Local nonprofit organizations are the backbone of our communities. They address society’s toughest challenges, from housing insecurity to workforce development. But running a high-impact nonprofit requires more than just passion, it demands strong leadership and sustainable funding.
The Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Program® has been answering that need for over two decades.
As one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments in nonprofit leadership development, this program provides both flexible grant funding and comprehensive leadership training to high-impact nonprofits across the United States .
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 application cycle, including eligibility requirements, funding amounts, and how to apply before the July 1, 2026, deadline .
What Is the Neighborhood Builders Program?
Since 2004, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program has reflected the bank’s longstanding commitment to strengthening communities by investing in the organizations that serve them .
The program is unique because it does not simply write a check and walk away. Instead, it provides a two-year leadership development program where nonprofit executives connect with other established leaders, share best practices, and build a national network of peers .
Key program highlights:
- Multi-year flexible grant funding (not restricted to specific programs)
- Leadership training for the Executive Director/CEO and an Emerging Leader from the organization
- Access to a nationwide network of nonprofit peers
- Mentorship opportunities—both giving and receiving guidance
Since the program’s inception, Bank of America has invested more than $346 million in communities across the U.S., trained more than 4,000 leaders, and supported nearly 2,000 U.S. nonprofits .
How Much Funding Is Available?
The grant amount depends on your organization’s location and market size:
| Market Type | Grant Amount (over 2 years) |
| Major and Metro Markets | $200,000 |
| Suburban Markets | $50,000 |
Examples from 2025 recipients:
- Charlotte, NC (metro market): Prospera and Supportive Housing Communities each received $200,000 over two years
- Rochester, NY (suburban market): Nazareth University received $50,000 over two years
- Monterey Bay, CA (suburban market): Monterey Bay Economic Partnership received $50,000 over two years
- East Central Florida (suburban market): weVENTURE Women’s Business Center received $50,000 over two years
Important note: Some sources indicate grants can range from $100,000 to $400,000 depending on the organization’s annual revenue, with the total grant amount not exceeding 10% of the organization’s most recent annual revenue .
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
To become a Neighborhood Builder, your organization must meet the following criteria :
Basic Requirements
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit status recognized by the IRS
- Based in and serving communities in Bank of America’s eligible markets
- Financial stability – Have filed taxes with the IRS for each of the last two fiscal years
- Minimum revenue threshold – Last reported revenue must exceed 10% of the grant amount (e.g., for a $200,000 grant, revenue must exceed $20,000)
- Three-year strategic plan to advance your organization’s mission
Leadership Requirements
- Executive Director/President/CEO must have been in the role for at least two years
- Commitment to two-year leadership training for both the Executive Director and an identified Emerging Leader
- Willingness to share learnings back with the community and nonprofit team
Prior Participation Restrictions
- Not a previous Neighborhood Builders or Champions recipient on or after October 2019 (within the last seven years)
2026 Funding Priority Areas
For the 2026 award cycle, Bank of America has announced specific priority funding areas :
- Stable Housing – Creation and preservation of affordable housing, long-term rental housing, and homeownership opportunities
- Income Creation – Workforce development, advancing entrepreneurship, and financial resilience
Organizations whose missions align with these two areas will be prioritized for selection.
What Do Selected Organizations Receive?
1. Flexible Grant Funding
The grant is unrestricted (not tied to a specific program), allowing organizations to use the funds where they are needed most—whether for operational costs, capacity building, or scaling successful initiatives .
2. Leadership Training
Both the Executive Director and an identified Emerging Leader participate in a comprehensive leadership development program designed to strengthen their skills and expand their network .
3. Peer Network Access
Neighborhood Builders join a national network of nonprofit leaders, creating opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and best-practice exchange .
4. Mentorship
Participants engage in both sides of a mentoring program—receiving guidance from experienced leaders and providing mentorship to others .
2025 Recipient Examples: How Organizations Are Using the Funding
To help you understand what kinds of projects are funded, here are recent Neighborhood Builders recipients and how they used their grants:
Prospera (Charlotte, NC) – $200,000
Expanding bilingual services for small businesses and entrepreneurs, advancing economic opportunity in Hispanic and Latino communities .
Supportive Housing Communities (Charlotte, NC) – $200,000
Strengthening permanent supportive housing programs for individuals experiencing homelessness .
Nazareth University (Rochester, NY) – $50,000
Supporting the SURPASS pilot program, which makes physician assistant training accessible to rural students through hybrid learning, ultimately expanding primary care access in rural regions .
weVENTURE Women’s Business Center (Florida) – $50,000
Maintaining staffing levels to meet growing demand for free business coaching and covering registration/travel expenses for the Association of Women’s Business Centers annual conference .
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (California) – $50,000
Scaling high-impact initiatives including the Pajaro Alliance (recovery and resilience efforts) and the Monterey Bay Housing Trust (regional affordable housing financing) .
How to Apply
Application Timeline for 2026
| Event | Date |
| Application opens | June 1, 2026 |
| Application deadline | July 1, 2026 |
| Notification of selection | Late 2026 |
| Grant start date | 2027 |
Application link: Visit the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders page on the official Bank of America website to access the online application portal .
Application Tips
- Review eligibility carefully – Ensure your organization meets all requirements before starting
- Prepare your strategic plan – Have a clear three-year plan ready to share
- Identify your Emerging Leader – Select a promising leader who has been with the organization for at least two years
- Align with priority areas – Frame your work around stable housing or income creation if possible
- Demonstrate community impact – Use data and stories to show your organization’s impact
Program Contact Information
For more information about the Neighborhood Builders program:
- Website: about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/neighborhood-builders-eligibility-criteria
- Application portal access: Available through the official Bank of America Charitable Foundation site
- Direct inquiries: Contact your local Bank of America market president or community relations manager
Final Advice: Why Your Nonprofit Should Apply
The Neighborhood Builders program stands out among corporate grant opportunities for three critical reasons:
1. It is flexible. Unlike restricted grants that dictate exactly how funds must be spent, Neighborhood Builders funding can be used where your organization needs it most.
2. It invests in people, not just programs. The two-year leadership training component ensures that the impact of this investment outlasts the grant period.
3. It builds community. Joining the network of nearly 2,000 past Neighborhood Builders connects your leaders to peers facing similar challenges across the country.
With the application window open from June 1 to July 1, 2026, there is no time to waste. Start preparing your application today.
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