Destiny accepts $200,000 check from Bank of America
We love our work. And we love the organizations we work with. They are up to good. We worked with Destiny Arts Center in Oakland, CA throughout 2009 as they prepared for their Raise the Roof Campaign. Last month Destiny was recognized for their good works with a $200,000 grant from Bank of America. Here is the press release. Join us in congratulating Destiny Arts Center.
Bank of America Charitable Foundation Invests More Than $3.6 Million in California Nonprofits to Strengthen Communities
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. – The Bank of America Charitable Foundation is providing more than $3.6 million in unrestricted funding to 18 nonprofits across California to help strengthen communities through the bank’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI). Since introducing the program in 2004, Bank of America has invested $22.5 million throughout the state to help nonprofits increase their long-term viability and most recently to help sustain them during 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.
“Nonprofits 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 Janet Lamkin, California President at Bank of America. “Not only does this program recognize some of the truly stand-out organizations and leaders in California, but it also offers valuable unrestricted financial support and professional development opportunities – critical to the long-term success of our communities.”
In the East Bay $200,000 awards will be given to Destiny Arts Center and the Urban Strategies Council.
Oakland’s Destiny Arts Center is helping to end isolation, prejudice, and violence in the lives of young people by using martial arts, dance, theater, and leadership training as tools for motivating youth.
The Urban Strategies Council eliminates poverty by working with partners to transform low-income neighborhoods into vibrant, healthy communities with increased employment and economic opportunities.
About the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative annually recognizes organizations, individuals and students who have shown a commitment to improving their communities. In its sixth year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has committed more than $110 million globally to the NEI program since its inception.
By the end of 2009, more than 800 leaders from the nonprofit awardees will have participated in the Neighborhood Excellence Leadership Program®, which builds a network of community leaders across the country to share learning and insight in areas including strategic communications, financial management, succession planning, and long-term development. Through NEI, Bank of America has also encouraged community leadership at the grassroots level by recognizing more than 1,200 high school students and 1,200 community leaders over the last six years.
Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America this year embarked on a new, ten-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2008, making the bank the most generous financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy called “neighborhood excellence” under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Bank associate volunteers contributed more than 900,000 hours in 2008 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.