Fort Worth-based Project Beloved was selected as one of 13 nonprofits from around the world to receive a Bank of America Employee Grant.
Project Beloved received a $50,000 grant to serve local communities from Bank of America, which received more than 2,800 nominations.
Project Beloved was created by Tracy Matheson in honor of her daughter Molly, who was sexually assaulted and murdered in 2017. Project Beloved’s mission is to educate, advocate and collaborate to change the conversation about sexual assault and empower its survivors.
Emily Boydston, a wealth management advisor at Merrill Lync, nominated Project Beloved for the grant.
“We had to find a way to take our unbearable tragedy and immeasurable pain and use that to bring change,” Matheson said. “Project Beloved was founded out of a parent’s worst nightmare. We are determined Molly’s story will be a catalyst for change and I am grateful that Bank of America’s support will help us tremendously with our mission.”
With the grant amount, Project Beloved plans to fund its Beloved Bundles program and create soft interview rooms at police stations.
The rooms include comfortable seating, pleasant lighting, artwork and rugs to help survivors feel more physically and emotionally safe.
“As a community, we were moved by the story of Tracy’s daughter Molly and Tracy’s commitment to turn a tragic event into something positive through Project Beloved. We are excited to provide this additional funding to help Project Beloved reach its mission in our community and others,” said Mike Pavell, the bank’s Fort Worth market president.
Since the formation of its domestic violence task force in 2013, Bank of America has contributed more than $2.8 million toward organizations and causes working to address domestic violence through matching gifts, grants, and charitable donations.
Organizations it has supported include New York City-based Safe Horizon and Charlotte-based organizations Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage and Safe Alliance, among others.