BDO Foundation was founded in 2008 as the corporate social responsibility

arm of BDO Unibank, the largest bank in the country.

A non-stock, non-profit organization, the foundation develops and implements

programs to address the needs of the underserved and contribute to
addressing social problems. It also serves as the channel for BDO’s outreach
and giving back initiatives.

We are an active member of the NGO community. BDO Foundation is duly

accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Philippine Council for NGO Certification
(PCNC). We are also a member of the Association of Foundations (AF) and
League of Corporate Foundations (LCF).

Recognition from these agencies and organizations is significant as it affirms

the foundation’s status as a non-profit organization that meets standards of
good governance, program relevance and effectiveness, sound financial
management, credibility, transparency and accountability. The accreditation
and recognition also pave the way for greater collaboration between the
foundation, donors and government agencies. It enables us to do our work
more effectively.

BDO Foundation’s initiatives fall under two program pillars: (1) disaster
response, rehabilitation and rebuilding; and (2) financial inclusion.

Disaster response, rehabilitation and rebuilding

BDO Unibank’s wide branch network all over the country gives us the
capability to conduct relief operations immediately after a calamity. Leveraging
on the volunteerism of branch officers and employees, BDO Foundation
provides food packs, and in some cases, even hygiene kits and school supplies.
In areas where there is no BDO presence, the foundation partners with church
groups and other NGOs operating in the affected areas.

The rehabilitation and rebuilding work depends on the needs of the affected
communities, but BDO Foundation gives priority to health centers or rural
health units. Depending on the need and the presence of partners, the
foundation also builds classrooms for public schools and housing units for
affected families. In the past, the foundation was able to mobilize employee
donations that were used to fund the construction of community centers and
multi-purpose halls, and support livelihood projects.
Financial inclusion

Through its financial inclusion pillar, BDO Foundations hopes to make

financial education and financial services more accessible to people, especially
the underserved. Under this pillar, BDO Foundation has two main programs:
(1) financial literacy or financial education, and (2) capability-building for small
entrepreneurs.

The flagship program for financial education is BDO Foundation’s partnership

program with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP).

Dubbed the Financial Literacy Program for Schools, the initiative supports
DepEd’s efforts to strengthen financial literacy in its K-12 curriculum and
provide financial literacy education for its teaching and non-teaching
personnel. It also contributes to the pillar on Financial Education and
Consumer Protection of BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion.

Part of the program is the deployment of financial literacy videos produced by

BDO Foundation in collaboration with DepEd and BSP. These videos,
accompanied by discussion guides and lesson plans developed by DepEd
master teachers, are designed to make lessons on financial management
engaging and compelling for students and teachers.

By sharing lessons on financial responsibility with educators and the Filipino

youth, we hope to promote financial inclusion, contribute to the development of
a financially literate citizenry and support nation-building.

In partnership with SM Foundation under its Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan

program, BDO Foundation also extends its financial education program to
fruits and vegetables farmers who participate in the said training program.

The financial literacy or financial education program will soon be expanded to

overseas Filipino workers and their families as well as the uniformed and
civilian personnel of the Philippine Army.

The capability-building program for small entrepreneurs is a partnership

initiative with One Network Bank (ONB), a rural bank of BDO. The program
focuses on building the small entrepreneurs’ capabilities in business
development and management, financial management and market linkages.