Citizens and NBC10 Accepting Applications for Champions in Action Program
Urban Farming Institute, Massachusetts
Selected nonprofit will receive $35,000 in unrestricted funding and public visibility in 2023
RHODE ISLAND (August 1, 2022) – Citizens and NBC10 are now accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations for the Champions in Action program in the category of Supporting Environmental Sustainability.
Citizens will support nonprofits focused on environmental initiatives and is looking for organizations to use the Champions in Action grant to improve or implement sustainable practices or programs. However, the mission of the organization does not need to be focused on environmental sustainability. To be eligible, organizations must have assessed their own impact on the environment and be committed to taking meaningful action to address this important work.
Examples of eligible practices or programs include but are not limited to; installation of solar panels on the organization’s buildings, planting a community garden, or working toward an environmental certification.
“Citizens is committed to helping create a healthy and sustainable future for all our stakeholders and communities,” said Barbara Cottam, EVP Head of Corporate Affairs and Corporate Responsibility at Citizens. “As part of that commitment, we are excited to recognize nonprofit organizations that are pursuing initiatives to improve their own sustainability and contribute toward a greener future.”
Foster Forward, Rhode Island
Organizations applying for the award should include metrics around the achievements of their program individually, or if through collaboration with another partner(s), the lead nonprofit should apply.
Applications can be completed online at
www.citizensbank.com/champions
and must be submitted by August 19, 2022.
Areas of focus for the Champions in Action program change twice yearly. The award recipients in the category of Supporting Environmental Sustainability will be announced in early 2023. The selected Champion in Action will receive:
A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens.
Media coverage and public service announcements from NBC 10.
Volunteer support from Citizens colleagues.
Public relations and promotional support.
To be eligible for consideration, an organization must:
Be a Rhode Island-based nonprofit organization that addresses the designated topic area.
Provide verification of tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Have a total operating budget of $5 million or less.
The Champions in Action program, now in its 20th year, has awarded more than $10 million in contributions and promotional support to 367 nonprofits across the bank’s footprint. In Rhode Island, 59 nonprofits have been honored, receiving more than $1.6 million.
For more information about the program, visit