TD Awards $2.8M to Organizations Addressing the Impacts of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Communities

TD announced that six U.S. recipients will receive 2020 TD Ready Challenge grant awards totaling $2.8 million to address the widespread impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recipients are located across TD Bank's Maine-to-Florida footprint.

"The COVID-19 pandemic created a health care crisis that exposed social, economic and racial inequities, and we know it continues to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations across the U.S.," said Greg Braca, president and CEO, TD Bank. "This year, we focused the TD Ready Challenge competition on organizations that provide innovative solutions to the communities where we live and work."

The 2020 TD Ready Challenge sought organizations that are developing innovative solutions for addressing inequities exacerbated by the pandemic in communities that were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Organizations were asked to demonstrate how their solutions will drive faster, sustained and equitable recovery through one or more of the four interconnected drivers of change of the TD Ready Commitment, TD's corporate citizenship platform, aimed at opening doors to a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.

TD established the TD Ready Challenge in 2018 to identify and support scalable solutions to a specific issue identified within the drivers of the TD Ready Commitment: Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. This year it is part of the roughly $20 million that TD has allocated to help strengthen community resilience and COVID-19 recovery through the TD Community Resilience Initiative

"It’s clear that generating new ideas and solutions is key to helping all of our communities emerge resilient, inclusive, vibrant and ready for the continually changing future," said Shelley Sylva, Head of U.S. Social Impact, TD Bank. "I can't wait to see the lives changed and opportunities created through the efforts of these winning organizations."

Over 1,300 applications were received this year and evaluated through a comprehensive review process that culminated in a final judging contest comprised of a panel of 18 bank and subject matter experts. A total of 15 North American recipients received awards ranging from $269,500-$770,000.

The U.S. recipients of the 2020 TD Ready Challenge are:

• Urban League of Broward County, Inc.
• Per Scholas, Inc.
• Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations
• Clinica Esperanza Hope Clinic
• Port Discovery Children's Museum
• Penquis, the Rural Maine Financial Coaching Collaborative

The TD Ready Challenge is part of TD's efforts to help build more resilient societies. For more information about the 2020 TD Ready Challenge and winners, visit http://www.td.com/readychallenge. For additional information about the TD Ready Commitment, please visit td.com/tdreadycommitment.

Editor's Note: This press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO and its staff.