The Neighborhood Builders® 2026 Program by Bank of America is one of the most established nonprofit capacity-building initiatives in the United States. It is designed to strengthen community impact organizations through a combination of multi-year leadership development, structured mentoring, and substantial financial grants.
This program does not only provide funding; it invests deeply in leadership growth by pairing nonprofit executives and emerging leaders with a structured two-year development journey. The goal is to improve long-term sustainability, scalability, and community impact of nonprofit organizations working in critical social and economic areas.
What is the Neighborhood Builders® Program?
The Neighborhood Builders® initiative is a two-year leadership development and grant program that supports nonprofit organizations working to address pressing community needs such as housing stability and economic opportunity.
Selected organizations receive:
- Multi-year leadership training for executive leaders and emerging leaders
- Access to a national network of nonprofit peers and mentors
- Significant grant funding to expand organizational capacity
- Opportunities to share learnings and scale impact in their communities
Participants are expected to actively engage in leadership development activities and contribute knowledge back to their communities.
Funding Details and Financial Support
The program offers a highly competitive funding structure designed to ensure sustainability and responsible scaling.
Grant Amount
- Minimum and maximum range: $100,000 to $400,000
- Paid over a two-year period
- Grant size cannot exceed 10% of the organization’s most recent annual revenue
Example
- If a nonprofit has $1 million annual revenue, it may receive approximately $100,000 over two years
This ensures that funding aligns with the organization’s financial capacity and encourages responsible growth.
Program Benefits
Selected Neighborhood Builders® organizations receive more than funding. The program offers a holistic development experience:
1. Leadership Development
- Two-year structured leadership training program
- Participation required for:
- Executive Director / CEO / President
- Emerging leader within the organization
2. Mentorship and Networking
- Access to national nonprofit leaders
- Peer-to-peer learning opportunities
- Dual mentorship model (giving and receiving mentorship)
3. Organizational Capacity Building
- Strategic planning support
- Sustainability and growth planning
- Leadership strengthening at multiple levels
4. Financial Investment
- Flexible grant funding to strengthen programs, systems, and services
- Support for scaling nonprofit impact
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 2026 Neighborhood Builders® Program, organizations must meet strict criteria to ensure readiness and impact potential.
Organizational Requirements
- Must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (IRS-recognized)
- Must have filed taxes for the last two fiscal years
- Must demonstrate financial stability
- Must have a minimum 3-year strategic plan
- Must operate in eligible service markets
Leadership Requirements
- Executive Director / CEO / President must have been in role for at least 2 years
- Emerging leader must also have been in the organization for at least 2 years
- Both leaders must commit to a two-year leadership development program
Participation Requirements
- Must fully participate in leadership training activities
- Must agree to share learnings within the organization and community
- Must participate in mentorship activities on both sides
Funding History Restrictions
- Organizations must NOT have received:
- Neighborhood Builders® grant funding, or
- Bank of America Champions program funding
on or after October 2019
Funding Priority Areas (2026 Focus)
The program prioritizes nonprofits working in the following impact areas:
1. Stable Housing
- Affordable housing development
- Housing preservation initiatives
- Long-term rental stability
- Homeownership opportunities
2. Income Creation
- Workforce development programs
- Entrepreneurship support
- Financial literacy and resilience initiatives
These focus areas reflect a broader commitment to addressing systemic economic inequality and strengthening community foundations.
How the Program Works
- Nonprofit submits application through official channels
- Selection based on organizational strength, leadership capacity, and community impact
- Two-year leadership development program begins
- Grant funding is disbursed over the program duration
- Organization participates in mentoring, training, and peer exchange
- Leaders implement improved strategies and scale community impact
Expected Impact of the Program
Neighborhood Builders® is designed to create long-term transformation by:
- Strengthening nonprofit leadership capacity
- Increasing sustainability of community organizations
- Expanding access to housing and economic opportunity
- Building stronger local ecosystems of nonprofit collaboration
Organizations are expected to emerge from the program more resilient, better structured, and more impactful in their mission delivery.
Conclusion
The Neighborhood Builders® 2026 Program represents a major opportunity for nonprofit organizations seeking both funding and deep organizational development. By combining substantial financial support with structured leadership training, Bank of America continues to invest in long-term community transformation across the United States.
Learn More
- For more information about this opportunity, Click here
- More global Grant opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here
