Citizens Bank Foundation donates $250K in grants

The Citizens Bank Foundation participated in the first-ever “Giving Tuesday” by announcing it will award more than $250,000 in grants to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations.

Styled after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, “Giving Tuesday” is a campaign that includes more than 1,400 organizations to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.

The Citizens Bank Foundation grants announced last week follow the bank’s donation last week of 100,000 meals to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

As part of its “Giving Tuesday” grants, the Citizens Bank Foundation awarded $25,000 to The Partnership, a group dedicated to developing professionals of color and increasing their representation in Boston area businesses and institutions.

The Partnership is celebrating its 25th year of operating with the region’s 50 leading organizations committed to attracting, retaining, and advancing top professionals of color. Each year, the Partnership offers the Next Generation Executive Program, Fellows Program and Associates Program.

Another recipient is The Boston Main Streets Foundation. The long-standing city program received $50,000, which will help enable Main Streets organizations to operate in Boston’s small commercial districts.

The BMS Foundation funding allows the Main Streets organizations to provide much-needed economic development activities in commercial districts. These activities include physical improvements, design services, and technical assistance.

The grants announced today will be distributed as follows:

•  $30,000 to the Paul Revere Memorial Association

•  $20,000 to Boston Children’s Chorus

•  $20,000 to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries

• $20,000 to Neighborhood Housing Services of the South Shore

•  $15,000 to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center

•  $15,000 to the Boston Foundation

• $10,000 to the Appalachian Mountain Club

• $10,000 to the Community Resources for Justice

•  $10,000 to the Ellis Memorial & Eldredge House

• $10,000 to MASSCAP

• $10,000 to Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps

• $10,000 to Somerville Community Corporation

“During the busy holiday season, Citizens Bank recognizes the importance of giving back in any form that individuals and companies are able, from volunteering at a local soup kitchen to donating a warm coat to providing financial support to outstanding nonprofit organizations,” said Jerry Sargent, president of Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, Massachusetts. “In the spirit of ‘Giving Tuesday,’ Citizens Bank celebrates Massachusetts organizations working to meet the needs of our communities.”