DETROIT — The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded the Southwest Detroit Business Association and the Coalition On Temporary Shelter $200,000 in flexible funding and leadership training as part of its 2014 Neighborhood Builders grant program.
The program, which has provided more than $1 million in grants since 2008, is a strategic investment that seeks to increase the longevity of nonprofits that play a beneficial role in the Detroit community.
“Over the last six years, we’ve heard from past recipients that the combination of unrestricted funding and leadership training has fundamentally changed their organizations and helped them stay competitive in an ever-changing environment,” says Matt Elliott, Michigan market president for Bank of America.
The Coalition On Temporary Shelter will use the grant money to acquire additional staff to support their programs that serve the homeless community as well as to develop curriculum for future programs.
The Southwest Detroit Business Association will expand projects that include creating jobs for Detroiters, implementing training programs for small business owners, and cleaning blighted areas to created spaces for future businesses. The funding will also allow the association to develop commercial and residential communities, producing more growth in the areas and giving businesses a chance to expand their operations and hire more local employees.