The Bank of America Charitable Foundation is awarding $200,000 in grants to Connecticut nonprofits that provide services including building and rehabbing of affordable housing, homeowner counseling, and foreclosure prevention programs. The funds are part of a larger housing-related initiative that will benefit underserved individuals and families in 34 states.
Greater Hartford organizations receiving grants are:
• Community Solutions
• Connecticut Housing Coalition
• Hartford Areas Rally TogetherÂ
• Housing Education Resource Center
• Mutual Housing Association of Greater Hartford
• Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain
• North End Action Team
• Rebuilding Together — Manchester
• Rebuilding Together — New Britain
• Urban League of Greater Hartford
Philanthropic support is one of the ways that Bank of America is addressing the foreclosure crisis and helping revitalize neighborhoods. Since 2008, the company has completed more than 1 million loan modifications, including nearly 14,000 in Connecticut. Bank of America also hosted mortgage outreach events earlier this year in Hartford, where customers facing financial difficulties met face-to-face with a specialist to discuss their situation.
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REI donates to parks
National outdoor retail co-op REI will donate $200,000 to New England non-profits dedicated to environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation.Â
In total, 16 nonprofits across New England will receive grants this year, including $10,000 to each the Connecticut Forest & Parks Association and the Knox Parks Foundation in Hartford.
The Connecticut Forest and Parks Association is the statewide non-profit caring for and maintaining the over 800 miles of Blue Blazed hiking trails in Connecticut.
The CFPA also provides recreational opportunities through their Family Rambles and Environmental Education programs. REI’s grant will help to support volunteer trainings to ensure a network of stewards for hiking trails throughout the state. Hartford’s Knox Parks Foundation works with volunteers to beautify the city and create green spaces for all to enjoy.
REI Norwalk grants include $7,621 to the New England Mountain Bike Association, Fairfield County Chapter, to support the monthly trail maintenance program, with the goal of doubling the amount of volunteers served in 2013. REI Norwalk also gave $9,020 to the Norwalk River Watershed Association to help support the Norwalk River Valley Enhancement Project, an effort to connect existing sections of hiking/biking trail across five towns.
REI’s grants focus on supporting non-profit organizations that are leaders in providing fun, rewarding and meaningful volunteer opportunities in the outdoors. They are part of a $3.9 million program nationally.
Library gets grant
The Connecticut State Department of Education awarded Hartford Public Library a $35,000 Adult Education Program Improvement Project grant for English Literacy/Civics instruction.
The project is aimed at Hartford’s low literate refugee and immigrant populations by assisting them to become less isolated within the community, reduce barriers to their civic participation, and help them begin their path toward citizenship.
The program will be offered by the Library through The American Place, which is a sustained and comprehensive program of services for Hartford’s immigrant and refugee populations, and serves over 1,500 immigrants each year.
