The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has issued a call for applications for nonprofit organizations and community leaders to apply for grant funding through the bank’s grassroots philanthropic program, the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative.

Last year, the Foundation honored Tamon Norimoto, as the chair of San Jose’s Housing and Community Development Commission and president of the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose, with a 2010 Silicon Valley Local Heroes award.

The program recognizes and rewards service and leadership by organizations, individuals and students in 44 U.S. cities and in London. Applications for the Neighborhood Builders® (nonprofit organizations) and Local Heroes (community leaders) categories of the program are due by June 1, 2011 and can be submitted online at www.bankofamerica.com/neighborhoodexcellence.

In 2011, the Foundation will honor more than 90 nonprofits (two in each participating market) that work to strengthen the social and economic health of their neighborhoods. Each will receive $200,000 in unrestricted grant funding and participate in the bank’s strategic leadership training program.

Also this year, the program will recognize more than 225 leaders (five in each market) who champion causes vital to their local communities and inspire others to get involved through community service. Each recipient will direct a $5,000 contribution from the Foundation to an eligible nonprofit of his or her choice.

Local selection committees comprised of private, public and nonprofit sector leaders and chaired by local Bank of America executives in the 45 participating communities will choose the award recipients.

For more information about the Program, call 1-800-218-9946, Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.