UCD Selected as Philadelphia Market Recipient of Bank of America's Neighborhood Builders Award

We are thrilled to announce we have been named the 2016 market recipient for Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders® award. This coveted grant is given to support high-performing nonprofits making a significant impact in the community.

Bank of America presented us with the $200,000 award at a check presentation on April 25th, 2017. At the check presentation, Bank of America leadership met with UCD staff, UCD Board leadership and graduates of our West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) to learn more about UCD’s unique approach to helping local residents find meaningful employment with our employer partners. 

The funds will provide general operating support for UCD as well as support for leadership development over the course of 2017. While the grant was made in recognition of UCD’s comprehensive set of initiatives – from creating great public spaces to restoring vacant properties to useful life– it is primarily intended to support the growth of UCD’s nationally recognized job training program, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI). Bank of America has been a longstanding supporter of the Skills Initiative, which connects West Philadelphia employers seeking talent with West Philadelphia residents seeking opportunity.

As part of the professional development component of the award, Matt Bergheiser, UCD’s President, and Sheila Ireland, UCD’s Vice President of Workforce Development, are attending the Neighborhood Builders Leadership Program®, a powerful leadership development training designed to help executives increase their efficacy in achieving the mission of their organization. The workshops are held throughout the year, and provide an opportunity for leaders to learn from highly acclaimed speakers and their peers.    

With the help of the Neighborhood Builders Award, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is prepared to expand the number of individuals served, grow its employer partners, and explore new employment opportunities by creating business ventures fueled by partnerships with its institutional stakeholders. We are deeply grateful to Bank of America for their continued support. 

About Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Since 2004, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has invested millions in more than 900 nonprofit organizations and provided leadership resources to nearly 2,000 nonprofit leaders through Neighborhood Builders and the Neighborhood Builders Leadership Program®. This long-term investment in nonprofit leadership development and capacity building is the largest philanthropic investment of its kind.

Neighborhood Builders is just one example of our broader corporate social responsibility efforts to build vibrant communities and economies. By advancing partnerships with nonprofits addressing needs related to community development, basic human services and workforce development and education, we are working to increase financial stability and help individuals and families find the pathways out of poverty.