Financial Literacy and Education
For more than 30 years, Sandy Spring Bank has cultivated a relationship with Howard Community College (HCC) sponsoring programs that address food insecurity, affordable education, and professional development. In the 2023-2024 academic year, Sandy Spring Bank proudly continued its support of the following programs:
- Skilled Immigrant Program, which provides professional development courses for mid- and advanced-level English speaking, bilingual, and multi-lingual students and is accessible to both credit and noncredit seeking students.
- Silas Craft Collegians, an exclusive opportunity for students to receive personalized attention, mentoring, peer reinforcement, and scholarships. The primary beneficiaries of this program are students who come from low- to moderate-income families.
- Fueling Dragons program, which helps address food insecurity and provides nutrition and health education to students at HCC.
Your generous contribution to my education has relieved me of the financial stress of being able to pay my tuition. It has taken a whole load off of myself and my family's shoulders.Brittney W., student at Howard Community College
In 2023, Sandy Spring Bank continued its support of Forging the Future: The Campaign for Hood College. Our annual donation supported the following:
- Unrestricted scholarships and financial aid.
- Academic support including but not limited to classroom equipment, library resources, and extra-curricular programs.
- Safe equipment and facilities for intercollegiate athletes.
Sandy Spring Bank has also been the title sponsor of George Mason University's Diversity Scholarship Golf Classic for more than a decade. The 2023 event benefited two programs:
- Early Identification Program, which supports first-generation college-bound students beginning in the eighth grade.
- Student Transition Empowerment Program, which supports first-generation students once they arrive on campus.
Affordable Housing
Over ten years ago, Sandy Spring Bank partnered with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland to develop an innovative affordable housing program. Through our partnership, Sandy Spring Bank purchases home mortgages from Habitat, which enables them to buy additional properties that are renovated and sold to low-income families. Sandy Spring Bank continued our support of Habitat's mission to provide safe and affordable housing in June of 2023 through the Women Build initiative.
Women Build encourages women to volunteer in their communities and learn new skills. A team of Sandy Spring Bank employees was matched with a construction site in Takoma Park, Maryland where they stained fences, painted the house exterior, and helped construct the front and back porches. Through their efforts, employees raised more than $6,000.
Since 2016, Sandy Spring Bank has proudly supported Operation Renewed Hope Foundation (ORHF). We sponsored ORHF's Purple and Gold Gala in May 2023 which supports Veterans experiencing homelessness and helps them land back on their feet.
In 2023, Sandy Spring Bank fostered a new partnership with SOME (So Others Might Eat). We sponsored SOME's 37th Annual Gala: Break The Cycle. Funds raised from this event supported SOME's fight against poverty and homelessness in the Greater Washington area.
Health and Wellness
Sandy Spring Bank employees organized a group of more than 30 walkers to participate in the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk, the number one walk in the country raising awareness and funds to support inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our employees raised nearly $20,000 in addition to SSB's corporate sponsorship.
In 2023, the Bank sponsored Partners in Care (PIC), a volunteer-based organization that helps individuals older than 60 live more independently. Our donation helps PIC empower older adults to be active members of their community while living in the comfort of their own homes.
Sandy Spring Bank values financial education and sponsors organizations like Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Maryland who are committed to empowering our communities to make informed and confident financial choices. In 2023, 34 Sandy Spring Bank employees volunteered 275 hours supporting JA BizTown, a simulated city where fourth through sixth graders experience hands-on workplace, business, and personal finance challenges.
Additionally, our support of the JA Leading Ladies event held at the Stanley Black & Decker CDIY World Headquarters brought more than 200 area women professionals—including several Sandy Spring Bank leaders—and 100 outstanding female high school students together to foster a gender-balanced workforce. Employees participated in mentor activities that helped students gain valuable insight into potential career paths.
Together We Give
Together We Give, formerly known as Casual for a Cause, is an employee-driven giving program that supports local nonprofit organizations. In previous years, employees donated to a different charity each month in exchange for the opportunity to wear jeans on Fridays. Since the inception of this program in 2016, Sandy Spring Bank employees have raised more than $80,000 for more than 60 organizations across our region. With the introduction of hybrid work and a new casual dress policy, the program made a shift in 2023. Instead of 12 organizations, the program concentrated our efforts on four — highlighting one each quarter for awareness and giving. We paired our donation efforts with “lunch and learn” webinars led by our community partners to share information about their organizations and potential volunteer opportunities for employees.
2023 Beneficiaries of Together We Give
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington
- Cornerstones, Inc.
- Kid Museum
- The Y in Central Maryland
Employee Volunteerism
Our employees play a central role in advancing our commitment to our communities through volunteering. Employees are encouraged to sign up for volunteer activities and events throughout the year and record their hours to be recognized for their contribution.
To show our appreciation for employees who pursue their passion in the community, we created Dollars for Doers. When an employee volunteers at least 50 hours annually to an organization, we donate to that non-profit in recognition of their service.
Season of Sharing
Our volunteerism and philanthropic efforts are amplified during our annual Season of Sharing. At the end of the year, employees organize several community service and fundraising activities. Here are the highlights from 2023:
- Toys were wrapped and donated for families of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington
- 287 pounds of food was collected and donated to the Howard County Food Bank
- 50 care bags were prepared with individual notes and donated for patients receiving treatment at MedStar Montgomery Oncology Department
- 35 children had a brighter holiday with the toys and gifts employees donated through the National Capital Area Command Angel Tree
- Boxes of food items were collected and delivered to newly arrived Afghan families through NOVA Raft
- 90 books and pajamas were collected to support a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep for children in adoption and foster care through Pajama Program's partnership with Doorways
- 900 bags of groceries were packed by employee volunteers at the Capital Area Food Bank to support senior citizens in the community
- $16,000 was raised for Toys for Tots through our annual employee silent auction, client and employee donations, and SSB's corporate contribution
