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Community Involvement
Employee Volunteerism
Rolling up our sleeves
UBT’s employees are passionate about helping nonprofits provide services to individuals, families, businesses, and neighborhoods so they can thrive. Whether we’re picking up trash at city parks or participating in regular blood drives, our people are encouraged to be the kind of people who give back whenever and however they can to change lives in our communities.
- 581 total employees participated in our Community Involvement program
- 2,352 volunteer hours were tracked
- 210 employees participated in a variety of drives across our communities, donating items such as clothing, educational resources, pet supplies, food, household goods, personal care items, toys and more
- 205 employees served on nonprofit boards; 252 nonprofits were served by UBT employees overall
- Blood donations: 120 employee donations over 11 blood drives yielding 274 units
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Partnerships
UBT’s Corporate Giving
A culture and history of giving back
UBT’s corporate financial support is focused around three key areas: education, the arts, and community betterment with a focus on direct services. All four play such an important role in setting up our future leaders for success, bringing beauty to our community, and lifting the hopes and spirits of those who need it most.
- Capital campaigns supported in 2025 include Houses of Hope, Clinic With a Heart, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, Orphan Grain Train, YWCA of Grand Island, Crete Public Schools, and Educare Lincoln
- Number of nonprofits supported: More than 250
- Dollars given: More than $3.4 million
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United Way
UBT’s United Way/CHAD Campaign
One drive helps 60+ agencies help thousands
Our 2025 campaign supporting United Way of Lincoln & Lancaster County and the Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) yielded our largest total donation to date. These organizations support 60+ member agencies whose efforts help meet the need for education, income, and health for thousands of people in our community.
- 397 givers = 44% participation
- $374,855 in employee pledges
- Campaign total: $749,824 with UBT’s employer match
- 199 Leadership Givers
- Largest campaign in Lincoln/Lancaster County
*Our Omaha associates supported their local United Way chapter, too, with 50 donors — a 71% participation rate — amounting to $42,040 with the UBT match.
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Financial Literacy
Scholarships & Financial Literacy
Helping brighten more futures
In addition to our annual contributions to the Learn to Dream Scholarship, funded in partnership with the Acklie Charitable Foundation and Nelnet, and the People of Prosperity Scholarship, UBT’s Financial Literacy Program launched its inaugural Scholars Academy scholarship program in 2025. This new endeavor selected six graduating Lincoln Public Schools seniors demonstrating financial need for a day-long college financial readiness workshop. Upon completion, each student received a $1,000 scholarship.
In addition to launching the Scholars Academy, the Financial Literacy Program expanded its reach in the Omaha metro with the addition of a new team member, allowing the program to serve even more community nonprofits by providing invaluable financial education workshops.
Day of Action at Lincoln Bike Kitchen
“Volunteering with the System Support Team at the Lincoln Bike Kitchen was a meaningful and hands-on way to support the local community. The Bike Kitchen plays an important role in Lincoln by increasing access to reliable transportation, offering bike repair education, and promoting sustainability through reuse and maintenance. Our time there was centered around painting the expanded storage building to ensure it matched the historical requirements of the existing structure currently used by the Bike Kitchen, helping preserve its character while supporting its continued growth and service to the community.”
Logan Gates, System Support Administrator
To get the full story, download the Impact Report
Adopt-A-Park:
Picking up trash at Holmes Lake
“When I started the hiring process at UBT, one of the things that stood out to me most was the opportunity to have a positive impact on the Lincoln community. At the time of this event, I was just getting started and getting the chance to meet people at UBT. Skyler, Katie, and Trevor were some of the first faces that became staples in my new and short life at UBT, so while planning the event, I figured, why not invite them? We picked up lots of trash while joking around and having a good time. The park got cleaner, I brought donuts, we ate those donuts, and we even saw some bones by the lake. All in all, it was an experience that will be a core memory when I think back on my time at UBT. Doing the CI event with them was nothing less than a foreshadowing of the good-hearted community and culture at UBT.”
Langdon Douglas, CRM Administrator – System Support
Team Choice: Beattie Bobcat Bash
“I wanted to take a moment to share the incredible impact our UBT community had on the recent Beattie Bobcat Bash. I volunteered to lead this event for the PTO with very little lead time and a shoestring budget. The event had faced challenges in the past, especially around securing volunteers. This year, the format of the event needed to change significantly due to new LPS restrictions, which meant we needed more volunteers than ever before to make it happen.
Despite these challenges, the event was a huge success, and that is entirely thanks to the support I received from my UBT community. When I reached out for help, the response was overwhelming.”
Kylie DeBord, Business Analyst
To get the full story, download the Impact Report
Project Linus
“Project Linus started in Omaha as a community service event that the customer service team could participate in as it was held after bank hours. It went on to become close to my heart as I personally knew two little boys — brothers, aged 3 and 4 — who needed bone marrow and stem cell transplants. Our team was able to make blankets for them that year and they were gifted through Project Linus. The look of surprise and joy on their faces while in the hospital, and the appreciation from the parents, was heartfelt by all of us. Now it has become an event that the entire Customer Service team looks forward to doing knowing that they can help bring any sort of comfort to sick or traumatized children. Something so small as a blanket, to us, is so enormous for them knowing that someone out there truly cares about them and wishes them a speedy recovery from sickness or situation.
