Grants are part of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders® program, which strengthens the network of nonprofit leadership that helps local communities thrive
Year Up Baltimore has been named as the 2018 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® grant recipient for the Greater Maryland Market. The nonprofit was selected for their work in the Baltimore area to address issues fundamental to economic mobility.
As an awardee, Year Up Baltimore receives a $200,000 grant, a year of leadership training for the Executive Director and an Emerging Leader at the organization, a network of peer organizations across the U.S., and the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $220 million in 49 communities through Neighborhood Builders, partnering with more than 1,000 nonprofits and helping more than 2,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills.
“The Neighborhood Builders program creates more sustainable communities by providing nonprofits with tools to develop stronger strategic plans, chart a succession plan and enhance funding opportunities,” said Sabina Kelly, Greater Maryland Market President at Bank of America. “The Neighborhood Builders grant will help Year Up Baltimore increase its reach and help the organization provide more opportunities and pathways for young people to gain valuable skills and reach professional success. As a native Baltimorean, I’m grateful for the impact Year Up Baltimore has on our local community.”
Year Up Baltimore addresses the Opportunity Divide, which keeps youth from underserved neighborhoods from accessing opportunities to connect to the economic mainstream. Year Up Baltimore works to close that divide by providing young adults from low-income areas with marketable job skills, professional work experience and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Young adults in the program receive training on tangible skills that will help them secure full-time positions in careers such as IT and cybersecurity.
"Year Up Baltimore is very grateful to receive the 2018 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders grant. As a nonprofit which helps young adults become confident leaders while they attend college and receive training in the hard and soft skills employers want, Year Up Baltimore is looking forward to enhancing our leadership capabilities as part of this generous grant," said Roland Selby, Executive Director of Year Up Baltimore. "Because we identify 'Opportunity Youth' who are highly motivated but lack opportunities to enter the mainstream economy, the leadership training Year Up Baltimore will receive as a Neighborhood Builder will help us expand our program to even more low-income, young urban adults. Twelve million jobsrequiring post-secondary education will go unfilled in the next decade and with six million young adults disconnected from stable career pathways, this grant will enable Year Up Baltimore to further impact our young students making them ready to launch meaningful careers and contribute to our economy and community."
Over the course of Neighborhood Builders’ 15 years, Bank of America has partnered with 23nonprofits in Greater Maryland to help address issues fundamental to improving economic mobility for individuals and families, such as workforce development, community development and basic needs.
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About Year Up Baltimore
Year Up Baltimore connects Baltimore City young adults 18-24 who need opportunity with companies who need their talent. Young adults spend six months in the classroom at Year Up learning both the hard and soft skills employers want while also attending Baltimore City Community College. Then they intern for six months with one of Year Up’s partner companies, applying their skills and gaining the critical work experience necessary to provide the young adults with the professional development and work knowledge necessary to launch a meaningful career. Students earn while they learn, taking one year to a career!www.YearUp.org/Baltimore
