Habitat for Humanity Portland Region and Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon Named BofA’s 2023 Neighborhood Builders®

Each Nonprofit Will Receive $200,000 in Flexible Funding and Leadership Training to Advance Economic Mobility in Portland

Today, Bank of America announced Habitat for Humanity Portland Region and Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) as the 2023 Neighborhood Builders® awardees for their work advancing economic mobility and building up neighborhoods in the Portland community. This multi-year grant funding and extensive leadership training for the nonprofits’ management teams, programs and services, will grow their impact on affordable housing and entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunities for underserved communities.

The Neighborhood Builders program is one of the largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development in the nation, providing comprehensive leadership training for an executive director and an emerging leader on topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability and human capital management, to strategic storytelling and the opportunity to join a national network of peer organizations. Each Builder is also awarded a $200,000 grant over two years.

“Nonprofits are vital to solving social challenges, improving communities and promoting economic advancement,” said Roger Hinshaw, president, Bank of America Portland. “Both of these nonprofits are addressing critical needs in our community and we are thrilled to provide flexible funding and leadership training that supports sustainable, long-term success, so they can continue to serve communities of color and promote economic mobility and stability through homeownership and entrepreneurship.”

Habitat for Humanity Portland Region builds up our community by addressing the issue of affordable housing, mobilizing the Portland area with impactful, meaningful and lasting action. This new grant funding will support their Black homeownership program in the Portland region, prioritizing a significant investment in equitable housing.

“The sustained partnership between Habitat for Humanity Portland Region and Bank of America will help us launch a new initiative addressing the barriers to Black homeownership, a community whose homeownership rates continue to lag far behind other racial groups due to systemic racism. Affordable homeownership opportunities are key to building stability, addressing the racial wealth gap, and giving people the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Steve Messinetti, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region.

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon is a designated SBA microlender, an IDA fiduciary, and a Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that works to advance economic, racial and social equity and justice through entrepreneurship by providing the support, guidance, resources and personalized solutions needed to help guide historically underrepresented entrepreneurs and their small businesses to succeed. This new grant funding will support MESO to offer more educational and youth programs in the Portland area, as well as technical assistance and further expansion of their services in Oregon.

“MESO is honored to be recognized as a 2023 Neighborhood Builders awardee by Bank of America. This prestigious grant and leadership training will empower MESO to further our mission to help minority, women, and other historically underrepresented entrepreneurs in Oregon and Southwest Washington launch and grow small businesses, creating lasting economic opportunities for underserved communities in the Portland region. We’re deeply appreciative of the chance to partner with Bank of America and the other Neighborhood Builders awardees to create opportunities in entrepreneurship and affordable housing to build vibrant neighborhoods where all thrive and prosper.” - Cobi Lewis, CEO, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon

The Neighborhood Builders program is invitation-only and highly competitive. Nonprofits are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Builders awardees. Thirty-one nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Portland since 2004, with the bank investing $6.2 million into these local nonprofits.

Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $300 million in nearly 100 communities across the U.S., partnered with more than 1,600 nonprofits, and helped more than 3,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills through the Neighborhood Builders and Neighborhood Champion programs.

To learn more about the partnership, click here.

Bank of America is your pass to arts and culture! The first full weekend of every month, present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit cards at Portland Art Museum, the Japanese Garden, OMSI, or over 150 museums across the country to receive complimentary general admission. Learn more at museums.bankofamerica.com.