Durham Tech Foundation named 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder

The Foundation will receive $200,000, leadership resources.

Bank of America has selected Durham Technical Community College Foundation as one of this year’s two Neighborhood Builder award winners.

The Foundation will be awarded $200,000 over the next two years towards various projects undertaken by the Center for College and Community Service as well as leadership training.

The Neighborhood Builders program supports nonprofits nationwide who address economic mobility and social progress issues in their communities through workforce development, education, and community development, according to the program’s website.

“The Durham Tech Foundation fills the gap between college resources and the growing needs of today’s students," said Melissa Chappell, Executive Director of the Durham Tech Foundation. "We are thrilled to be selected as a 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder.”

Overseeing the grant at Durham Tech will be Chappell as executive director and Erin Riney, Director of Student Engagement and the grant’s emerging leader. Both will receive leadership training and connection to a national network of peer organizations.

Durham Tech plans to use its funding to expand student support services and health and wellness efforts and to partner on affordable housing for students and the local community.

“Durham Tech has some great supports already in place for students who are under-resourced, and now we’ll be able to coordinate those efforts and provide additional assistance,” Riney said. “This grant allows us to put in place many of the programs and supports we know our students need, especially our students who are parents. We are excited to advance our work to increase students’ access to health and wellness services and to find solutions for our housing insecure students. These funds will make a real difference in our students’ lives.”

Bank of America awarded the recognition this year to 97 other organizations in the nation, according to the letter notifying Durham Tech of its award. Families Moving Forward, of Durham, was this year’s other local winner. Only three other nonprofits in the Triangle have received this recognition since 2016, according to a news release.

Durham Tech joined Families Moving Forward in officially being recognized for the award Wednesday at a community event in Raleigh followed by a press conference in the Lyon Board Room on the Durham Tech Main Campus. Durham Tech then hosted representatives from Bank of America on campus to tour the Optical Shop and the Campus Harvest Food Pantry.

“We are excited to support the Durham community by partnering with the Durham Tech Foundation and Families Moving Forward,” said Kari Stolz, Triangle Market President for Bank of America. “Both organizations endeavor daily to improve the lives of individuals in Durham, and through a program like Neighborhood Builders, both nonprofits have the power to grow strategically and advance sustainable growth in the community.”

Bank of America’s relationship with the Durham Tech Foundation extends back to 2005, awarding the Foundation a total of $338,410.

For more information on the Durham Tech Center for College and Community Service, visit durhamtech.edu/community-engagement.

Related:

• Bank of America awards Durham Tech $23,500 for new construction, community revitalization initiative

Contact Stephanie Turner, Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator, at turners@durhamtech.edu for more.