Bank of America awarded two area nonprofits $200,000 each in unrestricted capital, in addition to leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader, as part of its Neighborhood Builders program.
“Neighborhood Builders is the nation’s largest investment in nonprofit leadership,” said Kerri Schroeder, president, Bank of America Seattle.
Since 2004, Bank of America has recognized 38 nonprofits in Puget Sound. This amounts to grants totaling more than $7.6 million and an investment in 72 community leaders.
FamilyWorks, one of this year’s recipients, works at the root of food insecurity for the community they serve. FamilyWorks provides fresh, healthy food to people and families in the community who are experiencing hunger or are in danger of experiencing hunger. The Resource Center offers programs designed to support and enhance a nurturing and vibrant community.
“Many nonprofits really struggled through the pandemic,” Schroeder said. “One of the things FamilyWorks did really well was innovate and find ways to get resources to those they serve.”
Innovations include a program where food bank recipients could text what they needed and FamilyWorks would have it ready for them and a collaboration with other area nonprofits, allowing them to provide wraparound services, like rent assistance and utility support.
This year’s other recipient, Community Roots, is dedicated to providing people from all walks of life safe, quality and affordable places to live. The organization works with community partners that want to develop housing in their neighborhoods but might not have the reputation or access to capital to do it.
“Community Roots partners with them to develop solutions that are really vibrant, that speak to the composition of those communities, and they do it in such an impactful way,” Schroeder said.
Neighborhood Builders is Bank of America’s signature philanthropic program that advances economic mobility and nonprofit leadership. It creates more sustainable communities by providing nonprofits with the critical tools to develop stronger strategic plans, chart a succession plan and enhance funding opportunities. To learn more, visit the Bank of America website.
Sponsored by Bank of America. Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.