Two nonprofits in Long Island have been selected as recipients of the 2023 Neighborhood Builders award by Bank of America.
New Ground and Girls Inc. of Long Island were chosen for their efforts in advancing economic mobility and uplifting underserved neighborhoods on Long Island. This recognition places them among over 100 nonprofit organizations across the United States for the 2023 class. The award includes a multi-year grant, offering $200,000 in flexible funding and extensive leadership training to aid in expanding programs and services addressing homelessness and workforce equity.
The Neighborhood Builders program stands as one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments in nonprofit leadership development. It offers comprehensive leadership training for an executive director and an emerging leader on various topics including financial sustainability, human capital management, and strategic storytelling. Each recipient also receives a $200,000 grant over two years.
“Local nonprofits provide critical support and services to address our community’s needs and advance equity on Long Island,” said Marc Perez, president of Bank of America Long Island. “Both New Ground and Girls Inc. of Long Island are dedicated to creating lasting change by breaking the cycle of homelessness and equipping young women with the skills and resources to become the next generation of leaders. We look forward to seeing these organizations continue to thrive as Neighborhood Builders.”
New Ground focuses on assisting Long Island veterans and families in breaking the cycle of homelessness through comprehensive support aimed at achieving sustainable change. By providing educational, technical, and emotional support, New Ground empowers veterans and families to attain self-sufficiency and independence. With the Neighborhood Builders funding, New Ground plans to expand its housing programs to serve more veterans and families.
“New Ground is thrilled to be a 2023 Neighborhood Builders award recipient, and this could not have come at a better time,” said Shannon Boyle, executive director of New Ground. “As we prepare to grow our Long-Term Housing Program from two units to 20 by early 2025, this capacity-building support from Bank of America will allow New Ground to best prepare for this dramatic expansion. New Ground’s growth will have a direct impact on struggling families and veterans, allowing so many more to receive our intensive social work and education services to once and for all break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.”
Girls Inc. of Long Island aims to empower girls and young women from underserved communities across Long Island through research-based programs that build confidence and prepare participants for economic independence. The organization provides school and community-based programming to serve girls and young women in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, with a focus on increasing access to academic and career opportunities historically dominated by men. With the Neighborhood Builders funding, Girls Inc. of Long Island plans to enhance career-readiness initiatives and expand its reach to serve more girls and young women.
“Girls Inc. of Long Island is honored to have been chosen for Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program,” said Renee Flagler, executive director of Girls Inc. of Long Island. “The funding will have an immense impact on our organization, affording us the opportunity to increase capacity, foster more growth, and add more life-changing innovative programming for the girls in our community. We are grateful to Bank of America for their support and alignment with our charge to ensure that girls are equipped to reach their full potential and become the new generation of leaders.”
