OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
Charles Schwab Bank strives to be a leader in the community. The bank is committed to helping serve the banking and credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income individuals. We deeply believe in strengthening our assessment area (the community in which our Bank Branch is located), which encompasses Washoe and Storey Counties, through targeted loans, grants, and investments that fortify the framework of our communities. more...

1. HOW WE MEET OUR COMMITMENT Charles Schwab Bank has sponsored a range of community development initiatives that support youth, the elderly, and low and moderate income individuals. Through innovation and response, the Bank will continue to meet its commitment in the following ways:

   • Support of nonprofit and public service agencies, including financial grants and other assistance. more...
   • Products and services that demonstrate our commitment to affordable housing. more...
   • Community development lending and investing. more...

2. THE NEWS
   Charles Schwab Bank has been recognized as a community development leader. more...

3. COMMUNITY RESOURCES
   Charles Schwab Bank is pleased to offer this list of community resources for Northern Nevada nonprofits and public agencies that are interested in furthering their work in affordable housing and other community development activities. More. more...

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
Charles Schwab Bank, opened its doors in April 2003 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Since its opening, the Bank has made significant commitments to the Reno-Sparks area, where we are headquartered. Our mission of community development is achieved by supporting worthwhile projects through loans and charitable grants to individuals and institutions, through homeownership loan programs for low and moderate income individuals, and through investments in local institutions that support community development. The geographic area which in which we focus our community development activity is Washoe and Storey Counties, Nevada. This area was chosen using guidelines stated in the federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

What is CRA?
CRA is the acronym for the Community Reinvestment Act, passed in 1977 by Congress. The law is intended to encourage financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low-and moderate income neighborhoods.

1. HOW WE MEET OUR COMMITMENT
   The following is a list of accomplished or ongoing activities that Charles Schwab Bank has undertaken in its role as a leader in community development in the greater Reno-Sparks area.
   1. Community Development Grants and Initiatives:

      Lending a hand to nonprofits. Charles Schwab Bank is actively involved with nonprofits in the greater Reno-Sparks community, including the Community Services Agency and Development Corporation, Reno Area Alliance for the Homeless (RAAH), 10 Year Community Plan Committee to End Homelessness, Nevada Microenterprise Initiative, ReStart, City of Sparks Victorian Square Design & Review Committee, Sparks Chamber of Commerce, Truckee Meadows Growth Task Force and CitiCare. The Charles Schwab Bank Community Development Manager participates as a board or committee member of these organizations, and lends support in other ways to many other groups. Please see "Community Resources" for more organizations we have supported.

      Step 2 Program. Charles Schwab Bank has partnered with Lighthouse of the Sierra, a local nonprofit, to provide checking accounts to people struggling with substance abuse, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence and teen parenting. The Bank offers eligible clients a savings match once they have met certain program requirements, including saving for six months, undergoing a financial literacy program, and making lifestyle changes.

      Senior Checking Accounts. Charles Schwab Bank offers a Senior Checking Account with special benefits and reduced rates to qualified applicants. Additionally, the bank installed on-site ATMs at Prater Way Sierra Crest Senior Apartments in Reno. Charles Schwab Bank also helped to fund a commercial loan for the construction of these apartments. Approximately 75% of seniors nationwide are below the median income level.

      Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity. To complement a donation that the Charles Schwab Foundation made to this branch of Habitat for Humanity, employees from Charles Schwab Bank have volunteered to help build homes on three occasions since the Bank's opening in April 2003.

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      Money Matters. In keeping with its mission to foster financial literacy, the Charles Schwab Foundation underwrote and was instrumental in developing a youth financial literacy program entitled "Money Matters: Make It Count." The program is specifically designed to help teens from disadvantaged circumstances and is delivered through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GC). Charles Schwab Bank is working with B&GC on program delivery strategies; working with the Truckee Meadows Boys & Girls Club to coordinate local training, and underwriting two pilot projects implementing Money Matters on Indian reservations and in the San Francisco Bay area.

      Education Collaborative of Washoe County Inc. Through the Collaborative, Charles Schwab bank has been a Partner-in-Education with Washoe High School since 2003. Schwab Bank provides much needed grant funds in an effort to help lower-income at-risk students obtain their HS Diploma or GED. The bank's partnership includes grants for summer school classes, GED fee assistance for students, and Cyesis Incentive Program to encourage pregnant and teen moms to stay in school. For graduating students that want to continue their education, Schwab Bank provides a number of $500 - $1,000 scholarships for Truckee Meadows Community College or post-secondary schools of the student's choice.