Lisa Nelson, Senior Personal Banker
York Lifestyle and Outdoor Living Show
“We’ve had the privilege of volunteering at the York Lifestyle and Outdoor Living Show for several years, and it’s always a highlight for our team! This year was no exception — even with the chilly weather, everyone came together with smiles and energy to help community members unload shredded material into bins and into the shred truck. The shred truck has become a much-anticipated service in York, especially since we don’t have a local recycling or shred bin. It’s incredible to see how this event brings our community together and makes a real difference.”
Kadee Ditloff, Branch Manager & Officer — York
Fairbury Food Pantry Donations
“When the government shutdown paused benefits, many local families faced an unexpected shortage of food. UBT activated the Catastrophic Event Clause in our Community Involvement program, allowing our team to generously donate and helping fill the food pantry’s shelves during a critical time. In addition, our company contributed a check to support the pantry’s efforts.
I’m proud to work for an organization that steps up for the community when it matters most — and grateful for every employee who helped make a difference.”
Linda Harris, Branch Manager & Officer — Fairbury
Valentine
“Every year during National Canned Food Month, the Valentine branch at UBT is proud to come together with our community to collect canned food items for donation to St. John’s Food Pantry. This effort truly highlights the generosity and compassion of our customers, employees, and neighbors who are always willing to lend a helping hand. Each donation, big or small, helps provide essential support to individuals and families in need, making a meaningful impact right here at home. It’s a great reminder that when our community works together, we can make a real difference and ensure no one has to go without!”
Caitlyn Ormesher, Branch Manager & Officer — Valentine
“Supporting the communities we serve has always been at the heart of who I am — both personally and professionally. That commitment is why my work with ChildSafe of Colorado is so deeply meaningful to me. As President of the Board, I’m honored to help guide an organization that provides life-changing support to children and families affected by trauma.
My passion for this mission goes far beyond board governance. Over the past four years, I’ve dedicated countless volunteer hours to ChildSafe’s events, outreach efforts, and fundraising initiatives. Being hands-on with our team, our clients, and our supporters has allowed me to see — up close — the incredible impact this organization has on healing and hope.”
Remi Berg, Assistant VP & Business — Relationship Officer
Random Acts of Kindness
Creating a ripple effect
Studies have shown that random acts of kindness can often have a ripple effect in communities — meaning one good deed can create a domino effect and improve the day for dozens of people. With this ripple effect in mind, UBT provided multiple opportunities in 2025 for associates to participate in random acts of kindness that benefited fellow community members.
Asked to share their experience of surprising a stranger with a random gift of cash, one associate said, “The Share the Kindness Campaign inspired me to do some random acts of kindness on my own, including writing thank you notes and giving gift cards to my neighbors, giving a thank you note to my favorite clerk who is always so friendly at the gas station, buying coffee for a friend, sending the local village clerk fresh flowers, bringing snacks to work to share, and mailing thank you notes to friends and family. So grateful for the opportunity to participate in this, and for the inspiration!”
581 employees
581 employees participated in the Community Involvement program — more than half of our employee base.
Reusable bag drive
UBT’s Green Team coordinated a reusable grocery bag drive for the Center for People, where they could be used to pack groceries for families facing hardship. Several totes full of reusable bags were donated.
2,352 volunteer hours tracked
UBT employees volunteered with dozens of nonprofits, agencies, and religious organizations.
Blood drives
120 UBT employees donated 274 units of blood.
Nonprofit board involvement
205 UBT employees served on nonprofit boards; in total, 252 nonprofits were served by UBT employees in 2025.
Green Team
The team’s vision is to make UBT a sustainable, environmentally friendly leader in all communities we serve — now and in the future.
Recycling
UBT’s efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle resulted in nearly 230,000 lbs. of recycled materials, including 219,890 lbs. of paper and 11,542 lbs. of metal.
Compost program
Composting service has been established at five larger UBT offices.
Energy reduction
LED lighting upgrades were implemented in two Lincoln locations. Additionally, HVAC systems were upgraded to more efficient units in three Lincoln locations.
Furniture donations
Used office furniture, including cubicle panels, dry-erase boards, cabinets, bookcases, chairs, tables, desks, and artwork, was donated to 21 local nonprofit organizations.
Shred Day 2025
In 2025, 1,600 cars visited our Shred Day event, resulting in the shredding of 68,400 pounds of documents by our friends at Paper Tiger.
Magic Moments
Spreading a little magic when it’s needed most
Union Bank celebrated the 23rd year of our Magic Moments program during the 2025 holiday season. This program is a great opportunity for us to give back, and we invite Lincoln churches, organizations, and community members to submit nominations on behalf of neighbors, friends, or family who deserve recognition or could use some extra love.
