Celebrating Five Years of Neighborhood Champion Program in the North Bay, Bank of America Names Canal Alliance as its 2024 Neighborhood Champion Recipient
November 7, 2024
Commemorating its fifth year, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Champions® program provides multiyear flexible grant funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in nearly 40 communities nationwide. In the North Bay, Bank of America has named Canal Alliance as its local 2024 Neighborhood Champion for its work to lift underserved households out of poverty and on the path to economic self-sufficiency and success.
As a Neighborhood Champion, Canal Alliance receives a $50,000 grant over two years, leadership training resources for the organization’s executive director, access to technical coaching and a national network of nonprofit peers.
“This year we celebrate five years of strengthening North Bay nonprofits that deliver solutions to local challenges through the Neighborhood Champions program,” said Jason Foster, president, Bank of America North Bay. “Providing high-impact nonprofits like Canal Alliance with flexible funding and leadership training helps them address critical needs and create meaningful lasting change. Countless individuals, families and neighborhoods have felt the profound impact that these Neighborhood Champion nonprofits have had in the North Bay over the past five years.”
Established in 1982, the San Rafael-based Canal Alliance provides hands-on services around economic readiness, college preparation and career skills, among other resources, to Marin County’s lower-income households, including in-language services to the region’s growing Latino population working in key economic sectors from healthcare and construction to agribusiness.
The nonprofit will use the Neighborhood Champion grant for technology upgrades that will streamline client services for more impactful and immediate outcomes.
“For 42 years, Canal Alliance has served Marin County’s Latino community, and for most of those years, Bank of America has stood beside us as a core partner and investor in our mission,” said Omar Carrera, CEO, Canal Alliance. “We are grateful to Bank of America for this significant and flexible grant, which comes at a pivotal moment for the agency and will enhance our organization’s capacity for the future. The grant award will advance our use of technology to support clients’ efforts to achieve financial stability, and the leadership development support will prepare our team for future challenges.”
Neighborhood Champions 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 2019, Bank of America has invested over $9 million in more than 200 nonprofits within more than 40 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program.
Past North Bay Neighborhood Champions include: Santa Rosa Community Health Centers, La Luz Center, 10,000 Degrees, Community Action Marin, and Agricultural Institute of Marin.
