Bank of America makes first contribution towards Urban League of Broward County’s Mary Porter Grant Goal

Bank of America makes first contribution towards Urban League of Broward County’s Mary Porter Grant Goal

(L-r): Linda Carter, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward; Lori Chevy, Broward County market president for Bank of America; Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County; and Frederick Perry, senior vice president with Bank of America/US Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management and chairman of  the Urban League of Broward County’s Board of Directors.

From Bonnie Strouse Sobrino

    FORT LAUDERDALE — Bank of America, a longtime supporter of the Urban League of Broward County, was the first company to award the Urban League with matching funds towards the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund. The leadership gift of $100,000 was presented at the Urban League’s 2013 signature Red Gala and will be matched dollar for dollar for their capital project.

“As one of our community’s leading organizations whose work improves the lives of individuals and families in so many different ways, supporting the Urban League’s empowerment campaign was a natural opportunity in our continued partnership,” said Lori Chevy, Broward County Market President for Bank of America.  “The fact the gift is being matched by the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund grant is a bonus, essentially doubling the impact of our contribution.”

In June of 2013, the Board of the Community Foundation approved a $500,000 grant to the Urban League of Broward County to create a high-tech learning hub. The Urban League was one of three, out of 26 applicants, selected as a recipient of the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund, which was designed to improve the quality of services in Broward by supporting capital projects including new construction, renovations and other major capital initiatives.

“Mary Porter trusted the Community Foundation to ensure her philanthropy supported effective and important projects that encouraged others to also give back. The Foundation’s support of this Urban League of Broward County project does just that,” said Linda Carter, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward, who also attended the gala.

The donation will assist with the Urban League’s efforts to expand its programs and services using innovation and technology. The Sunshine Health Community Empowerment Center is a 28,000 square-foot facility with state-of-the-art digital classrooms, a 4,000 square-foot multipurpose room and many other amenities. The Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund allows the Urban League to turn on the technology switch in a community faced with digital disparities.

“On behalf of the Urban League and the children and families we serve, I would like to thank both the Community Foundation of Broward County and Bank of America for this extraordinary opportunity enabling us to continue to be an innovative solution for the economic and social development of our community,” said Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, President and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County.