Nonprofits Receive Multiyear Grants & Comprehensive Leadership Training to Expand Critical Services in Hartford  

Hartford – Bank of America today announced COMPASS Youth Collaborative (COMPASS) and Fresh Start Pallet Products Inc. (Fresh Start) as its 2024 Greater Hartford Neighborhood Builders, recognizing their work to interrupt violence and create economic opportunity. Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders® program provides multiyear flexible grant funding annually to two high-impact nonprofits in nearly 100 communities nationwide.

Both Hartford nonprofits are awarded $200,000 grants over two years, comprehensive leadership training for each organization’s executive director and an emerging leader, and access to a national network of nonprofit peers. In Greater Hartford, 35 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders to date, with the bank investing $7 million in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits.

“Nonprofits are vital to solving social challenges, improving communities, and promoting economic advancement across Greater Hartford," said Joe Gianni, president, Bank of America Greater Hartford. “Providing COMPASS Youth Collaborative and Fresh Start Pallets with flexible funding and leadership training will impact young people affected by violence and create career pathways for participants in both programs. Congratulations to this year’s Neighborhood Builders and we look forward to our continued partnership to help build a brighter future for Greater Hartford.”

COMPASS addresses issues connected to youth violence and is Hartford’s only community-based violence interruption program. COMPASS Peacebuilders, the organization’s signature program, connects young people to education, mental health support, and mentors through extensive community outreach. Peacebuilders’ Training for Employment Program (TEP) helps young people prepare for sustained, meaningful employment by providing them with the professional tools they need to succeed. Neighborhood Builder's flexible funding will help COMPASS support youth’s mental health and expand TEP employment opportunities. 

“COMPASS is proud to be a recipient of the Neighborhood Builders grant and have Bank of America as a partner in building a community where our youth feel safe, live peacefully and have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Ayelet Chozick, Director of Organizational Advancement, COMPASS Youth Collaborative.

Fresh Start hires, trains, and employs individuals recovering from addiction and life challenges in Hartford. In partnership with community organizations, Fresh Start provides education and training through the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy. Participants learn essential life skills in addition to woodworking and carpentry, gaining critical workforce skills and experience by building high-quality custom wood products. Funding from the Neighborhood Builders program will help Fresh Start expand its impact and continue to provide workplace skills training, and employment opportunities.

“Fresh Start is honored to be a recipient of this year's Bank of America Neighborhood Builders grant, said Jenna Columbus, President/CEO, Fresh Start Pallet Products Inc. “Bank of America's flexible funding for community organizations like ours creates expanded opportunities to train those new to the workforce and to remove barriers to employment.”

The Neighborhood Builders invitation-only program is highly competitive. Nonprofits are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Builders awardees. Bank of America has invested over $346 million into 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 the nationwide program.

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). 

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COMPASS Youth Collaborative

COMPASS Youth Collaborative interrupts violence in the City of Hartford by building transformative relationships with youth at the center of the violence.  COMPASS Peacebuilders provide youth tools to create sustained behavior change and transition successfully to adulthood.

Fresh Start Pallet Products Inc.

FSPP currently trains 35-40 people per year in general carpentry. We hire and train returning citizens, refugees, homeless and unemployed people, creating a safe, supportive environment. Our training program, the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy (FSA), includes classroom instruction and hands-on skill building in a professional wood shop. We focus on soft skills, like coming on time, resume building, and being reliable as well as safety--participants earn safety (OSHA10) and CPR certifications. After completing the training, participants are supported in the job search by Fresh Start staff and partners, and we hire some training graduates as well as individuals with barriers to employment directly into our social enterprise.