Programs that help address the local issues around inequitable access to primary healthcare will be able to scale, helping even more people through a multi-year grant from Bank of America. Christ Community Health has been named as the 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion for its work in the Greater Augusta/Aiken community addressing these issues.

As part of the program, Christ Community Health will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability and storytelling. 

Founded in 2007, Christ Community operates two clinics in downtown Augusta. With a staff of more than 100, they provide adult and pediatric medical, dental, behavioral health, HIV/Chronic Disease Management and Lab Services to more than 7,200 uninsured and underinsured families from a 10-country region around Augusta.

“As communities continue to recover and navigate a changing landscape, nonprofits are still experiencing significant demands and are in need of resources to help provide essential health and behavioral services.” said Ora Parish, president, Bank of America Augusta / Aiken. “Christ Community Health helps bridge important gaps for individuals and families to help them chart a path toward economic opportunity and stability. Support and programs like Neighborhood Champions help these organizations grow sustainably and strategically for greater positive impact in the community.”

“We’re grateful for Bank of America’s many years of generous support for Christ Community,” said Don Branum, CEO of Christ Community Health. “We look forward to tapping into their training resources to help our team sharpen their leadership skills. This grant means more uninsured and underinsured families will have an affordable option for quality healthcare. Good health is critical to maintaining employment, staying in school and overcoming poverty.”

Alongside Augusta, the bank will bring the program to over 42 additional communities across the U.S. this fall as part of its commitment to investing in the long-term health of communities. The Neighborhood Champions program is invitation-only for nonprofits who are poised to take their work to the next level. Leading members of the community participated in a collaborative selection process to identify this year’s awardee.

The Neighborhood Champions program is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders®, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Since the program’s inception in 2019, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million in 126 organizations within 42 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program.