Nonprofits Trenton Health Team and Interfaith Neighbors are providing programs and services that address New Jersey health and neighborhood revitalization needs — helping others chart a path toward economic opportunity.
Bank of America is now helping them.
Trenton Health Team and Interfaith Neighbors have been named as the 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders awardees for their work in the New Jersey community removing economic barriers and advancing economic opportunity. As such, each organization will receive a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for their executive director and additional training for an emerging leader at the organization.
The training will include topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling. The groups also will join a network of peer organizations 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.
Bank of America officials feel Neighborhood Builders is a great example of how the bank deploys capital in communities, builds cross-sector partnerships and promotes socioeconomic progress as part of its approach to responsible growth.
Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey, said the bank is happy to support those doing such significant work.
Neighborhood Builders
In New Jersey, 38 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders since 2004, with Bank of America investing $7.6 million into these local organizations. The 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.
“Both Trenton Health Team and Interfaith Neighbors address significant needs we face in New Jersey,” he said. “It’s important that we support leaders in the nonprofit community not only with capital, but the resources and training to position these organizations and their leaders for long-term growth and impact.”
A look at the two:
- Trenton Health Team: It is an innovative nonprofit dedicated to the health and well-being of the greater Trenton community. THT has expanded in recent years to address a broader range of health concerns, including housing equality, food insecurities, neighborhood safety, education, social cohesion and equity. It will use the grant funding to expand its community advocacy and engagement efforts, amplifying resident voices on issues that impact the health and well-being of themselves and their communities. “Barriers in access to health care and other inequitable socioeconomic conditions in places like Trenton make it critical that residents are engaged as advocates and experts in determining the future of their communities,” CEO Gregory Paulson said. “With this support from Bank of America, we can further expand and deepen our efforts to support community engagement with the goal of improving health and well-being.”
- Interfaith Neighbors: It is focused on equitably and sustainably transforming Asbury Park’s Westside neighborhood through effective, community-based planning. Interfaith Neighbors also serves all of Monmouth County through its signature Rental & Mortgage Assistance and local Meals on Wheels programs. It will use its grant funding to launch new projects aimed at expanding neighborhood access to healthy activities and food choices. “Interfaith Neighbors recently completed its second 10-year neighborhood revitalization plan to eliminate disparities and promote the principals of a healthy and connected community,” Executive Director Paul McEvily said. “This funding from Bank of America will help us bring that plan to life and enact lasting, meaningful change in our communities.”
