Program in 2012. Maggie Burke, a member of MBA’s mPact Advisory Committee, carries that commitment forward as a leading advocate for the Foundation and an integral player in helping to make the mPact Fall Fundraising Campaign, which benefits Opens Doors, an annual success.
The Spirit Award recognizes a group of individuals, from one or more organizations, whose enthusiasm and support for Opens Doors brought new people and organizations to the Opens Doors roster of supporters, and whose efforts amplified the impact the Foundation has on vulnerable families in America.
Since March 2016, Radius Financial has presented the Foundation with generous monthly donations totaling over $240,000. Its corporate leadership sparked individual support from employees who have now personally donated over $110,000.
Radius’ support grows each month, and its quiet generosity of spirit has permeated the company. With its steady support, the Foundation was able to establish a partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital in 2016. Since then, the Foundation has awarded grants to more than 800 families with a child being treated at Boston Children’s Hospital.
The Opens Doors Foundation, through its Home Grant Program, provides relief in a time of personal crisis. The Home Grant Program has become a critical part of a family’s support structure, especially when a parent or guardian must take unpaid leave to be with a child. Grants of up to $2,500 are made monthly to families in need of mortgage or rental payment assistance. For more information on Opens Doors’ mission, click www.mbaopensdoors.org.
