Banks are a part of our lives, and Bank of America is committed to community investment through philanthropic partnerships.
Since 2017, BOA has awarded more than $1.7 million to the Atlanta-based Grove Park Foundation. The non-profit’s approach is “to help families build better lives, and to help children reach their highest potential through community revitalization incorporating mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education and community wellness,” according to their website.
This year the bank has lent Chandra Haslem, a senior bank executive, to serve as the foundation’s COO through its professional development Leader on Loan program. While the GPF receives her operational expertise, Haslem will gain a larger insight into running a working community organization.
Haslem’s salary and benefits are covered by Bank of America as she serves the 12-month contract to help lead valuable and measurable change within the organization.
“I’ve been quite excited thus far about the work that Grove Park Foundation has been able to do. I’ve been given this distinct honor especially as being a native of Atlanta,” she said. “I am able to align professionally what I do day-to-day in and beyond BOA out into the community, particularly in an area in which I grew up close and nearby to.”
Haslem’s framework for the foundation has been designed and implemented for quality, consistency and sustainable change.
“My role translates into looking at what operational efficiencies could be implemented and making sure we have the financial infrastructure in place. ... For example, how can we go about drawing up a road map that fits the financial endeavors along with operationally what we are wanting to cover and execute in 2021 and beyond, particularly relating it to affordable housing and economic mobility,” she said.
The foundation’s recently launched initiative, Neighborhood Opportunities for Wealth, has held Haslem’s main focus as the COO takes on the program’s performance and meeting the needs of the residents of where they are and where they want to be.
For the Grove Park Foundation, the bank’s mission is an “in-person reality” and Haslem hopes that it can be a blueprint for other nonprofits, not just in Atlanta but globally.
“As GPF is growing the breadth of our programs and services for the residents of the Grove Park community, Chandra has helped us develop tracking systems and metrics to measure program funding and impacts, streamlined our invoicing and accounts payable and thoughtfully managed our technology, among many other responsibilities. She has come with an open heart and passion for the work, and been a welcome member of the Grove Park team,” wrote Executive Director Debra A. Edelson. “We are deeply grateful to Bank of America for this invaluable gift of talent.”
Each Sunday we write about a deserving person or charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To submit a story for us to cover, send to ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
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