The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has announced that 4KIDS of South Florida, Inc. is the recipient of the distinguished Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI) Neighborhood Builder award in the amount of $200,000. Each year Bank of America recognizes local nonprofit organizations that meet the most pressing community needs and contribute significantly to the health, vitality, and vibrancy of their neighborhoods.

“We are at a crucial time in our country’s history where needs are growing and resources are dwindling, and the children in our community lie in the balance. Bank of America has invested in our community at precisely the right moment, when kids in foster care need it the most. At 4KIDS we are grateful for that partnership because we can meet more needs than ever before,” said Doug Sauder, President of 4KIDS of South Florida.

Through unique partnerships with businesses, individuals, foundations, and the faith community, 4KIDS has offered care and support for 8,000 foster children, one child at a time. The $200,000 unrestricted grant funds will be used to attract and train foster parents, increase capacity, and teach life skills to children forced to leave the foster care system due to age. The funds will also be used to pursue the vision of “A Home for Every Child in Crisis” as 10,000 children in South Florida enter the foster care system during the next three years.

Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has committed more than $2.2 million in Broward County through the NEI program since its inception in 2004. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit the website.