Our Story
Honoring the Life and Legacy of David H. Stevens
A Message from Mary Clarke Stevens
Today, January 17th is the one year "angelversary" of my husband David H. Stevens, former president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association and founder, along with myself and Dan Arrigoni, of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation.
In that year of "firsts" my family and I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the stories of impact Dave had on so many people and of course the industry he loved so much. I am grateful for the messages and kind words that still flow today.
I am also grateful that during this year of firsts, I have been able to return to the Board of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, an organization that in the 14 years since inception, has made an indelible impact on families with sick kids who need help staying in their homes. From our first year providing 37 grants to families to helping well over 17,000 families today, the importance of the Foundation's mission has only grown. As a founder, I am in awe at how it has blossomed and grown and I am deeply grateful to Chairman Deb Still, our president Deb Dubois, the MBA and the thousands of donors who sustain our Home Grant Program year over year.
Today may cap a year of "firsts" without our beloved Dave, but I know he is smiling ear to ear and similarly in awe at just how far Opens Doors has come. I look forward to serving the Foundation once again and to working closely with my fellow board members and industry leaders across the country to help keep vulnerable families in their homes. I know that in this work, Dave will continue to be my steady copilot.
My sincere thanks,
Mary Clarke Stevens
“Dave Stevens was an icon in our industry. His energy and passion were inspiring. As the 2013 MBA Chair and current Chair of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, I had the privilege of working closely with Dave for more than 10 years both, in real estate finance and in fulfilling his vision for Opens Doors, which to date has helped nearly 16,000 families with critically ill or injured children stay in their home while their child is in treatment.” Said Debra W. Still, Vice Chairman, Pulte Financial Services and Chairman of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation Board of Directors. “Dave’s passing leaves an enormous hole in the lives of his family, friends and for all of us in the industry he did so much to transform.”
“Dave was my colleague and more importantly my friend and mentor for years. It is literally impossible to imagine the real estate finance industry without him. He infused passion and excitement into an industry that faced strong headwinds over the years, and he challenged its leaders to look beyond the office door and into the lives of families deeply impacted by a child’s illness.” said Marcia Davies, MBA Chief Operating Officer, Founder of MPower and former Director of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation. “It will take some time to truly understand the scope and profound impact Dave had on the industry, but for his family and friends, the gaping hole he leaves behind is but one measure of our loss.”
To make a gift in Dave's honor, please click here.
Our Mission
National reach with local impact. The mission of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation is to help vulnerable families with critically ill or injured children stay in their homes while a child is in treatment.
Our Vision
Supporting families across America. Our vision is a world where families with sick children receive mortgage or rental payment assistance while a child is in treatment, allowing parents and guardians to focus on the medical needs of a child rather than on a home in jeopardy.
About The Foundation
Committed to helping families around the country stay in their homes while a child is being treated for a critical illness or injury, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) established the MBA Opens Doors Foundation (Opens Doors) to help families in need meet their mortgage and rental obligations.
Under the leadership of David and Mary Stevens and Dan Arrigoni and launched in October 2011 with $50,000 in seed funding from the MBA, Opens Doors established the Home Grant Program. The program provides mortgage and rental payment assistance to families with critically ill or injured children, allowing parents and guardians to be by a child’s side during treatment.
In early 2012, the Foundation was granted 501(c)(3) status and began disbursing grants to families in need. By the end of that year, 37 grants were made to families through a relationship with Children’s National Medical System in Washington, DC. The relationship connected Opens Doors with social workers at the hospital who work directly with families in need, facilitating an application process that allowed a small but committed Opens Doors Board of Directors to review and award the Foundation’s grants.
Since its founding, MBA, has generously provided support that covers the Foundation’s administrative expenses so that every dollar donated goes directly to supporting families in need.
