Bank of America Launches 2011 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative- Deadline June 1

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.
3) The Student Leaders program seeks to further develop the leadership skills of students who demonstrate a passion for improving their communities.

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