Celebrating 20 Years of Nonprofit Investments in Miami, BofA Announces WOW Center AND Friends of the Underline as its 2024 Neighborhood Builder Honorees Each Receives a Multiyear Grant & Comprehensive Leadership Training to Expand Critical Services Locally  
 
MIAMI – Celebrating its 20th year, Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders® program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development, while providing unique multiyear flexible grant funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in nearly 100 communities nationwide. In Miami, Bank of America has named WOW Center and Friends of the Underline as its 2024 Neighborhood Builders for their work to uplift and provide opportunities for local individuals in the community.
 
Specifically, both Miami nonprofits are each awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for each organization’s executive director and an emerging leader, and access to a national network of nonprofit peers. Since the program’s inception in 2004, over 30 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Miami, with the bank investing more than $6 million in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits.  Nationwide since 2004, Bank of America has invested over $300 million into nearly 1,800 nonprofits and helped more than 3,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills through the Neighborhood Builders program. “This year we celebrate 20 years of strengthening Miami nonprofits that provide solutions to local challenges and promote economic advancement,” said Gene Schaefer, president, Bank of America Miami. “Providing these nonprofits with flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training helps them address critical needs and create meaningful lasting change in our communities. Countless individuals, families and neighborhoods have felt the profound impact that these 40 Neighborhood Builder nonprofits have had in Miami over the past two decades.” 

WOW Center is an Adult Day Training (ADT) center that provides opportunities and resources to over 200 local adults with developmental disabilities. The center offers a variety of programs to help foster growth and independence, including programs involving life skills, art, sports, music therapy, supported employment, therapy services and workforce training. This new grant funding will allow the WOW Center to double its efforts offering the kind of personalized support and tailored goal setting that help adults with disabilities thrive and gain essential life skills.

“We are deeply grateful to Bank of America for the prestigious Neighborhood Builders award, which empowers us to strengthen our leadership culture and expand our reach. This support brings us closer to our vision, opening doors to opportunities and resources so that young and aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live, work, and fully enjoy life throughout our community.”

Friends of the Underline is a nonprofit that aims to transform the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 10-mile iconic linear park. This Underline project not only connects communities and creates over 120 acres of restored natural habitats, but it also offers a sustainable workforce initiative called Green Leaders, which collaborates with local horticulture and technology experts to upskill local residents. The funding from the bank will support the organization as it continues to create sustainable income opportunities and foster a more resilient community.

“The Underline is honored to be selected for this highly competitive grant,” said Patrice Gillespie Smith, President & COO of Friends of The Underline. “Thanks to Bank of America’s financial support and executive development, our park will be positioned to grow community impact through more environmental programs and green jobs that will ultimately enhance Miami’s resilience.”

The Neighborhood Builders invitation-only program is highly competitive. Nonprofits are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Builders awardees. The first markets Bank of America launched the Neighborhood Builders program in 2004 were: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Broward, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Newark, New York, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, DC.

Bank of America  
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