The Edward & Ellen Roche Relief Foundation, managed by the Bank of America Private Bank’s Philanthropic Solutions division, was founded in 1953 with a mission to support disadvantaged women and children. The foundation specifically prioritizes nonprofit organizations that work to enhance the well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income women and their families. Among the various services that align with this mission, programs that offer job training and job placement for unemployed or underemployed women are given the highest funding priority.
The foundation restricts its grantmaking to organizations serving New York City, reflecting a commitment to impact within this geographically limited area. Grants are awarded on an annual basis, with decisions made by October 31 each year. The application process is conducted entirely online through Bank of America’s grantmaking portal, and applicants must submit their proposals by 11:59 p.m. on June 30. Should the deadline fall on a weekend or a federal holiday, proposals must be submitted by the preceding business day.
Grants typically range from $15,000 to $25,000, and both general operating support and program-specific funding requests are encouraged. However, requests for capital projects, endowment campaigns, or scholarly research are generally not considered. Each foundation under Bank of America's management has unique funding parameters, and applicants are strongly encouraged to review the foundation detail pages and FAQ resources on the official website to ensure alignment before applying.
Eligibility is limited to public charities that have received IRS determination of nonprofit status. Start-up nonprofits or those using fiscal agents are generally not eligible for funding. All applications are reviewed for completeness and alignment by a Philanthropic Client Manager and may include site visits or requests for additional documentation. Final decisions are made following a collaborative review process by foundation officers and advisory committees.
A final report on the use of the grant is due within one year of receiving funds. Multi-year recipients must submit annual reports. For questions regarding the application process or to request technical support, applicants can contact Christine O’Donnell, SVP and Philanthropic Client Manager, by phone at 646.855.1011 or via email at christine.l.odonnell@bofa.com. For general inquiries or assistance with submitting the online application, the email address ny.grantmaking@bofa.com should be used with the foundation’s name indicated in the subject line.