      Don't Borrow Trouble Campaign. Schwab Bank has helped bring this important Campaign to the Northern Nevada Market. Don't Borrow Trouble combines advertising and consumer education to alert families to predatory lending practices, such as exorbitant interest rates, excessive fees, or deceitful lending practices. Homeowners who believe they have been the victims of these practices can call the Don't Borrow Trouble hotline at 800-569-4287

      Federal Home Loan Bank Grants. Charles Schwab Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and through this partnership helps the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco carry out four grants programs that help very low to moderate income families and individuals obtain quality rental housing or become homeowners. These grants include the Affordable Housing Program for renters; the Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) program for renters, buyers and community development projects; the Individual Development and Empowerment Account (IDEA) program for buyers; and the Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) program for buyers.

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      Capacity Building Grant Program Because many community development agencies in Northern Nevada lack sufficient resources to carry out their missions, Charles Schwab Bank is offering competitive grants to help these organizations carry out research and development on new programs. The Grants Program seeks to increase the number and capability of organizations in Washoe and Storey Counties that include community development as part of their mission, and to increase the number and quality of community development projects in the area.

      Eligible Activities: Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to support community development efforts in the following program areas:

      • Organizational Capacity-Building - to assist in the building of internal capacity of community development organizations in financial management, strategic planning, organizational assessment, staff and Board development, and program evaluation;
      • Project Development - to support specific affordable housing and/or community development projects at their early stages. For instance, an organization might request funds to carry out an initial market study, or to hire a development consultant to assist in structuring a potential deal or complete a funding application; and,
      • Public Policy - to support research and education projects in the areas of affordable housing and community development.

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      Application Deadlines: Applications will be accepted twice a year. For more information on the guidelines and application procedures as well as application deadlines, please contact:

      Nancy Brown
      Community Development Manager
      Charles Schwab Bank
      5190 Neil Road, Suite 100
      Reno, NV 89502-6599
      
      775-689-6830 phone
      775-689-4715 fax
      nancy.e.brown@schwabbank.com
      

      Regular Community Development Grant Program. Charles Schwab Bank welcomes grant solicitations from nonprofits and public agencies that operate in Washoe and Storey Counties, Nevada.

      Charles Schwab Bank will consider grant applications from tax exempt organizations with IRS designations of 501(c)(3), and 501(c)(6)*; and governmental, or tribal entities, where the purpose of the grant relates to:

      • Affordable housing,
      • Activities that promote economic development (by providing financing or other assistance to small businesses and small farms within certain size limitations)
      • Community services targeted to low- or moderate-income individuals
      • Activities that revitalize or stabilize low- or moderate-income geographies
      • Capacity Building grants -- eligibility described under Capacity Building Grants Section.

      *Charles Schwab Bank may, in certain circumstances, entertain grant applications from tax exempt organizations with IRS designations other than paragraphs (c)(3) and (c)(6), as long as the organization provides adequate evidence that the purpose to which the grant will be devoted primarily benefits low-to moderate income individuals or low-to moderate geographies within the bank's assessment area. Inquires about this should be directed to the bank's community development manager.

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      Grant proposal checklist

      Please be sure to include with your proposal all of the items in the following checklist:
      
      • A statement describing how the funds requested will serve low- or moderate-income individuals or communities, and what percentage of that population will be served.
      • A description of what your organization does, whom you serve, your history, and major accomplishments. Please provide a detailed description of the program or project for which you are seeking the grant; the amount of funding you are requesting, and the expected outcomes. Include the contact person in your organization, mailing, and telephone information. The entire document should be no longer than five pages.
      • A copy of your organization's current IRS letter or non-profit designation as a governmental or tribal entity and the Federal Tax ID number. Your IRS status must be current and include the Federal Tax ID number. In some instances CSB will entertain proposals from a non profit with an interim IRS designation or with a fiscal agent. In those cases however special conditions must exist and additional qualifying information must be submitted, contact the Community Development Manager prior to submitting a request for additional information.
      • Your organization's current annual operating budget.
      • Your organization's most recent financial statement.
      • A project budget if you are applying for a specific project.
      • A list of your Board of Directors.
      • A list of your major funding sources (other corporations, etc.) and funding level of support from those sources.

