Bank of the West Honored Ashoka and Community Resources Housing Development Corporation at the Seventh Annual Philanthropy Awards

Nonprofit organizations are recognized in two categories — Innovation and Community Impact — and awardees are chosen by a jury comprised of Bank of the West committee members along with external foundation and nonprofit leaders.

"The Philanthropy Awards program is just one of the ways we support our vibrant nonprofit sector and provide a venue where thought-leaders from corporate, community and nonprofit organizations can share industry trends and best practices," said Pierre Ramadier, senior executive vice president and head of the Wealth Management Group at Bank of the West. "We come together to celebrate extraordinary nonprofits as well as inspire others to integrate philanthropy into their personal and professional lives."

Global nonprofit Ashoka was the winner in the Innovation Award category for its pioneering network of social entrepreneurs in the fields of poverty alleviation, education, environmental stewardship, economic development and other areas of human need. Ashoka continually expands its network and practice by annually identifying and investing in "change-makers" who become Ashoka Fellows. For 35 years, Ashoka has identified and supported more than 3,000 Fellows in 70 countries, including more than 200 in the United States, by providing living stipends and the means to help them grow their ideas.

Colorado-based Community Resources and Housing and Development (CRHDC) was the winner in the Community Impact category. The nonprofit was founded in 1971 to address the lack of adequate housing for migrant farmworkers in rural Colorado.  Since then, CRHDC has expanded its mission to address urban and rural needs state-wide and has built more than 2,100 homes and provided technical assistance toward the development of 500 units of farm worker housing. The nonprofit educates more than 800 individuals annually toward the goal of sustainable homeownership and financial capability.

To learn more about the award recipients, view the videos of CRHDC and Ashoka, and join the discussion on Twitter with @BankoftheWest #PhilanthropyAwards.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the program included a panel discussion on strategic philanthropy and how nonprofits are applying for-profit business models to their practice. Guest speakers attending the event were:

• The Honorable Aída Álvarez, Board Chair of the Latino Community Foundation and former head of the Small Business Administration under President Bill Clinton; and
• Andy Rappaport, co-founder of the San Francisco-based Rappaport Family Foundation and the Minnesota Street project, which offers affordable and economically sustainable spaces for art galleries, artists and related nonprofits.

About the Bank of the West Philanthropy Awards
Since 2010 the Bank of the West Philanthropy Awards have recognized outstanding examples of organizations and individuals who are making a difference in their communities. The Philanthropy Awards program represents one component of the Bank's dedication to engaging its financial and human resources to improve its communities. In the last five years, the Bank has provided $28 million in philanthropic contributions. In 2015, Bank of the West supported more than 600 nonprofit organizations within its footprint. 

About Bank of the West Wealth Management
Bank of the West Wealth Management provides wealth planning, investment management*, personal banking, philanthropy, and trust and fiduciary services. The group is part of BNP Paribas' global wealth management business of more than 6,600 professionals present in three hubs in Europe, Asia and the US with more than $11.4 billion** in assets under management in the United States and €341 billion ($383 billion) in assets under management globally as of September 30, 2016.

About Bank of the West
Bank of the West is a regional financial services company headquartered in San Francisco with $82.6 billion in assets as of September 30, 2016. Founded in 1874, Bank of the West provides a wide range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services through more than 600 branches and offices in 23 states and digital channels. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, which has a presence in 75 countries with more than 189,000 employees. To learn more about Bank of the West, visit About Us.

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SOURCE Bank of the West

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