Jeffrey G. Banks – Philanthropist / Venture Capitalist

Biography

Homes 4 the Homeless is proud to welcome philanthropist Jeffrey G. Banks to our Advisory Board of Directors. Mr. Banks comes from a long, successful career in business and now in retirement donates a great deal of his time to civic and business organizations as well as various causes, including helping foster children in Alameda County and more recently the unsheltered.

Early in life Mr. Banks made a name for himself playing football. He grew up in Ukiah, California and played lineman for Ukiah High School, graduating in 1963. Later in life, Mr. Banks established a football scholarship for Ukiah High graduates continuing their football career at Mendocino College, and in 2018 he was honored as a Distinguished Graduate by the High School. Mr. Banks continued with football, attending Utah State University on a football scholarship, and attended, played football, and graduated from University of Pacific-Stockton. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, and signed by the New York Jets in 1969.

Injuries ended his sports career early, but Jeff Banks went on to become very successful in business. Among many business achievements, he was a venture capital investor. He obtained a BA in English at University of the Pacific and completed graduate work at Thunderbird Graduate School, now Arizona State University. He served on the Board of Regents for the University of Pacific for a number of years. He retired from the Metropolitan Outdoor Advertising Company as their CEO. He stays active in business and venture capital through his involvement with YPO, an American-based worldwide leadership community of chief executives with approximately 29,000 members in more than 130 countries.

Later in his career, Mr. Banks and his wife and lifelong business partner Karen turned their attention to giving back to a multitude of causes in their community by forming the Banks Family Foundation. They have given significant contributions to helping pre through kindergarten children, and especially foster children. They worked extensively with Beyond Emancipation of Oakland, California, which provides a range of supportive programs designed to help former foster and probation youth overcome their challenges, mitigate risks, and make healthy, successful transitions to adulthood and independent living. Support from them and others helped the organization grow to serve nearly 1,000 youth each year. He continues to serve as a trustee with the Boys & Girls Club of Oakland. In addition to his interest in sports, he enjoys singing and has played with several Bay Area bands.