As part of its commitment to strengthening communities by addressing critical needs, Bank of America has awarded a total of $814,000 to 21 local nonprofits across Greater Augusta / Aiken this year.

With a particular focus on closing the equity and wealth gaps in communities of color and other disadvantaged populations disproportionately impacted by the prolonged pandemic, Bank of America’s local giving this year was directed to alleviate the impacts of health, food insecurity, jobs and education. In 2021 alone, Bank of America has contributed $19.2 million to 109 organizations across the state of Georgia to provide resources to vulnerable and underserved communities.

Local philanthropic investments included grants to Augusta Technical College and Aiken Technical College to provide access to education and job skills training. Additional grants were given to Christ Community Health Services to expand access to affordable health, dental and behavioral care and Habitat for Humanity to support community revitalization and affordable housing programs.

 “While the pandemic has taken a toll on us all, our focus has been to enable economic mobility and broader community vitality through investments supporting basic needs, workforce development, education, and community arts through partnerships many of which support social progress and racial equality in communities across the greater Augusta-Aiken region. The private sector has a responsibility to provide support that can serve as a catalyst to help advance economic opportunity for everyone,” said Ora Parish, president, Bank of America Augusta / Aiken.

As an essential business, Bank of America also invested in the health and economic stability of its own teammates this year by raising its minimum hourly pay to $21 as a next step in the company’s plans to increase hourly pay to $25 by 2025.