People’s Self-Help Housing secures $50K Bank of America grant
People’s Self-Help Housing, the longest-serving affordable housing nonprofit on the Central Coast, has received a $50,000 grant from Bank of America to scale its programs.
The grant, announced by People’s Self-Help on Dec. 1, is part of Bank of America’s 2021 Neighborhood Champion program. Women’s Economic Ventures, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit, received one of the $50,000 grants in November.
Bank of America said People’s Self-Help was chosen because of its work in the San Luis Obispo community. As part of the program, People’s Self-Help will get access to virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like storytelling, human capital management and increasing financial sustainability.
The organization is at a “critical inflection point” as it prepares to launch its Community Independence Initiative, a program designed to support economic mobility for low-income families by providing workforce development and financial education. Funds from the Neighborhood Champion grant will be used as stipends for people participating in that program, and seed money for the micro-enterprise development portion of the program.
The grant money will also be used to support and expand other initiatives, such as a program that helps college-bound students prepare for higher education.
“We could not be more honored to receive this accolade, joining other area distinguished alumni in serving our community,” People’s Self-Help CEO Ken Trigueiro in a news release announcing the grant. “Home is where it all begins and having this astonishing award ensures that many of those who call People’s Self-Help Housing home, will have the vital support they need to grow their careers, their education, and their dreams.”
People’s Self-Help is based in San Luis Obispo and provides affordable housing to 5,500 Central Coast residents.
Through the Neighborhood Champions program, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million since 2019 into nearly 130 nonprofits across more than 40 communities.
