Bank of America announced today that 17 nonprofits in Augusta were awarded a total of more than $248,000 in grant funding in 2019. The nonprofit organizations are building pathways to economic progress by addressing basic needs, community development and workforce development. The company’s giving this year was underscored in the fourth quarter with a $50,000 commitment to Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) through the bank’s Neighborhood Champions program.
 
“We are dedicated to improving the lives of people in Augusta and making a significant impact on our city’s economic prosperity,” said Ora Parrish, Augusta market president, Bank of America. “Our ongoing investment in our nonprofit partners aims to address critical issues facing our community.”
 
Neighborhood Champions
In November, Bank of America committed $50,000 to Neighborhood Champion inaugural awardee Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA to further its mission of helping unemployed and underemployed individuals gain jobs and advance careers or education while helping Augusta meet its growing demand for a well-trained workforce.
 
Basic Needs
Bank of America is committed to helping nonprofit partners that assist individuals and families at their immediate point of need, as well as organizations that deliver longer term solutions such as access to financial education and coaching. In 2019, Bank of America awarded $97,000 in basic needs grants to four Augusta nonprofits, including Golden Harvest Food Bank, Christ Community Health Services Augusta, Family Promise of Augusta and Safe Home of Augusta.
 
Community, Workforce, and Economic Development
Bank of America awarded an additional $20,000 in community development grants to three nonprofits to help increase access to affordable housing and support neighborhood revitalization in Augusta. Recipients included Habitat for Humanity Aiken, Habitat for Humanity Augusta/CSRA and Turn Back the Block.
 
Bank of America’s 2019 philanthropic giving also included more than $76,000 to nine nonprofits connecting individuals and young adults to employment and improving education and training for our workforce. Recipients included Aiken Technical College Foundation, University of South Carolina Aiken, Salvation Army of Aiken Boys & Girls Club, Augusta Technical College Foundation, Augusta Training Shop, ForcesUnited, Salvation Army of Greater Augusta and the two Student Leaders working with Golden Harvest Food Bank,
 
Additionally, Bank of America allocated $5,000 to the Augusta Symphony as part of its commitment to arts and culture and $12,000 through its signature program Museums on Us, with partner Morris Museum. This funding was recognized by the Greater Augusta Arts Council, which named Bank of America the arts award business winner for 2019.
 
Employee Giving
The bank’s philanthropic spirit also extended to its employees, who contributed more than $20,000 to qualifying charitable organizations and volunteered more than 2,000 hours to date serving Augusta nonprofits in 2019. Volunteer efforts include building Habitat for Humanity homes, teaching financial education and serving lunch at the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen.
 
Bank of America is committed to giving back to the neighborhoods where its employees live and work. The oldest parts of the company extend back 140 years in Georgia, and it has served the needs of the communities since its foundation. “The bank’s community-centered approach serves as a connection for us to help the Augusta community access guidance and resources to be successful and help our customers thrive,” said Parrish.