Program Provides $50,000 in Grant Support and an Opportunity for Virtual Leadership Training
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bank of America today announced the recipient of its Neighborhood Champions program in the Triad region, naming Providence Community Kitchen as its inaugural awardee. Neighborhood Champions supports the role strong nonprofit leaders play in advancing economic mobility, and is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Alongside the Triad, the bank will bring the program to 40 communities across the U.S. this fall as part of its commitment to investing in the long-term health of communities.
As part of the program, Providence Community Kitchen will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector. After a rigorous review process, Providence Community Kitchen was the organization that stood out to our local market selection committee and to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Providence Community Kitchen was chosen based on its dedication to providing employment for graduates of its Culinary Training Program, therefore giving them the opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals and helping to advance their careers into leadership roles.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Neighborhood Champions program to the Triad,” said Derek Ellington, Triad Market President for Bank of America. “Through flexible funding and leadership resources, partners like Providence Community Kitchen have the power to plan strategically for growth and long-term sustainability, and we look forward to seeing how this investment helps Providence Community Kitchen make even greater strides to address human and workforce development needs.
The Neighborhood Champions program is invitation-only for nonprofits who are poised to take their work to the next level. Leading members of the community participated in a collaborative selection process to identify this year’s awardee. Examples of the topics for the virtual leadership training awarded include human capital management, increasing financial sustainability, and storytelling.
“We are honored to have been selected as the inaugural recipient of funding through Bank of America’s Neighborhood Champions program,” said Chef Jeff Bacon, Vice President and Executive Director of Providence. “Providence is a dynamic and quickly growing arm of Second Harvest. In the past 18 months we have opened a new training restaurant and launched two massive hot meal delivery programs serving mainly children living in economically stressed households. The funds from Bank of America are coming at a pivotal time, as we pursue expansion plans for ever greater impact in our community and leadership training opportunities to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of our programs.”
Over more than fifteen years, Bank of America has invested $240 million in 49 communities through Neighborhood Builders, partnering with more than 1,000 nonprofits and helping more than 2,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. The Neighborhood Champions program in the Triad will strengthen the bank’s commitment to advancing economic mobility and nonprofit leadership.
Bank of America is very committed to the local Triad community. Over the past five years, Bank of America has contributed more than $3.6 million to the Triad market through grants and matching gifts. The Bank’s employees also contributed more than 117 thousand volunteer hours since 2014.
Bank of America At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
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