To support communities amid the ongoing pandemic, Bank of America more than doubled its philanthropic investments to community partners in 2020, awarding a total of $2.158 million to 78 nonprofits across the Inland Empire with a focus on alleviating the unprecedented impacts to health services, food insecurity, jobs and education. Bank of America also donated 278,000 PPE masks and 639 cases of 8-ounce hand sanitizer to essential workers and vulnerable populations.
As part of this philanthropic investment, the bank partnered with28 organizations such as Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Desert AIDS Project, Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties and Hope Through Housing Foundation to help expand their services providing basic and emergency needs, such as resources for individuals experiencing homelessness and rapid-testing services.
Grants were also awarded to 22 nonprofits centered around workforce development and education needs, helping organizations like Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, Child Advocates of San Bernardino County and Riverside City College purchase laptops and other technology, and deliver support necessary for students’ success amid distance learning.
As the employment rate increased, resources and capital for affordable housing, small business and art and cultural organizations also grew. To help, Bank of America distributed grants to 28 local nonprofits focused on these needs across the region. A few organizations include Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity Fund Community Development, Angel View, and The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
“While all of us have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic, the nonprofit sector continues to experience unprecedented demand for critical services to support vulnerable populations such as seniors and communities of color who are disproportionately impacted. As a major company and employer, Bank of America recognizes the responsibility we have to support our local communities however we can,” said Al Arguello, Inland Empire market president, Bank of America. “By directing philanthropic capital locally, we can address the most immediate needs while helping our most vulnerable communities become more resilient and positioned for success moving forward.”
As an essential business, Bank of America also invested in the health and economic stability of its own employees this year by raising its minimum hourly pay to $20 and expanding family benefits, including increasing childcare reimbursement to $100 per day, providing meal subsidies, and giving supplemental bonus pay to essential workers serving the daily banking needs of clients.
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).
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