Charter One is giving $110,000 to six nonprofits organizations in Ohio to help educate consumers about personal finance.
The awards are part of the bank's "Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money" effort. In all, the bank is donating $1.5 million to organizations in 11 states. The program is trying to address hunger, housing, economic development, financial education and volunteerism.
The local organizations getting money are:
- Neighborhood Development Services
- Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland
- JumpStart Inc.
- Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
- Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
- East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp.
There were more than 150 applicants for the money. Recipients were chosen based in part on their record of promoting financial literacy and need for funds.
"Charter One has continuously supported nonprofit organizations in our communities and financial literacy is one of the most important initiatives," Joseph DiRocco, president of Charter One and RBS Citizens for Ohio, said in a statement.
The bank also has launched an online financial literacy resource center to help encourage healthy finances.
In 2013, the program helped more than 100,000 people with personal finance and provided grants to more than 120 nonprofit organizations.
For more information on the Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money, go to www.citizensbank.com/community.