      The Bank also provides sponsorships for events, such as fundraising walks and community fairs, or purchases tables at such events. In order to be considered for funding, you must provide us with all the following documents at least 60 days prior to the event:

      1. Event invitation or brochure
      2. Current IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) letter with Federal Tax ID number
      3. Event budget, including a list of other funders
      4. Description of the event indicating in what manner if meets the community development criteria listed under the foregoing grant guidelines.
      
      The bank will entertain grant and sponsorship applications year round.

2. Our Commitment to Affordable Housing:
   

   Charles Schwab Bank is committed to helping residents of our community afford homes of their own. The Bank takes special care to explore feasible possibilities that can lead our customers to homeownership, including carefully evaluating the application of low and moderate income individuals, accepting non-traditional credit histories and providing a limited number of grants for down payment assistance to qualified applicants.

   Commitment to Low and Moderate Income Home Buyers Charles Schwab Bank has initiated and carried out a variety of home ownership programs that are targeted to people who make 80% or less of the area median income. Specialized programs are available to residents of Washoe and Storey Counties, NV to help with down payment assistance or closing costs. Through a partnership with the Community Services Agency of Nevada, Charles Schwab Bank helps low-income residents in the Reno area purchase homes of their own by providing grant funds for down payment assistance to a limited number of qualified applicants.

   Home Buyer Fair With the support of HUD, Reno Housing Authority, Consumer Credit Affiliates, and the offices of both U.S. senators and Reno's U.S. Congressman, Charles Schwab Bank led a Home Buyer Fair in May 2004, the goal of which was to convey to participants the "Five Keys of Home Ownership," which include credit-readiness, determining an affordable price, finding a property, securing financing, and overcoming barriers. The Fair helped to establish Charles Schwab Bank as a lender of choice for home loans to low and moderate income families and individuals.

   Hillboro Place. In collaboration with several local partners, and with support from Senator Harry Reid, Charles Schwab Bank helped make home ownership possible for nine families in Reno while supporting the revitalization of a formerly crime-ridden and blighted part of Reno. The Bank supplied first mortgages as well as "silent" second mortgages, which will be forgiven after the new owners live in their houses for five years.

   Useful Resources:
   Schwab Bank Mortgage
   Fannie Mae First Time Homebuyer
   HUD - Buying a Home:
   Ginnie Mae "Guide to Owning Your Own Home"
   

   Don't Borrow Trouble Campaign, Northern Nevada.
   Helpline: 775-337-6363. Callers will be able to obtain housing counseling services, especially related to predatory lending and mortgage foreclosure assistance, throughout Northern Nevada.

   Down payment Assistance:
   The Nehemiah Community Foundation
   Community Services Agency

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3. Community Development Lending:

Community development (CD) lending includes financing for affordable housing; community service; economic development (small business and small farm) and activities which redevelop, revitalize or stabilize low-and moderate-income communities or otherwise benefit low-and moderate-income individuals in the bank's assessment area.

We currently conduct our CD lending through partnerships with financial intermediaries, including:

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) (www.rcac.org) Focus: training, technical assistance and access to resources in rural communities. RCAC primarily serves low-income people and communities with a population under 50,000. RCAC's main program areas include water, wastewater, affordable housing and community development finance.

Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund. Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund (NCRF) is a nonprofit community development financial institution dedicated to providing capital and resources to revitalize low income and underserved communities. For assistance and information about technical assistance, financing and other services, contact: Peggy Jones, Director, 916-231-5226, pjones@nehemiahcorp.org.

Idaho-Nevada Community Development Financial Institution (ID-NV CDFI). Certified by the U.S Treasury Department (CDFI Fund) as a CDFI, ID-NV operates in Idaho and Nevada. They provide gap financing, direct short and long term loans, business counseling and referrals where appropriate. For more information on eligible projects, contact Chuck Prince, Executive Director, Idaho-Nevada CDFI, 208-637-0671.

Nevada Microenterprise Initiative (NMI) Certified by the US Treasury Department (CDFI Fund) as a CDFI, NMI is a private non-profit entity. They provide business tools to assist in overcoming barriers that may be faced in starting or expanding a small business. They offer business training, business loans and networking opportunities. For additional information, you may contact NMI at info@4microbiz.org.

