The Neighborhood Builders® Program Provides $200,000 in Flexible Funding and Leadership Development Training to Advance Economic Mobility Across the Inland Empire
Inland Empire, Calif. – The Neighborhood Builders program continues to be the nation’s largest investment into nonprofit leadership development. Each organization receives a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader on topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling, joins a network of peer organizations across the U.S., and has an opportunity to access capital.
“Nonprofits are the spirit of our communities, connecting with those struggling to overcome barriers and helping people get on the path toward economic stability,” said Bansree Parikh, president, Bank of America Inland Empire. “It’s important that we direct not only capital, but the necessary resources and training to help position these nonprofits and their leadership for long-term success.”
As the economy begins to rebound from the pandemic, unfortunately the jobless rate for individuals with a disability is about twice as high as the rate for those without a disability. For more than 70 years, OPARC has provided life-enhancing services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and serves more than 800 adults with I/DD in Southern California by offering critical employment and developmental programs. OPARC will use the grant to help build Phase One of the OPARC Academy Workforce Development Center and EXPLORE program to provide vocational exploration and training for persons with disabilities, to expand programs to provide Autism Services at OPARC’s Montclair location, and leadership training focused on developing current and new staff.
“It is an exciting time for OPARC as we embark on a number of program enhancements which will enable us to serve our program participants at a higher level,” said Stacey Proctor, President and CEO, OPARC. “Job training and placement is a critical element to the lives and goals of the people we serve. The support we are receiving from Bank of America allows us to enhance these programs, which give our participants self-esteem and pride, and allow them to spend their own money and be contributing members of our communities.”
Since 2004, through the Neighborhood Builders program Bank of America has invested more than $300 million in 92 communities across the nation, partnered with more than 1,500 nonprofits, and helped 3,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. This invitation-only program is highly competitive, and organizations are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Builders honorees.
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.
OPARC is grateful for being selected as one of the 2022 Neighborhood Builders® by Bank of America, which will allow us to enhance current programs and launch new programs to meet more needs in our community and strengthen our commitment to the people we serve.