Eastern Bank Foundation Honored Deval Patrick
The former Massachusetts governor received the Social Justice Award at a recent foundation ceremony.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Eastern Bank Foundation presented its 2026 Social Justice Award to former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. The recognition occurred during the foundation's annual Celebration of Social Justice event.
Why it matters
The foundation also debuted the Nancy Huntington Stager Collaborative Impact Award to spotlight organizations working to broaden economic mobility for local residents.
Eastern Bankshares added $4.5 billion in loans and $4.3 billion in deposits following the November 2025 acquisition of HarborOne Bancorp. The combined organization now operates more than 120 locations across its regional network.
The players
Deval Patrick
He served as the governor of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015 and currently works as a senior partner at Vistria Group.
Eastern Bank Foundation
This is the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bankshares that focuses on supporting community initiatives and social justice.
Just A Start
This organization is a recipient of the inaugural Nancy Huntington Stager Collaborative Impact Award for its community work.
Rindge Commons
This organization co-received the inaugural Nancy Huntington Stager Collaborative Impact Award alongside Just A Start.
The details
The event celebrated community leadership while highlighting the bank's recent growth, which expanded its footprint into Rhode Island. Just A Start and Rindge Commons received the inaugural Nancy Huntington Stager Collaborative Impact Award for their partnership.
Timeline
Deval Patrick served as Massachusetts governor from 2007 to 2015.
Eastern Bankshares completed the acquisition of HarborOne Bancorp in November 2025.
The Eastern Bank Foundation held its annual Celebration of Social Justice on September 14, 2026.
Market Landscape
The bank's philanthropic efforts align with its recent corporate strategy of regional consolidation through acquisitions like HarborOne Bancorp. This approach positions the company as a dominant regional player while maintaining a high-profile presence in community affairs.
Customers can expect continued service continuity across the expanded network of over 120 branches following recent corporate integration. The foundation's focus on economic mobility aims to influence local resource availability and community development programs.
The takeaway
The foundation's recent award ceremony underscores a strategic shift toward highlighting collaborative economic development. Readers looking for community support or partnership opportunities should monitor the foundation's future grant and award cycles.
Further reading
For more information on regional charitable initiatives, visit Massachusetts Philanthropy.
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Should local businesses actively support social justice initiatives in your community?
