Citizens Bank Foundation Seeking Applications for Growing Communities Initiative

The Citizens Bank Foundation today announced a second round of funding for its Growing Communities initiative, which supports economic development to help build strong neighborhoods across New Hampshire. Through Growing Communities, the Citizens Bank Foundation will award grants ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 for projects that foster neighborhood revitalization in distressed communities, support local economic activity and create jobs. The application deadline is May 17, 2013.

“The Growing Communities initiative is an opportunity to address critical challenges that our communities are facing and help to restore strength and vibrancy to neighborhoods across the state,” said Joe Carelli, President of Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, New Hampshire and Vermont. “We look forward to investing in collaborative partnerships that have a strong impact on neighborhoods, spur additional investment and demonstrate measureable and meaningful results.”

Last year the Citizens Bank Foundation launched the Growing Communities initiative in New Hampshire by providing $85,000 in grants to three projects that are enhancing neighborhoods, supporting small businesses, providing job training and increasing access to nutritious foods. These include the revitalization of the Hall & Lake Street Community Center in Manchester, the Common Earth Farms Food Hub on Manchester’s West Side and the Berlin Main Street Program’s Downtown Promotion initiative.

Eligible community development activities include:

• Job creation
• Workforce development activities
• Small business development
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Activities to encourage patronage of local businesses
• Activities to make an area more livable

Projects eligible for the Growing Communities initiative must meet the following criteria:

• Be focused on improving the quality of a specific neighborhood within a New Hampshire town or city where Citizens Bank has a presence.
• Establish clear goals that will demonstrate measureable outcomes.

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations and meet all the eligibility requirements of the Citizens Bank Foundation.

Priority consideration will be given to projects that serve low- or moderate-income individuals, that strongly impact a community in need, that foster collaboration with other partners and that demonstrate a plan for long-term sustainability. 

The deadline for applications is May 17, 2013. To obtain an application, please contact Kathleen Reardon at 603.634.7232 or Kathleen.Reardon@rbscitizens.com.

There will be a conference call to answer any questions on the application process on May 1, 2013, at 10 a.m. Those who have questions can join the call by dialing 866.802.4323.