 November 2009
Reporters May Contact:
T.J. Crawford, 646-855-3301
TJ.Crawford@BankofAmerica.com
Bianca Olson, 781-559-0433
Bianca.Olson@RFBinder.com
Pictured above: Bill Tommins, Bank of America, left, and Terry O'Connor, Cardinal Shehan Center
The Cardinal Shehan Center and Domus Awarded $400,000 to Address Youth Development and Social Needs in Fairfield County
Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative® invests $20 million to strengthen communities across the country
Stamford, CT. – The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced its continuing support of nonprofits in the Fairfield County community, providing more than $400,000 in unrestricted funding to address critical social issues through the bank’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI). The program, which is helping to sustain nonprofits during this challenging economic time and increase their long-term viability, is investing $20 million globally this year in addition to the more than $90 million committed over the last five years.
The Cardinal Shehan Center and Domus have been named 2009 Fairfield County Neighborhood Builders® through which they will each 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.
The Cardinal Shehan Center, based in Bridgeport, is serving critical community needs by providing recreational, educational, and social programming to Bridgeport students. Domus, located in Stamford, serves vulnerable youth and their families through educational, residential and community programs based on the belief that no child should be denied hope, love, or a fair chance in life.
“Bank of America is supporting the Fairfield County community through the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative and other lending, investing and community development programs that address critical social issues and align with our corporate social responsibility efforts,” said Bill Tommins, Fairfield County Market President, Bank of America. “In our current economy, communities need our support more than ever, and this program is designed to give that support through the effective combination of partnership, leadership development and flexible funding.”
NEI honors two other categories of community leaders: Local Heroes, who contribute significantly to the health of their neighborhood, will direct a $5,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to an eligible nonprofit of their choice, and Student Leaders®, who are exemplary high school juniors and seniors with a passion for improving their communities.
2009 Fairfield County Local Heroes are:
- Emilio Funicella, a Stamford resident, will support Keep Stamford Beautiful
- Nancy Kingwood, a Bridgeport resident, will support Mount Aery Development Corporation
- Shalini Madaras, a Wilton resident, will support Kick for Nick
- Robert McCain, a Norwalk resident, will support Norwalk Education Foundation
- Joe and Gaye Yllanes, Newtown residents, will support Family & Children’s Agency
Earlier this year, 230 Student Leaders from across the country, including five from Fairfield County, participated in eight-week paid 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.
2009 Fairfield County Student Leaders are:
- Jill Daley, a Norwalk resident and senior at Norwalk High School, interned at the Carver Foundation of Norwalk.
- Dimitri Mezidor, a Bridgeport Resident and graduate of Fairfield Prep, interned at the Carver Foundation of Norwalk
- Mary Osborne, a Stamford resident and graduate of Trinity Catholic High School, interned at the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford
- Ariel Shachter, a Norwalk resident and graduate of Brien McMahon High School, interned at the Carver Foundation of Norwalk
- Jyotsna Winsor, a Stamford resident and senior at Stamford High School, interned at the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford.
All 2009 Fairfield County NEI winners will be honored at an event on November 12.
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.
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