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Contact:
Julissa Gonzalez
ph 407.218.4300 ext. 4368
fax 407.218.4301
jgonzalez@questinc.org

www.questinc.org

Quest Named 2009 Neighborhood Builder, Awarded $200,000 by Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Orlando, Florida (November 18, 2009) – Quest Inc. has been named a 2009 Neighborhood Builder by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation as part of its national Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI). The nonprofit organization was honored at the sixth annual NEI awards ceremony held on Nov. 17 at the Orlando Repertory Theater.

The local NEI awards recognize and reward organizations that are making a difference in Central Florida. Quest will receive $200,000 in unrestricted grant funding and participate in Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Leadership Program with other nonprofit leaders from 45 communities across the country and London.

As a leader in the disability services field, Quest has helped children and adults with disabilities in Central Florida reach their goals for nearly 50 years through its variety of vocational, residential, recreational and children’s programs. The award will allow the organization to expand its efforts in assisting people with disabilities to increase their independence through its services.

“Being named a Neighborhood Builder affirms the strength of our mission, our work and our organization’s true impact in Central Florida – an impact that will be increased as a result of this generous award,” said Katie Porta, president of Quest. “Our organization commends Bank of America for its continued commitment to supporting and strengthening vital communities, especially in these difficult economic times.”

Since introducing the program in 2004, Bank of America has invested $18 million throughout the state to help nonprofits increase their long-term viability and most recently to help sustain them in this challenging economic environment.

Since introducing the program in 2004, Bank of America has invested $18 million throughout the state to help nonprofits increase their long-term viability and most recently to help sustain them in this challenging economic environment.

“Nonprofit and community leaders are instrumental in providing critical neighborhood services, and Bank of America is proud to support their work through the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative and other lending, investing and community development programs that align with our overall corporate social responsibility efforts,” said Mike Fields, Florida market president at Bank of America. “Not only does this program recognize some of the truly stand-out organizations and leaders in Florida, but it also offers valuable unrestricted financial support and professional development opportunities – critical to the long-term success of our communities.”

Quest is one of only two local nonprofits named a 2009 Neighborhood Builder by Bank of America in Orlando. The Apopka Family Learning Center based out of Apopka, Fla., was the other recipient of this year’s award.

About Quest, Inc.:
Quest helps people with disabilities achieve their dreams of going to school, having a job, living on their own, and experiencing summer camp. As Central Florida’s largest provider of these services, Quest makes a difference in the lives of more than 1,000 people each day and has been part of our community for nearly 50 years. For more information about Quest, visit www.questinc.org.

About the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative:
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative annually recognizes organizations, individuals and students who have shown a commitment to improving their communities. In its sixth year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has committed more than $110 million globally to the NEI program since its inception. By the end of 2009, more than 800 leaders from the nonprofit awardees will have participated in the Neighborhood Excellence Leadership Program, which builds a network of community leaders across the country to share learning and insight in areas including strategic communications, financial management, succession planning, and long-term development. Through NEI, Bank of America has also encouraged community leadership at the grassroots level by recognizing more than 1,200 high school students and 1,200 community leaders over the last six years.

About Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy:
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America this year embarked on a new, ten-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2008, making the bank the most generous financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Bank associate volunteers contributed more than 900,000 hours in 2008 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.

Attached Photo: Quest President Katie Porta (left) with John Moskos, Central Florida president of Bank of America (right).

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