Save the Illinois River, Inc.
24369 E 757 Rd.
Tahlequah, OK 74464-1949
(918) 284-9440

[Archived] Bank of America Foundation makes $5,000 grant in Tahlequah

| News | January 17, 2018

TAHLEQUAH, OKLA. -- The Bank of America Foundation today announced a $5,000 grant to Save The Illinois River, Inc. (STIR).

TAHLEQUAH, OKLA. -- The Bank of America Foundation today announced a $5,000 grant to Save The Illinois River, Inc. (STIR). The contribution is part of the $255,000 Bank of America Community Catalyst Grant program, which awarded $5,000 grants, during the first quarter 2000, to nonprofits in 51 U.S. cities. Each grant was made to grassroots nonprofit organizations that support community development activities focused on the environment.


“Bank of America believes environmental protection and conservation is an integral component of doing business in today’s world,” said Beverly Adkisson, president of Bank of America Tahlequah. “We are pleased to present this Catalyst Grant to STIR to support its efforts in protecting the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller.”


STIR is the only private nonprofit organization chartered for protection of the Illinois River, its tributaries and Lake Tenkiller. The Illinois River, a state-designated scenic river, and Lake Tenkiller are located primarily in Cherokee County, Okla., with a population of 30,000 people. Due to growth in the Illinois River Basin, pollution in the river and lake is threatening water quality.


STIR will use the Bank of America Catalyst Grant to increase public education and awareness about water quality of the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. Development of STIR’s website, www.illinoisriver.org, as a major communication tool is also planned.


“STIR is very grateful to the Bank of America Foundation for the
generous environment grant,” said Julian Fite, STIR president. “Our organization is now in a better position than ever before to help protect our beloved Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller for future generations.”


Ed Fite, administrator of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, is STIR vice president. Ed Brocksmith is secretary treasurer. Both are co-founders of STIR.


The Bank of America Environmental Commitment pledges the company to reduce the environmental impacts of its own internal operations, advocate a conservation ethic among associates worldwide, demonstrate environmental sensitivity in business and engage in public outreach to form a bridge between business and the environment. These efforts reflect the bank’s long-held commitment to help make economic development compatible with environmental protection.


Bank of America Catalyst Grants are an ongoing program managed by the Bank of America Foundation, in which approximately $250,000 in grants is awarded on a quarterly basis, or $1 million annually, to nonprofit organizations with operating budgets of generally $500,000 or less.


Each quarter has a different theme, reflecting one of the four main categories of Bank of America Foundation giving. This year’s categories are: second quarter, health and human services with a focus on early childhood development; third quarter, education with a focus on building multicultural awareness; and fourth quarter, arts and culture with a focus on arts education.


The Bank of America Foundation contributes financial assistance to nonprofit institutions and organizations that enhance the quality of life and promote the public interest in the areas where the company conducts its business. The primary focus of the Foundation is education. Other major areas of giving include health and human services, community development, and arts and culture. On April 15, the Bank of America Foundation received the 1999 Spirit of America Award, the United Way of America’s highest honor for a company with outstanding corporate community involvement.


Bank of America, with $656 billion in assets, is the largest bank in the United States. It has full-service operations in 21 states and the District of Columbia and provides financial products and services to 30 million households and two million businesses, as well as providing international corporate financial services for business transactions in 190 countries. The company’s stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the New York, Pacific and London stock exchanges, and certain shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.