This first round of Grants to 32 local organizations supports basic needs, workforce development and education in vulnerable communities
Bank of America today announced $560,000 in grants to 32 Inland Empire nonprofits to help drive economic opportunity for individuals and families. This first round of grants from the bank focus on workforce development and education to help individuals chart a path to employment and better economic futures, as well as basic needs fundamental to building life-long stability. Specifically, funding will support programs focused on job reskilling, food insecurity, affordable housing/shelter, youth education and employment and healthcare.
The Inland Empire cost of living surged 10 percent in the past year, according to the Consumer Price Index, straining household incomes. Bank of America is focused on building pathways to careers by supporting a range of workforce development and educational opportunities to help vulnerable individuals and families stabilize and advance economically.
For example, recent grant recipient OneFuture Coachella Valley works to ensure Coachella Valley’s K-12 and college age students from low-income households succeed in college, career and life by providing access to higher education and helping chart a pathway to employment. It will use its grant for its equitable career pathway programs for low-income, high-need, and first generation students.
“Putting our youth on a promising career path towards a stable financial future while meeting the needs of local employers is critical for a thriving economy,” said Sheila Thornton, President and CEO, OneFuture Coachella Valley. “The more students we reach, the more we can expand and enhance the local workforce so our youth and economy thrive.”
Another grant recipient, Growing Inland Achievement is a regional K-16 education network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners working towards educational and economic success in the Inland Empire. The grant from Bank of America will help fund its Returning Adult Action Network Team which provides education and workforce opportunities for disadvantaged adults.
“Our goal is for Riverside and San Bernardino counties to become a recognized leader for developing a well-educated workforce, thriving communities and vibrant economy,” said Carlos Ayala, President and CEO, Growing Inland Achievement. “Critical support from partners like Bank of America help us scale our programs and pursue our goal of providing reliable career pathways for adults.”
Other organizations across the Inland Empire and region receiving grants include:
Inland Empire: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, Hope Through Housing Foundation, Inland SoCal 211, Starting Over
Riverside: Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, Fox Riverside Theater Foundation, Oak Grove Institute Foundation, Think Together, Operation Safe House Inc., Young Scholars for Academic Empowerment (Truevolution)
San Bernardino: Crafton Hills College Foundation, Child Advocates of San Bernardino, Foothill Family Shelter, Goodwill Industries of Southern California, OPARC, Pacific Clinics, Time for Change Foundation
Coachella Valley: Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, College of the Desert Foundation, Cove Communities Senior Association (The Joslyn Center), Desert AIDS Project, Desert Arc, FIND Food Bank Shelter, Galilee Center, Hidden Harvest, One Future Coachella Valley
High Desert: Family Assistance Program, Community Health Action network (CHAN)
“Investing in nonprofits addressing issues like job reskilling, food insecurity, affordable housing/shelter, youth employment and family services is part of our approach to driving economic opportunity and social progress in the Inland Empire,” said Bansree Parikh, President, Bank of America Inland Empire. “This recent philanthropic investment in Inland Empire nonprofits is just one way Bank of America deploys capital locally to help remove barriers to economic success and build a more sustainable community.”
These grants are the initial round of dollars directed to local nonprofits this year, with more to come throughout the year. Last year alone, Bank of America awarded $1.6 million in grants to 70 local nonprofits. Philanthropic investments and employee volunteerism continue to play a key role in this effort to build thriving communities. Last year alone, employees volunteered 10,000 hours to local causes.
Additional background about Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation giving can be found here.
Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
