BofA's $200,000 grants assist local organizations

William Byrd Community House and Communities in Schools Richmond each will receive a $200,000 unrestricted grant and leadership training from Bank of America as part of the bank's Neighborhood Excellence Initiative.

The Richmond organizations were chosen for the Neighborhood Builders program, which works with 92 high-impact nonprofits across 44 U.S. cities and London.

William Byrd Community House works with families below the poverty level to build self-sufficiency through family support and emergency services, children's services, youth and young adult services and the Grace Arents Library and Education Center.

Communities in Schools Richmond connects needed community resources with more than 12,000 low- and middle-income students in Richmond Public Schools.

Bank of America is investing $20 million in the program this year, bringing the total commitment to $150 million since the program's inception in 2004. The bank has invested $2.25 million in Richmond since the program began.

Bank of America is also recognizing five Local Heroes selected for their commitment to the highest standards in community service. Each Local Hero can choose a nonprofit charity to receive a $5,000 donation.

Local Heroes and their organizations are Peter Adler of Chester, ElderHomes; Mary Gravely of Montpelier, Hanover Education Foundation, Helping Hands; Jay Michael Ipson of Richmond, Virginia Holocaust Museum; Floyd E. Miller II of Richmond, Special Olympics Virginia; and Margaret Lerke Woody of Richmond, ART 180.

Five local high school students were announced earlier this year for paid internships and leadership training.

Capital One honors four local groups

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, Junior Achievement of Central Virginia, Richmond YWCA and Virginia Supportive Housing will share $600,000 in grants from Capital One in its second round of Investing for Good Awards. Each group receives $100,000 this year and $50,000 next year. Recipients will be honored Monday at a reception at the governor's mansion.

"The four organizations receiving this year's Investing for Good Award are making a significant, positive difference in the lives of thousands of Virginians, and we are proud to partner with Capital One to recognize and celebrate their excellence," first lady Maureen McDonnell said in an announcement. "Together, we will continue to create opportunity and make the Richmond region a better place to live, work and raise a family."

Boys & Girls Clubs will use its grant for a pilot program with Higher Achievement to provide 26,000 additional hours of out-of-school academic support.

Junior Achievement will create a new, permanent Richmond-based financial literacy resource, Finance Park, which can serve an additional 2,500 students over the next two years.

Richmond YWCA will implement a program to increase family stability for 140 people over the next two years. The YWCA will prepare the children for kindergarten and offer counseling for those exposed to violence, while also offering parenting and life-skills opportunities for their parents.

Virginia Supportive Housing will provide permanent housing and intensive support services to 90 of the most vulnerable homeless individuals in metro Richmond and help them move closer to independent living.

In addition to the grants, each recipient organization may select volunteer assistance from Capital One's array of skill-based pro bono services, which include marketing, information technology, human resources, legal services and finance. Capital One's Community Corps Council will also help to align associates' community volunteerism to support these partnerships.

Gerdau event aids heart walk

Gerdau steel-mill employees in Petersburg raised nearly $16,500 for the 2011 Start! Richmond Heart Walk through their annual Gerdau Golf Tournament at Lake Chesdin Golf Club in Chesterfield.

Each year, the mill chooses a different charity to benefit from the tournament.

"The American Heart Association is an organization that has personally affected many of our employees' lives," Greg Bott, vice president and general manager of the Petersburg mill, said in an announcement of the gift, citing efforts ranging "from great educational programs to the funding of life-saving research."

'Louisa Cares' raises more than $20,000

The community event billed as "Louisa Cares ... A Movement for Healing" has raised more than $20,000 for the Louisa Education Foundation and the Louisa Housing Foundation.

"We are delighted with the response from our community," said Lloyd Runnett, event organizer, in an announcement of the results.

Proceeds from the fundraiser Oct. 14 at Louisa County Middle School athletic fields will help Louisa schools and the community recover and rebuild after the Aug. 23 earthquake.

For details, visit www.louisacares.com.