02/13/2024

Citizens is Now Accepting Champions in Action Applications for Nonprofits Providing Digital Upskilling

Seven selected organizations will receive $50,000 and promotional and volunteer support

Providence, RI (Feb. 12, 2024) – Citizens Bank has announced the 2024 Champions in Action area of focus: Digital Upskilling. Nonprofit organizations or partnerships that are providing training and resources to prepare students and workers for in-demand digital and technology jobs are encouraged to apply.

“Citizens is committed to building the workforce of the future and we understand that meeting the accelerating needs of the economy is a pivotal part of that effort,” said Michelle Hecht, Head of Corporate Affairs at Citizens. “In this Champions in Action round, we’re looking forward to shining a light on the valuable nonprofits who are doing critical work to expand access to trainings and resources that help ensure that the workforce is keeping up with advances in technology and prepared to meet current and future industry needs.”

The selected Champion in Action will receive:

  • A $50,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens.
  • Media coverage and public service announcements.
  • Volunteer support from Citizens colleagues.
  • Promotional and public relations support.

To be eligible for consideration, an organization must:

  • Be a nonprofit organization based in Eastern or Western Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York City or Rhode Island.
  • Have a total operating budget between $250,000 and $5 million.
  • Have existing successful programs that are keeping community members updated with the latest advancements in technology.

Applications can be completed online at www.citizensbank.com/champions and must be submitted by February 23, 2024.

Citizens’ Champions in Action program celebrates and supports local nonprofits with operating budgets under $5 million who are creating meaningful and measurable impact in the communities they serve. Twice a year, nonprofits in seven Citizens’ markets are selected to receive funding, promotional and volunteer support to advance programming and services focused on a relevant topic that changes bi-annually.

Since the program’s launch 21 years ago, Citizens has awarded more than $11 million in unrestricted grants and promotional and volunteer support to more than 380 Champions in Action nonprofit winners across the bank’s footprint. The initiative is part of Citizen’s broader efforts to help the communities it serves thrive through its strategic community investments and colleague volunteerism. In 2023, more than 8,800 Citizens colleagues contributed more than 232,000 volunteer hours to support more than 3,300 community organizations.

For information on the Champions in Action program and Citizens’ Sustainability and Impact efforts, click here.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $222.0 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,200 ATMs and approximately 1,100 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn or Facebook