GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Bank of America celebrated its “Day of Giving” in Grand Rapids by recognizing its 2023 nonprofit partners in West Michigan, bank employee volunteers and overall community impact for the year.
The day of giving on Dec. 4 kicked off with more than 20 bank employees volunteering at Grand Valley State University’s Replenish Basic Needs Center, which helps provide various resource to students in need like food, clothing, personal care and household items, school supplies. and referrals to housing, physical and mental health services, and employment. And it ended with an afternoon “GIVE Grand Rapids” celebration held at Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus in Grand Rapids with local community and nonprofit leaders, bank employees and alumni of the Bank of America Student Leaders® program.
This year, Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grand Rapids Market contributed $725,000 in West Michigan through grants, investments, sponsorships and engagements. These partnerships focused on ensuring individuals and families in West Michigan have tools and resources to improve economic mobility and access essential services such as emergency shelter, affordable housing, food and financial education.
Additionally, Bank of America employees logged over 4,000 hours volunteering with local partner organizations and participating on the boards of 73 nonprofits.
“At Bank of America, we remain committed to investing in local nonprofits that are creating positive change within our community by helping neighbors find a path toward a better and brighter future,” said Renee Tabben, Grand Rapids Market President, Bank of America. “Through our strategic partnerships and with the thousands of hours our employee volunteers give each year, we are cultivating a legacy of impact, empowering dreams and building a strong foundation for a community we proudly serve.”
Organizations receiving grants this year include:
- City of Grand Rapids GROW Academy
- Economic Club of Grand Rapids
- Family Promise of West Michigan
- Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
- Grand Rapids Pride Center
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Grand Rapids Symphony
- Housing Kent
- Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes
- Kent County Habitat for Humanity
- Lakeshore Advantage
- Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)
- Latina Network of West Michigan
- Safe Haven Ministries
- The Right Place
- West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- West Michigan Spartans
- Women’s Resource Center
- World Affairs Council
A highlight of the “GIVE Grand Rapids” celebration was the announcement of Bank of America’s 2023 Neighborhood Champion in Grand Rapids, Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP). LAUP empowers Latinos to participate in creating a better community for all through advocacy, celebration and education. As a Neighborhood Champion, LAUP will receive $50,000 in flexible funding and the opportunity to participate in comprehensive leadership training by experts in the nonprofit sector, covering topics such as increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling.
The organization will also join a network of peer organizations across the U.S. and get the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. Since 2019, Bank of America has invested more than $7 million in more than 200 organizations within more than 40 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program.
“We express deep gratitude for Bank of America’s investment in a historically underserved community,” said Johnny Rodriguez, President and CEO of LAUP. “This neighborhood champion grant not only brings stability to LAUP but also acts as a springboard for organizational transformation. It enables us to enhance staff capabilities through professional development, ensuring better service to the needs of the West Michigan Community. With this grant, LAUP is poised to strengthen its presence, providing essential programs and services while expanding impact to better serve the evolving community as they wish to be served.”
The celebration featured a panel discussion with Rodriguez as well as leaders from Grand Rapids area organizations that were previously named Neighborhood Champions: LaSandra (Sandra) Gaddy, CEO, Women’s Resource Center; Cheryl Schuch, CEO of Family Promise; Guillermo Cisneros, President and CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Rachel VerWys, CEO of Safe Haven Ministries. Together, they discussed how the leadership development component of the program has been a game changer for them and their staff. Often, non-profits don’t have the resources to supply this caliber of training along with the opportunity to build a comprehensive network within the national non-profit community.
Bank of America also hosted a panel discussion with its 2023 Grand Rapids Student Leaders — Judy Mukamurenzi and Lena Reeves — who participated in the bank’s eight-week paid summer internship program, offering students firsthand experience in serving their communities while also learning workforce skills, leadership and civic engagement. The Student Leaders were joined by Tenisa Frye, CEO of Family Promise of West Michigan, who shared how the students played a vital role last summer while working at her nonprofit organization.
Merrill Senior Vice President Rachel Mraz, a Wealth Management advisor, also received special recognition as a 2023 Bank of America Global Volunteer award recipient. Mraz has volunteered for nearly 20 years with the Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, a nonprofit organization that uses equine-based therapy to help improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages who are physically, mentally and socially/emotionally challenged. She also serves as the Equest Center board president.
Bank of America in Grand Rapids awarded more than $5.5 million to fund partner initiatives over the past decade, and its employees have spent thousands of hours supporting these important organizations.
