Child Crisis Arizona Receives $200,000 BofA Phoenix Neighborhood Builders Grant
(MESA, Ariz. – Dec. 17, 2024) – Child Crisis Arizona is honored to announce the organization has been chosen as a 2024 Neighborhood Builder by BofA Phoenix for its work building career pathways and providing comprehensive services to children, youth, and families within the Valley’s population. The honor, which was also presented to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley locally, includes a two-year grant in the amount of $200,000 to support comprehensive leadership training for Child Crisis Arizona chief executive officer Torrie A. Taj and emerging leader recipient EJ Hughes, who has served the organization since 2016 and is currently chief operating officer of the organization. Since the program’s inception in 2004, 42 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Phoenix, with the bank investing more than $8.4million in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits
“Celebrating 20 years of strengthening Phoenix nonprofits that provide innovative solutions to complex local challenges and promote economic advancement is a remarkable milestone,” said Scott Vanderpool, president, Bank of America Phoenix. “With the combination of flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training, we have helped our community’s nonprofits address the critical needs we face in the Valley, positively impacting countless individuals, families and neighborhoods over the past two decades.”
Child Crisis Arizona exists to provide children and youth in Arizona with a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families. Since 2015, they have broadened their target population to include foster teens and young adults exiting the child welfare system, refugee children, and families experiencing poverty. The bank’s funding will directly support hundreds of children, youth, and families enrolled in their Early Education and Independent Living programs. It will also supplement staff salaries, program supplies, and resources for their clients, address inequity gaps and empower clients to become strong, contributing members of society.
“With a 100% enrollment rate in Early Education since 2022, and over 30 families currently waiting for services, as well as 92% occupancy in our Independent Living program, this award couldn’t come at a more pivotal time,” said Torrie Taj, chief executive officer, Child Crisis Arizona. “It’s a vital step toward expanding our services and deepening our impact in the lives of those who need it most.”
Neighborhood Builders is part of the bank’s longstanding efforts to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic opportunity. The invitation-only program is highly competitive, with awardees selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past awardees. Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $346 million in grants to nearly 2,000 nonprofits and helped more than 4,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills in nearly 100 communities across the U.S. through Neighborhood Builders. Phoenix was one of the first markets where the Neighborhood Builders program launched.
About Child Crisis Arizona
Since 1977, Child Crisis Arizona has served vulnerable children and families in Arizona and is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect through education and intervention. Child Crisis Arizona offers emergency shelter, residential care with education and health services for children and youth from birth to 21 and offers foster care and adoption services, early education as well communitywide parenting classes, workshops, support groups and much more. Child Crisis Arizona has positively impacted nearly 100,000 children and families since its inception. Visit www.childcrisisaz.org to learn more.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC). For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.
