Child Crisis Arizona
Celebrating its 20th year, Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders® program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development, while providing unique, multiyear, flexible grant funding annually to two high-impact nonprofits in nearly 100 communities nationwide.
In Phoenix, Bank of America has named Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and Child Crisis Arizona as its 2024 Neighborhood Builders for their work building career pathways and providing comprehensive services to children, youth and families within the Valley.
Neighborhood Builders recipients are each awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for each organization’s executive director and an emerging leader, and access to a national network of nonprofit peers. Since the program’s inception in 2004, 42 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Phoenix, with the bank investing more than $8.4million in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits.
“Celebrating 20 years of strengthening Phoenix nonprofits that provide innovative solutions to complex local challenges and promote economic advancement is a remarkable milestone,” said Scott Vanderpool, president, Bank of America Phoenix. “With the combination of flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training, we have helped our community’s nonprofits address the critical needs we face in the Valley, positively impacting countless individuals, families and neighborhoods over the past two decades.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley aims to help teens explore and develop a plan for their future. This includes exposing teens to career opportunities, introducing them to companies and emerging fields, and helping them create a career and educational plan for their future. This new grant funding from Bank of America will support their workforce development program, AZYouthforce, by expanding its opportunity to reach 14-16-year-olds through their Emerging Leaders program. The funds will also support additional training throughout the year, financial stipends for youth upon completing the Academy, 8–12-week internships and post internship case management.
“We are thrilled to be able to take the feedback we received from a pilot study expanding our Emerging Leaders program to a younger audience and implement it to address the needs of our youth,” said Marica Mintz, president and chief executive officer, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley. “Bank of America’s continuing support enables us to give youth the tools and support needed to shape them into the next generation of leaders in our community.”
Child Crisis Arizona exists to provide children and youth in Arizona with a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families. Since 2015, they have broadened their target population to include foster teens and young adults exiting the child welfare system, refugee children, and families experiencing poverty. The bank’s funding will directly support hundreds of children, youth, and families enrolled in our Early Education and Independent Living programs. It will also supplement staff salaries, program supplies, and resources for their clients, address inequity gaps and empower clients to become strong, contributing members of society.
“With a 100% enrollment rate in Early Education since 2022, and over 30 families currently waiting for services, as well as 92% occupancy in our Independent Living program, this award couldn’t come at a more pivotal time,” said Torrie Taj, chief executive officer, Child Crisis Arizona. “It’s a vital step toward expanding our services and deepening our impact in the lives of those who need it most.”
Neighborhood Builders is part of the bank’s longstanding efforts to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic opportunity. The invitation-only program is highly competitive, with awardees selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past awardees. Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $346 million in grants to nearly 2,000 nonprofits and helped more than 4,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills in nearly 100 communities across the U.S. through Neighborhood Builders. Phoenix was one of the first markets where the Neighborhood Builders program launched.
