For Immediate Release

November 15, 2022

Bank of America Recognizes Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia and The Up Center with 2022 Neighborhood Builders® Grants

Program Provides $200,000 in Flexible Funding to Each Organization and Leadership Development Training to Advance Economic Mobility in Hampton Roads

Norfolk – Programs and services that are addressing youth workforce development and mental health will be able to help more people chart a path toward economic opportunity, with help from a multi-year grant from Bank of America. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia and The Up Center have been named as the 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® awardees for their work throughout the Hampton Roads community to remove economic barriers and advance economic opportunity.

Each organization receives a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for an executive director and an emerging leader – on topics including financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling – who join a network of peer organization leaders across the U.S., and have the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. The program continues to be the nation’s largest investment into nonprofit leadership development.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia was selected as an awardee for their efforts to provide youth with pathways to achieve great futures through programs addressing workforce development, academic success, youth mental health, and healthy lifestyles.

“Receiving this award reaffirms the hard work we’re doing to provide a first-class experience for children in our service areas,” said Kevin Will, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia. “With the leadership training and the grant funds, we’re going to continue on our mission of preparing kids for the future and making our work sustainable for many years to come.”

The Up Center was selected for the work it is doing providing mental health services and addressing the shortage of mental health workers in the area by providing training and licensing to professionals.

“Our new strategic plan includes the launch of a Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health and Wellness to develop the next generation of well-trained, community-oriented, licensed mental health professionals,” said Tina Gill, President and CEO of The Up Center. “This generous funding and leadership training from Bank of America comes at a pivotal time in the development of the Center, which will help us increase access to high quality mental health services in our local community.”

“Nonprofits are the backbone to our local community, working closely with individuals, families and community members. Through their understanding of the obstacles many are experiencing, they are able to develop programs and services that help alleviate or eliminate barriers, and help those they serve chart a path toward economic opportunity,” said Frank Castellanos, president, Bank of America Hampton Roads. “It’s important that we direct both capital and the necessary resources and training to help position these nonprofits and their leadership teams for long-term success as they grow and make a positive impact.”

Bank of America’s invitation-only program is highly competitive, and organizations are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Builders honorees.

Through 2021, Bank of America has invested over $280 million in 50 communities through Neighborhood Builders, partnering with more than 1,400 nonprofits and helping more than 2,800 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. Neighborhood Builders is just one example of how Bank of America deploys capital in communities, builds cross-sector partnerships, and promotes socioeconomic progress as part of its approach to responsible growth.

Bank of America Environmental, Social and Governance

At Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).