Bank of America Names Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and Hopeworks its 2025 Neighborhood Builders

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Bank of America has named Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia (HFHP) and Hopeworks as its 2025 Neighborhood Builders® for their work building career pathways for young adults and preserving affordable homeownership opportunities. Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development, while providing unique multiyear flexible funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in communities nationwide.

Specifically, both Greater Philadelphia nonprofits are each awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for the organization’s executive director and an emerging leader, and access to a national network of nonprofit peers. Since the program’s inception, 37 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Greater Philadelphia with the bank investing nearly $7.5 million in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits.

“Our local nonprofits in Southern New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia are crucial to addressing local challenges in our region,” said Jim Dever, president, Bank of America Greater Philadelphia. “Through flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training, the Neighborhood Builders program helps nonprofits address critical needs and promote economic opportunity for the individuals and families in our communities.”

Bank of America Greater Philadelphia President Jim Dever, Habitat Philadelphia CEO Corinne O’Connell, Bank of America Market Executive Deborah O’Brien and Merrill Wealth Management Managing Director and Habitat Philadelphia Board Member Benjamin Johnson at 2025 Neighborhood Builder Event | photo by Bank of America

Habitat for Humanity is a long-standing partner of Bank of America in Philadelphia, transforming lives and the city by building and repairing homes in partnership with families in need, uniting all Philadelphians around the cause of affordable housing. This new grant funding will help HFHP perform critical home repairs for 50 low-income homeowners in the Grays Ferry neighborhood.

“We’re thrilled to have Bank of America’s continued support of our work in Philadelphia,” said Corinne O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer at Habitat Philadelphia. “Their partnership has already helped hundreds of families achieve safety and stability through affordable homeownership. The Neighborhood Builder grant will help us provide support to 50 Grays Ferry residents, which will allow them to safely remain in their homes.”

Hopeworks propels young adults into long-term living wage careers that put them on the path for healing and financial stability in Philadelphia and Camden. The bank’s funding will support Hopeworks’ expansion in Kensington, including hiring new coaches and staff to address a more than 300-person waitlist, and internal capacity building technology upgrades to improve real-time data tracking and service coordination across both sites.

“We are grateful for this transformational investment in Hopeworks and the young adults we serve,” said Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks. “Bank of America’s belief in our mission fuels economic mobility and helps us create lasting opportunity in Philadelphia and Camden. With the support from the Neighborhood Builder grant, we will be able to foster a stronger future for our community and invest in our leadership team.”

Neighborhood Builders is part of the bank’s longstanding efforts to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic opportunity. Since 2004, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program has invested more than $346 million in communities across the U.S. and trained more than 4,000 leaders at nearly 2,000 U.S. nonprofits.