RI Champions in Action calls for Inclusion & Equality applicants

Citizens Bank and NBC 10 are now accepting applications for the first Champions in Action of 2020 The Champions in Action program provides financial, volunteer and public relations support to local nonprofits ready to reach the next level. The focus area for this round will be Inclusion & Equality.

Nonprofit organizations or partnerships delivering Inclusion & Equality programming, defined as defined as ensuring that individuals are able to participate fully in the economic and social life of the society in which they live, addressing the many factors that contribute to discrimination and inequality, and ensuring all perspectives and diverse viewpoints are heard and contribute to innovation and success, are invited to apply for the Champions award to be announced in January 2020. Applications can be completed online at www.citizensbank.com/community/champions-in-action.aspx and must be submitted by August 16, 2019 at 5 p.m. EDT.

Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program designed to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. It provides support for small nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout Rhode Island.

The selected Champion in Action will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;
• Media coverage from NBC 10, including public service announcements and television profiles;
• Volunteer support from Citizens’ colleagues;
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action in Citizens Bank branches;
• Exposure on the Citizens Bank and NBC10 websites.

To be eligible for consideration, an organization must:

• Be a Rhode Island-based nonprofit organization that serves Rhode Island and addresses the designated social concern;
• Provide verification of tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; and
• Have a total operating budget of $5 million or less.

Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities is part of the bank’s broader Citizens Helping Citizens engagement platform through which the bank builds partnerships to develop neighborhoods, transform lives and stimulate economic renewal, with a focus on three key areas: fighting hunger, teaching money management and strengthening communities. Get more information about Citizens Bank’s community initiatives online.