Ameriprise Financial Awards $15,000 Grant to CAMBA

Grant will support CAMBA Gardens, a sustainable housing project that will provide safe, permanent and affordable housing to more than 400 people

CAMBA, one of Brooklyn’s largest community-based social service organizations, was recently awarded a $15,000 grant from Ameriprise Financial. Funding will support CAMBA Gardens, a 209 unit development at Kings County Hospital Center (KCHC), also located in Brooklyn, and help provide safe, permanent and affordable housing to more than 400 people.

The affordable housing units, which will be available for low income families and families with special needs, will provide on-site case management and additional support services. CAMBA Gardens is poised to be a national model of how underutilized surplus hospital property can be converted to affordable supportive housing.

Christopher Zarra, an Ameriprise financial advisor in Rockville Centre, N.Y., serves on CAMBA’s Board of Directors and recommended the organization for a grant. “Ameriprise Financial is dedicated to supporting organizations, like CAMBA, that share our goal of improving lives and building strong communities,” explained Zarra. “I’m proud to play a role in supporting this worthwhile cause.”

“We are deeply grateful to Chris Zarra and Ameriprise,” said Joanne Oplustil, Executive Director of CAMBA. “Their generosity has continuously helped to enrich the lives of others and provide opportunities for self-sufficiency. This grant will provide goodwill and humanitarian efforts to model community partnerships and development solutions that will help individuals and families secure decent, affordable homes.”

Ameriprise Financial awards grants three times annually under the company’s three funding platforms: Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Community Vitality and Volunteer Driven Causes. The grant received by CAMBA was one of 67 grants which were awarded to organizations across the country during the company’s recent funding cycle.

About CAMBA

Founded in 1977, CAMBA is one of Brooklyn’s largest community-based social service organizations, with a diverse staff of more than 1,500 employees serving from over 50 locations. CAMBA annually provides services to 35,000 individuals and families in six core areas: Economic Development, Education and Youth Development, Family Support Services, Housing Services and Development, HIV/AIDS Services and Legal Services.

About Ameriprise Financial Community Relations

Ameriprise Financial is dedicated to utilizing the firm’s resources and talents to improve the lives of individuals and build strong communities. Through grantmaking, volunteerism and employee and advisor gift matching programs, the company supports a diverse group of over 5,000 nonprofits across the country.

About Ameriprise Financial

Ameriprise Financial, Inc., is a diversified financial services company serving the comprehensive financial planning needs of the mass affluent and affluent. For more information, visit ameriprise.com.