Applications open for Massachusetts Champions in Action program

Citizens Bank and necn are now accepting applications for the second Champion in Action of 2019, this time in the Veterans & Military Families category. The Champions in Action® program provides financial, volunteer and public relations support to local nonprofits.

Nonprofit organizations or partnerships delivering programming supporting veterans and/or military families are invited to apply for the Champions award to be announced in July 2019. Community-based Veterans & Military Families programming meets the unique needs of veterans, active/reserve military members and their families. Support may include but is not limited to the areas of employment, education and training, housing, financial literacy, and other social services. Applications can be completed online at http://www.citizensbank.com/community/champions and must be submitted by February 22, 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 Massachusetts.

The selected Champion in Action will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;
• Media coverage from necn, including features and public service announcements;
• Volunteer support from Citizens’ colleagues;
• Complimentary membership to the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network;
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action in Citizens Bank branches;
• Exposure on the Citizens Bank and necn websites.

To be eligible for consideration, an organization must:

• Be a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization that serves Massachusetts 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.