Citizens Bank & NECN Now Accepting Applications for Champions in Action Program

Citizens Bank and necn now accepting applications for Champions in Action program

Nonprofit will receive $35,000 and media exposure in 2017

BOSTON- Citizens Bank and necn are now accepting applications for the first 2017 Champions in Action in the Addiction Prevention & Treatment Services category. The Champions in Action^® program provides financial, volunteer and public relations support to local nonprofits.

Nonprofit organizations focused on addiction prevention and treatment services are invited to apply for the Champions award to be announced in January 2017. Applications can be completed online at www.citizensbank.com/community/champions and must be submitted by Friday, July 29 at 5pm.

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 public service announcements and television profiles over the course of six months;
• Volunteer support from Citizens’ and necn’s colleagues;
• The opportunity for the organization’s executive director to participate in a “Executive-to- Executive” mentorship with a Citizens Bank executive;
• Extensive public relations support;
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action on all Citizens Bank branch DCN screens and on its ATMs;
• Exposure on both Citizens Bank and necn’s websites.

Champions in Action in the Addiction Services category targets non-profit organizations or partnerships working to provide addiction prevention and treatment services addressing substance abuse, treatment, education and prevention. The Champions in Action award will be presented to an addiction prevention and treatment program or partnership with a demonstrated history of success and measurement. The nonprofit should apply for the award and include success/metrics around the success of the program individually or if through collaboration with another partner(s), the lead non-profit should apply.

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 program addressing five key areas: hunger, housing, economic development, financial education and volunteerism. Get more information about Citizens Bank’s community initiatives online.

See below for more information:

·         Apply now for @CitizensBank's #ChampionsinAction! Your NPO could receive financial/volunteer/PR support—here's how: http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Does your NPO focus on addiction prevention? Apply by July 29 for @CitizensBank's 2017 #ChampionsinAction program! http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Citizens Banks is offering financial/PR support for nonprofits through the #ChampionsinAction program. Apply at http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Local nonprofits: Apply for @CitizensBank's #ChampionsinAction now through July 29th at http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Your nonprofit could be awarded financial & PR support—apply for #ChampionsinAction by July 29 to be considered! http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

Applications can be completed online at www.citizensbank.com/community/champions and must be submitted by Friday, July 29 at 5pm.