Food Bank receives $200,000 Bank of America grant

Food Bank of Delaware has been named one of Bank of America’s 2024 Neighborhood Builders in Delaware. The Precision Institute in Wilmington was also selected. 

The two nonprofits were recognized for their work addressing food security and economic mobility, and building career pathways for Delaware’s neurodiverse population.

Each organization will receive a $200,000 grant over two years and comprehensive leadership training for their respective executive director and an emerging leader, along with access to a national network of nonprofit peers.

Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development, while providing unique, multiyear, flexible grant funding annually to two high-impact nonprofits in nearly 100 communities nationwide.

Since the program’s inception in 2004, 31 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Delaware, with the bank investing more than $6.2 million in philanthropic capital into these organizations. 

"With this presentation, we celebrate 20 years of strengthening Delaware nonprofits that provide critical services to our local communities, address social challenges and promote economic mobility in the First State,” said Chip Rossi, Bank of America Delaware president. “Providing the Food Bank of Delaware and The Precision Institute with flexible funding and leadership training will position both nonprofits for long-term, sustainable growth, allowing them to continue to serve our communities for years to come.”

The Food Bank of Delaware, a long-standing Bank of America partner and 2009 Neighborhood Builders recipient, distributes nourishing food statewide through food pantries located on-site at its Milford and Newark locations, a network of community pantries throughout the state, home delivery services, mobile pantries, weekend meals for kids, and its senior nutrition program. In addition to its critical food distribution services, the Food Bank provides workforce and community development programming. This new grant funding will allow the Food Bank to expand its workforce development and training programs, and direct critical services to the communities that need them most.

“Last year, the Food Bank of Delaware distributed more than 19.5 million meals to individuals, families and communities across the state,” said Cathy Kanefsky, FBD president and CEO. “Being a repeat recipient of the Neighborhood Builders grant provides the Food Bank with vital unrestricted funding, allowing us to expand our economic mobility and workforce development programs, and to continue to provide critical food distribution services throughout Delaware.”

The Precision Institute assesses and trains individuals impacted by autism and other developmental disabilities to prepare them for full-time employment in the technology and business services industries. The nonprofit’s multi-week workforce development program helps neurodiverse job seekers identify their unique strengths, build communication skills, and develop essential technical competences to obtain jobs with competitive wages, benefits and opportunities for career growth. The Neighborhood Builders grant funding will underwrite the assessment and training program, support the nonprofit’s newly launched driving simulator program for neurodiverse teens and adults, and help position leadership for long-term success.

“Outcomes are the most important aspect of our work at The Precision Institute,” said Janet Atwater, executive director. “This award will fund our assessment and training program, which is offered at no cost to candidates, and contribute to the ongoing development of our driving simulator program, expanding our nonprofit’s capabilities and services. Because there is an unemployment/underemployment rate of over 75% for neurodiverse individuals, The Precision Institute is dedicated to removing barriers to employment by providing accessible training programs that empower candidates to find their strengths and develop the skills they need to obtain meaningful employment and build successful careers.”

Neighborhood Builders is part of the bank’s long-standing 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 consisting of community leaders and past awardees.