2. THE NEWS
   

   Bank Enterprise Award. The Bank Enterprise Award (BEA), administered by the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, awarded Charles Schwab Bank $328,200 as a percentage of its investment in the Idaho Nevada CDFI. A total of $9.9 million was awarded. Through the Bank Enterprise Award ("BEA") Program, the CDFI Fund supports financial institutions around the country that are dedicated to financing and supporting community and economic development activities.

   Truckee Meadows Tomorrow Silver Star Award.Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, a community-based, nonprofit organization that supports efforts to improve the quality of life in the Truckee Meadows, Nevada, recognized Charles Schwab Bank as part of the Silver Star Award program for its contributions to the Hillboro Homes neighborhood revitalization project.

3. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES FOR NORTHERN NEVADA.
   Nonprofits and Public Agencies

   Affordable Housing :

   • Affordable Housing Resource Council (Phone: 775-324-1870) Focus: provides direct services and technical assistance to developers, service providers and the community of Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area.
   • Citizens for Affordable Homes (CAHI) (www.cahinev.org) Focus: provides assistance to low and very low income families through development of affordable homes, with emphasis on home ownership.
   • Community Services Agency Development Corporation (CSA) (www.csareno.org) Focus: development of partnerships and resources to achieve self-management opportunities and permanent self sufficiency, especially in affordable housing and home ownership.
   • Nehemiah Corporation of America (www.nehemiahcorp.org) Focus: increasing homeownership and asset development opportunities for diverse populations, while maintaining a commitment to successful, responsible homeownership.
   • Nevada Housing Coalition (http://www.nvhousing.org/) Focus: to find secure and affordable housing options for Nevada's residents.
   • Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA) (Phone: 800-426-6232). Focus: development of affordable housing programs that improve the quality of life in Nevada's rural areas.
   • Northern Nevada Community Housing Resource Board (NNCHRB) (Phone: 775-337-9155) Focus: serving the housing needs of low to very low-income individuals, special needs groups and families.
   • Reno Housing Authority (RHA) (www.renoha.org) Focus: provides and facilitates the development of affordable quality housing that offers self-sufficiency opportunities for low-income citizens of Reno, Sparks and Washoe Counties.
   • ReStart (Phone: 775-324-0446) Focus: to reduce and prevent homelessness and provide professional mental heath services to assist families and individuals in achieving their highest level of self-sufficiency.
   • Ridge House (Phone: 775-322-8941) Focus: serves the criminal justice population through prevention, intervention and rehabilitation treatment.
   • Rivendel Independent Living - A 24/7 TLC Transitional Living Community (Phone: 775-324-5445) Focus: creating a safe, supervised, centrally located living environment for at-risk youth in transition between the ages of 18-24.
   • Rural Nevada Development Corporation (RNCD) (www.rndcnv.org) Focus: provide economic development assistance, financing opportunities to small businesses, and healthy, safe, affordable housing to persons in Rural Nevada through assistance including access to capital, business consulting, and affordable housing services.
   • Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity (TMHH) (www.tmhh.org). Focus: building affordable housing in partnership with low-income families.

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   Community and Economic Development

   • California Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA). (http://www.cceda.com/) Focus: Through its work with the Nevada Banker's Collaborative, CCEDA is providing targeted technical assistance and training to community based organizations in Nevada. CCEDA provides a clearinghouse for information and action that advances the field of community economic development through training and continuing education, technical assistance, and advocacy and public policy. http://www.cceda.com/
   • Idaho-Nevada CDFI (Phone: 208-637-0671) Focus: increasing access to capital of small business and community development organizations engaged in economic and community development and affordable housing, halt community deterioration and create jobs throughout Idaho and Nevada.
   • Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund. (http://www.ncrfund.com/) Focus: providing capital and resources to revitalize low income and underserved communities.
   • Nevada Banker's Collaborative (www.nevadacf.org)** Focus: The Nevada Banker's Collaborative is a group of bankers working together on community development and CRA related issues. They have established three initiatives: the State-wide IDA Program (an individual development account fund which makes grants to IDA programs); a community organization capacity building program (provides training and technical assistance to staff and board members of non profit organizations); and a neighborhood revitalization initiative (currently the pilot targets a Las Vegas neighborhood which the member banks will assist in select redevelopment and revitalization efforts). The grant funds and awards made by the Collaborative are administered by the Nevada Community Foundation.** Once on the web site click on Become a Donor, then List of Funds-NBC is listed under the Corporate Donor Advised Funds.
   • Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) (www.rcac.org) Focus: training, technical assistance and access to resources in rural communities. RCAC primarily serves low-income people and communities with a population under 50,000. RCAC's main program areas include water, wastewater, affordable housing and community development finance.

