Bank of America to be Recognized for Support of National Service

For Immediate Release

February 13, 2017

Contact: Ranit Schmelzer
202-538-1065
ranit@schmelzerstrategies.com

Bank of America to be Recognized for Support of National Service

Multinational banking and financial services corporation among bipartisan group of national service advocates being honored

Washington, D.C. – Voices for National Service, a diverse coalition of national and local service programs, state service commissions and individual champions, who work to ensure Americans of all ages have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community, will present Bank of America with its Corporate Service Award for the company’s extraordinary and longstanding dedication to the national service movement.

Kerry Sullivan, president of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, will accept the award on behalf of the company during the 14th Annual Friends of National Service Awards on February 14, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Bank of America joins a bipartisan group of distinguished leaders in government, business, and journalism from across the nation being honored, including Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK) and David Price (D-NC), Mayor David Condon (R-Spokane, WA), and journalist David Brooks of The New York Times. Click here to see the full list of award winners and details regarding the event.

“For decades, Bank of America has been a critical partner in the national service movement,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service. “Through transformative investments, Bank of America has enabled countless national service programs to deepen their impact and expand their reach. Bank of America was also instrumental in creating and launching the Financial Opportunity Corps, an AmeriCorps VISTA project that provides financial coaching to 12 communities around the nation. In honor of Bank of America’s ongoing efforts to support service initiatives and expand opportunities for Americans to serve and develop as leaders, Voices for National Service is proud to honor them with the Corporate Service Award.”

“We recognize that national service provides individuals with a tangible opportunity to address some of the most critical issues we face in our country and around the world,” said Kerry Sullivan, president of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.  “We support numerous AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA partnerships in order to help build thriving communities and create shared success.  We believe in the power and impact of our employee volunteers, and we’re honored to partner with Voices for National Service to mobilize individuals for a full year of service around the power and impact of serving others.”

The honorees were selected based on recognition and support for national service as a solution to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. Each award winner has helped to raise public awareness of national service and elevate service as a national priority.

National service is a cost-effective strategy for engaging citizens, improving communities and strengthening the nation. In communities across the country, national service members of all ages and backgrounds provide critical services to fulfill unmet needs. National service members tutor and mentor struggling students, help Americans lead healthier lives, provide job training and other services to returning veterans, preserve the nation’s parks and public lands, offer disaster relief and recovery assistance after natural disasters and support independent living for seniors and Americans with disabilities. For every federal dollar invested in national service, there are returns to society of nearly four dollars in terms of higher earnings, increased output and other community-wide benefits.

Congress created the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that oversees national service programs such as AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, to be a public-private partnership that invests limited federal dollars to leverage substantial private investment to improve lives and communities. In 2015, CNCS generated $1.26 billion in outside resources from private businesses, foundations, and other sources, an amount exceeding the federal appropriation. Furthermore, a recent survey of AmeriCorps alumni found that eight out of 10 alumni say AmeriCorps benefited and advanced their career path, and that AmeriCorps alumni are more likely to attain a bachelor’s degree or higher than the average American adult.

The 14th Annual Friends of National Service Awards is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal and CSX.

Details

14th Annual Friends of National Service Awards
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 6:30 – 8:30pm (pre-reception 5:30 – 6:30pm)
East Hall at Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC

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Voices for National Service is a diverse coalition of national and local service programs, state service commissions and individual champions, who work to ensure Americans of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and helped to elevate national service as a powerful strategy for tackling unmet needs, preparing young people for work, uniting our country and developing civic character.