Bank of America Recognizes Two Miami-Dade Nonprofits with $400K
Miami-Dade continues to stand out as a model for community collaboration, driven by initiatives that strengthen social well-being and expand access to essential services. This time, Bank of America has recognized Jackson Health Foundation and Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade as “Neighborhood Builders®,” highlighting their efforts to improve community health and reduce housing insecurity for thousands of South Florida residents.
As part of the program, both organizations will receive $200,000 each over the next two years, along with comprehensive leadership training for their executive directors and emerging leaders. The recognition also provides access to a national network of nonprofit peers, encouraging the exchange of strategies to expand their local impact. Since the launch of the Neighborhood Builders program, 42 organizations in Miami-Dade have been selected, with the bank contributing more than $8.4 million in philanthropic support.
“These two local nonprofits are crucial to addressing pressing challenges such as healthcare access and affordable housing,” said Gene Schafer, president of Bank of America Miami. According to Schafer, flexible funding combined with strategic leadership development allows nonprofits to respond more effectively to urgent community needs while promoting economic opportunity for individuals and families.
Jackson Health Foundation plans to use the grant to strengthen its innovative Community Health Workers (CHWs) initiative, which connects highly trained health workers directly with the neighborhoods they serve. The program promotes health literacy, facilitates preventive screenings, and links residents to essential medical providers, while also creating career pathways for community members entering the healthcare field.
“This grant will help advance our transformative Community Health Worker program to benefit Miami-Dade communities,” said Flavia Llizo, CEO of Jackson Health Foundation. “With Bank of America’s support, we can create pathways to prosperity and significantly improve health equity, particularly in areas such as Northeast Miami-Dade.”
Meanwhile, Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade will direct the funding toward preserving affordable housing, strengthening disaster resilience, and ensuring safe living environments for low-income homeowners. The organization provides no-cost repairs, accessibility modifications, and climate-resilient upgrades that enable older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to remain safely in their homes.
“Many of the homeowners we serve lack the resources for even basic repairs, let alone preparation for hurricanes or extreme heat,” said Martina Spolini, executive director of the organization. “This support strengthens our ability to deliver safe and healthy housing.”
Nationwide, the Neighborhood Builders program has invested more than $346 million since 2004, training over 4,000 leaders across nearly 2,000 nonprofits. The initiative reinforces Bank of America’s long-standing commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities—starting at the local level and creating meaningful opportunities for those who need them most.