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   Financial Literacy:

   • Consumer Credit Affiliates (www.cccsnevada.org) Focus: financial literacy education and programs in Washoe and Storey Counties, targeted toward individuals of low and moderate income.
   • Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada Inc. (www.itcn.org) Focus: support of Financial Skills classes targeted toward potential homebuyers in Nevada's Native American community.
   • Northern Nevada Don't Borrow Trouble Campaign (Phone: 800-451-4505) Focus: educating consumers and helping victims of predatory lending practices.
   • No. Nevada Tax Coalition, Nevada Legal Services (www.nlstax.net). Focus: implementation of a taxpayer assistance program to ensure that lower income taxpayers receive their maximum tax benefit.
   • Step 2 Lighthouse of the Sierra (www.step2reno.org) Focus: provision of comprehensive, coordinated services related to the treatment and recovery of chemically dependent women and their families, resulting in sustainable self-sufficiency.

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   Small Business Development:

   • California Association of Microenterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) (www.microbiz.org) Focus: increasing opportunities for low-income people and communities by building the capacity of California's microenterprise organizations. Through its work with the Charles Schwab Bank's Capacity Building Grant Program it will provide training and technical assistance to targeted small business related entities in Northern Nevada.
   • EDAWN (www.edawn.org) Focus: recruiting and expanding quality companies that have a positive economic impact on the quality of life in the western Nevada region.
   • Idaho-Nevada CDFI (Phone: 208-637-0671) Focus: increasing access to capital by small business and community development organizations engaged in economic and community development and affordable housing, halt community deterioration and create jobs throughout Idaho and Nevada.
   • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (www.hccnn.org) Focus: Promoting economic development and empowering Hispanic business interests.
   • Nevada Microenterprise Initiative (www4microbiz.org.) Focus: entrepreneurial training, technical assistance and access to loans for new and expanding businesses throughout the State of Nevada, with a focus on low and moderate income individuals.
   • Nevada Small Business Development Center (www.nsbdc.org) Focus: providing free and low-cost information, assistance, counseling and training for Nevada businesses through its statewide network of thirteen centers with the state office being based in the College of Business Administration, University of Nevada, Reno.
   • Reno/Sparks Chamber of Commerce (www.renosparkschamber.org) Focus: supporting business through promotion, advocacy, support and leadership.
   • Sparks Chamber of Commerce (www.sparkschamber.org) Focus: promoting the business and civic interests of Sparks and the surrounding area.

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   Other Community Based Organizations:

   • Food Bank of Northern Nevada (www.fbnn.org) Focus: creation of a hunger-free community in the region through direct services, advocacy, outreach and education.
   • Foster Grandparent Program (Phone: 775-358-2768) Focus: pairing low-income senior citizens with at risk children. Assistance is provided through tutoring, counseling, and guidance by the older volunteers.
   • Health Access Washoe County Community Health Center (HAWC) (Phone: 775-332-7399) Focus: provision of medical, dental, mental health, case management and pharmacy services to uninsured and the underinsured in Washoe County.
   • High Sierra Industries (www.hsireno.com) Focus: provision of work, learning and supported living opportunities for people with developmental, mental and physical challenges.
   • Nevada Women's Fund (http://www.nevadawomensfund.org) Focus: improving the lives of women and children in northern Nevada by raising and distributing funds through direct scholarships and grants to programs. NWF also sponsors programs that help women and girls develop leadership skills that will enable them to make a difference in the community
   • Nevada Hispanic Services (www.nhsreno.org) Focus: direct service, education, advocacy and community involvement in the Hispanic community.
   • Silver State Fair Housing Council (www.silverstatefairhousing.org) Focus: to break down barriers to equal housing opportunity and to create thriving neighborhoods.
   • Truckee Meadows Tomorrow (www.quality-of-life.org) Focus: enhancing the community's ability to continually improve the quality of life through collaboration and partnership.

Information provided on the pages represents current and past programs offered by Charles Schwab Bank. These programs maybe changed or withdrawn without notice. For more information and qualification guidelines, please contact the Bank Community Development Manager.

Information regarding Community Resources is based upon collateral provided by those organizations. This website is for informational purposes only. Please contact the organizations listed directly for further details.