Safelight receives $50K grant from Bank of America

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Bank of America has named Safelight as its Asheville 2025 Neighborhood Builder in recognition of the nonprofit’s work supporting survivors of interpersonal violence, abuse and exploitation in Henderson County.

Since 1984, Safelight has provided services to more than 46,000 individuals, offering resources and support to help survivors rebuild their lives.

The organization was honored Nov. 13 during the Bank of America Philanthropy Forum at Blue Ridge Community College. The event highlighted giving trends shaping the nonprofit sector and recognized local organizations involved in recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene.

As part of the Neighborhood Builders program, Safelight will receive a $50,000 grant over two years, along with leadership training for its executive director and an emerging leader. The organization will also have access to a peer network of nonprofits.

“Safelight stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for survivors navigating trauma and rebuilding their lives, especially as Western North Carolina continues its recovery from Hurricane Helene,” said David Dowd, president of Bank of America Asheville.

Neighborhood Builders is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic programs supporting nonprofit leadership development. Since the program began, seven nonprofits in Western North Carolina have been selected, with Bank of America investing more than $350,000 locally. Nationwide, the program has invested over $346 million and trained more than 4,000 leaders at nearly 2,000 nonprofits.

Safelight offers a range of services, including mental health, medical, legal, housing and employment support. It also operates the Dandelion Café, which provides job training and financial stability for participants, and the Safelight Resale Store, which sells donated items to fund survivor services.

The Neighborhood Builder funding will allow Safelight to expand programs, add a new product line at the café, and offer more job training in marketing and product development.

“Thank you, Bank of America, for this great honor,” Safelight CEO Lauren Wilkie said in a statement. “Safelight is unique in that we offer polyvictimization programming for survivors of any violence, abuse or exploitation. By partnering with us, the community helps save lives in Henderson County.”