Partnerships for Positive Change: Compudopt, Santander US
Impact More Than Half a Million People with Digital Solutions
Santander’s $35M gift empowered Compudopt to raise an additional $70M in funding and expand access to in-home technology, high-speed internet and education programming across 60 cities
Houston (Nov. 19, 2025) – Digital opportunity nonprofit Compudopt and Santander US have impacted more than half a million people with digital solutions through a multi-year partnership and $35M grant that provided no-cost, high-speed internet connectivity, computers, training and support to low-income communities.
The initiative launched in 2022 with a $7M investment from Santander aimed at providing greater financial empowerment and overall well-being to North Texas communities lacking digital access. Since then, with the help of Santander’s support, Compudopt raised an additional $70M in funding and expanded its services to 60 more cities, including Atlanta, Mesa, and San Antonio, where the organization now operates full-time, in addition to its locations in Houston, Dallas, and Chicago.
“The digital divide is a national challenge that requires an all-hands solution,” said Compudopt CEO Megan Steckly. “Santander fully championed Compudopt’s vision by providing comprehensive support to bring it to life. Our partnership has demonstrated that incredible, tangible impact is on the other side of true collaboration.”
Together, Santander US and Compudopt have supported more than 412,000 individuals with digital literacy and technology education, distributed over 62,000 no-cost devices, and connected more than 51,000 households to reliable internet. By addressing the digital divide through these holistic solutions, the communities served saw an 18% increase in average household income.
Based in Arizona, Juan Carlos Reyes Paz (Carlos) is one of the thousands of students impacted by Compudopt and Santander’s partnership. After discovering his passion for computer programming in high school, Carlos had his heart set on pursuing a career in computer science, but didn’t think it would be possible because he didn’t own a computer. Since receiving a free device from Compudopt, Carlos is earning his degree and is even employed part-time with Compudopt to give back to his community.
“Our partnership with Compudopt was built on the belief that equipping low-income and underserved communities with digital access, resources and training will open the door to economic opportunity,” said Christopher Pfirrman, Chief Legal Officer, Santander US Auto Business. “Our support underscores Santander’s global focus on three key community pillars – Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employability – and today, more than half a million people like Carlos don’t just own a computer, they’ve unlocked possibility. We’re incredibly proud of that impact.”
Learn more about Compudopt’s mission, impact and ways to support at https://www.compudopt.org/
About Compudopt
Compudopt is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 with a mission to provide technology access and education to youth. To date, it has distributed over 160,000 devices to students in need, delivered over 344,000 hours of technology education, connected over 51,000 households to the internet, and diverted over 711 tons of hardware from landfills. Learn more at compudopt.org.
About Santander US
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (SHUSA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Madrid-based Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE: SAN) (Santander), recognized as one of the world’s most admired companies by Fortune Magazine in 2025, with approximately 178 million customers in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. As the intermediate holding company for Santander’s U.S. businesses, SHUSA is the parent company of financial companies with more than 11,300 employees, 4.5 million customers, and assets of $165 billion in the fiscal year ended 2024. These include Santander Bank, N.A., Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Banco Santander International, Santander Securities LLC, Santander US Capital Markets LLC and several other subsidiaries. Santander US is recognized as a top 10 auto lender as well as a top 10 multifamily bank lender and servicer and has a growing wealth management business. For more information about Santander US, please visit www.santanderus.com.
Compudopt Media Contact
Teddi Cliett
Three Box on behalf of Compudopt
P: (214) 635-3025
E:
tcliett@threebox.com
Santander US Media Contact
Victoria DeLorenzo
