Neighborhood Builders Program Grant

The Neighborhood Builders Program, supported by Bank of America, empowers 501(c)(3) nonprofits through a two-year leadership development initiative. Participants receive funding, training, and networking opportunities to enhance their impact in communities. Since its inception, the program has invested over $346 million, training more than 4,000 leaders. The initiative focuses on advancing social mobility and economic opportunities, ensuring affordable housing, and fostering resilient communities. This program is vital for nonprofits aiming to strengthen their leadership and community engagement.

Local nonprofit organizations play an important role in addressing societal challenges and advancing economic opportunity in our communities. Since 2004, our commitment to the Neighborhood Builders® program has reflected Bank of America’s longstanding and continued philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership development across the U.S. Over two decades, we’ve invested more than $346 million in communities across the U.S. and trained more than 4,000 leaders at nearly 2,000 U.S. nonprofits.
As a Neighborhood Builder, you will participate in a two-year leadership development program, where you will connect with other established nonprofit organizations and leaders. In addition, you will receive a grant to further capacity creation for your nonprofit. Neighborhood Builders will be asked to share their learnings back with their community and participate in both sides of a mentoring program.
Funding Priorities
Advance social mobility and economic opportunity through support of either of the following:
Income creation: Enabling job or career readiness and exposure, sustainable incomes, advancing entrepreneurship, small business and/or financial resilience.Creating access to education and exposure (i.e., mentorship, financial literacy, job exposure)Developing the workforce (i.e., career training, community college programs)Supporting small business resiliency (i.e., leadership training, technical assistance, connecting capital).Providing stable housing: Ensuring affordable housing solutions and services through creation and preservation of affordable housing, long-term rental housing and home ownership opportunities.Creation and preservation of affordable housing (i.e., new housing units, making current units more livable, eviction prevention)Access to affordable rentals (i.e., credit counseling, services for landlords, rental application and translation services)Access to affordable homes (i.e., homebuyer education, comprehensive counseling, budgeting and saving, down payment assistance).

Eligibility

Open to 501(C)(3) nonprofit organizations.To become a Neighborhood Builder, you must:Be a recognized nonprofit by the IRS or in-country equivalent with last reported revenue that exceeds 10% of NB funding grant ($50,000 for nonprofits located in suburban markets and $200,000 for nonprofits located in major and metro markets)Must be based and serve communities in these marketsHave filed taxes with the IRS in the two subsequent years prior to the program and be financially soundHave a three-year plan to advance the impact of your nonprofit’s missionBe able to participate in a two-year leadership training program for both your nonprofit CEO (or equivalent) and an Emerging LeaderHave an Executive Director/President/CEO that has been at the organization for at least two years (in role)Agree to return your learnings to your community and nonprofit team

Ineligibility

Must not have been a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder or Champion recipient from the last seven years.Must not be working through a fiscal agent or sponsor.Does not fund:athleticsendowmentsfellowship programsfraternal organizationsfurtherance of religious beliefsgovernment agenciesindividual K-12 school or school-related activityindividual scholarshipsmemorial and/or honor campaignprivate or non-operating foundationproduction of media