Applications for a 2021 Champions in Action award are being accepted by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares until Aug. 21.

The program is seeking nonprofit applicants for work done related to covid-19 relief.

“Applications will be accepted … from nonprofit organizations focused on solving post-pandemic social needs through the delivery of community-based programming,” Citizens Bank said in a statement. “The Champions in Action award will be presented to a nonprofit organization that is working in collaboration with one or more other organizations to address immediate community needs as the ongoing recovery process throughout our nation and footprint continues.”

Winners will be announced in January. The Champion in Action will receive $35,000 in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank, media coverage from Trib Total Media, volunteer support from Citizens Bank colleagues and Pittsburgh Cares, promotional support in Citizens Bank branches and exposure on the Citizens Bank and Trib Total Media websites.

The Champions in Action program is part of the Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities effort that provides financial, volunteer and public relations support to nonprofit organizations to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in Western Pennsylvania communities.

Nonprofits are encouraged to include specific and measurable program goals in the online application.

In February, applications will be accepted for another round of Champions in Action awards for work related to social equity, targeting “nonprofit organizations, partnerships or programs that are focused on prioritizing equity and inclusion within our communities through education, advocacy and relevant programming.”

Organizations must be a Western Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization addressing the designated social concern, provide verification of tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and have an operating budget of $5 million or less to be eligible for consideration.

Since 2002, the Champions in Action program has awarded more than $9 million to more than 300 recipients across Citizen Bank’s business footprint.

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