from staff
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has announced it is providing more than $2.8 million in unrestricted funding to 14 nonprofits in Florida communities to address critical issues through the bank’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI). Since introducing the program in 2004, Bank of America has invested $18 million throughout the state to help nonprofits increase their long-term viability and most recently to help sustain them in this challenging economic environment.
Each organization, named “2009 Neighborhood Builders,” will receive $200,000 in unrestricted grant funding and participate in Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Leadership Program with other nonprofit leaders from 45 communities across the country and London.
“Nonprofit and community leaders are instrumental in providing critical neighborhood services, and Bank of America is proud to support their work through the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative and other lending, investing and community development programs that align with our overall corporate social responsibility efforts,” said Mike Fields, Florida market president at Bank of America. “Not only does this program recognize some of the truly stand-out organizations and leaders in Florida, but it also offers valuable unrestricted financial support and professional development opportunities — critical to the long-term success of our communities.”
In addition, Bank of America honors two other categories of community leaders through the NEI program: Local Heroes, individuals who contribute significantly to the health of their neighborhoods, will direct a $5,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to an eligible nonprofit of their choice, and Student Leaders, exemplary high school juniors and seniors with a passion for improving their communities.
Earlier this year, 230 Student Leaders from 45 cities and towns, including 35 from Florida, participated in paid, eight-week summer internships with local nonprofit organizations and in a weeklong Bank of America student leadership summit in Washington, D.C. to learn about national service, civic engagement, financial education and how nonprofits, businesses and government partner to create positive change.
This fall, all Florida NEI winners will also be honored at local events.
The 2009 Florida Neighborhood Builder and Local Hero awardees from Jacksonville are:
Neighborhood Builders
• Catholic Charities — provides services to low-income families of all faiths and backgrounds, including financial assistance with rent/mortgages and utilities
• Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida — a social service ministry focused on hunger prevention, resettling refugees and financial assistance to the local community, regardless of religious affiliation
Local Heroes
• Gustav Egerer — funds will be donated to United Cerebral Palsy of Jacksonville
• Roger Maness — funds will be donated to The Sanctuary on 8th Street
• Philip Mobley — funds will be donated to Northside Community Involvement, Inc.
• Robbie Smith — funds will be donated to Safe Harbor Boys Home
• Mari Terbrueggen — funds will be donated to The Senior Life Foundation, Inc.