2011 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative

Posted by on March 27, 2011

Bank of America Launches 2011 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative

The Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, the Bank of America Foundation’s signature philanthropic program, is designed to recognize, nurture, and reward community-based organizations, local heroes, and student leaders working to improve their communities. The program, which takes place annually in forty-five Bank of America markets in the United States as well as London, is focused on areas of critical importance to community well-being, including education, community development/neighborhood preservation, arts and culture, and health and human services.

The program has three components:

1) The Neighborhood Builders program provides two outstanding nonprofit/charitable organizations in the forty-five eligible markets with operating support and rigorous leadership training. Neighborhood Builders recipients are awarded $200,000 ($100,000 annually for two years) in general operating support. They also benefit from specially designed leadership development programs for their senior executives and emerging leaders. Senior executives gather for two four-day workshops covering a range of topics, including strategic thinking, business planning in tough economic times, leadership development and succession planning, long-term business growth, and building a diverse funding base. Emerging leaders gather for three four-day workshops covering a range of topics, including developing organizational management skills, managing strategic opportunities, forging alliances, and building communities. Applicants must be registered nonprofit organizations that are based in and serve communities in the forty-five eligible Neighborhood Excellence Initiative markets. (Deadline: June 1, 2011.)

2) The Local Heroes program honors community champions who are working to measurably improve their communities and who inspire others to get involved. Five Local Heroes will be selected within the forty-five eligible markets to each direct a $5,000 contribution to the eligible nonprofit/charitable organization of their choice. The selected individuals also will be recognized at a public awards ceremony in their local community. Nominations are invited of individuals who demonstrate the highest standards in community service. Self-nomination is encouraged. Successful nominations will demonstrate how a nominee made a special and significant impact on individuals, families, or the community at large; inspired others to volunteer for community service; and has been a catalyst for new visions, understanding, and change in a community. (Deadline: June 1, 2011.)

3) The Student Leaders program seeks to further develop the leadership skills of students who demonstrate a passion for improving their communities. The program seeks leaders who are high school juniors and seniors in the United States and secondary students in sixth-form college or a college of further education in the United Kingdom. Five Student Leaders from each of the eligible markets will be selected to participate in an eight-week paid internship at a nonprofit/charitable organization and a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. (all expenses paid as part of the Student Leaders Program). (Student Leaders applications are closed for 2011, and will be due for the 2012 program in January 2012.)

Complete program guidelines, a list of eligible markets, and the online application process are available at the Bank of America Web site.

http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/index.cfm?template=fd_grantapp