Rise Augusta has been named as the 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion for their work in the Augusta community removing economic barriers and advancing economic opportunity. As part of the program, Rise Augusta will receive $50,000 in grant support for their STRIVE program 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.  

“Nonprofits are the backbone to our local community as they are on the ground working closely with individuals, families and community members to understand the obstacles many are experiencing and developing programs and services that will help alleviate or eliminate these barriers, helping them chart a path toward economic opportunity,” said Ora Parish, president, Bank of America Greater Augusta / Aiken. “It’s important that we direct not only capital, but the necessary resources and training to help position these nonprofits and their leadership team for long-term success as they grow strategically and make a positive impact.

Rise Augusta believes in the potential of all children to be successful by providing basic needs support, literacy immersion programs and successful transition of disadvantaged high school students to adult careers through skills training and placement. The grant will support the organization’s STRIVE program which helps young adults navigate and develop a career plan. 

“This incredible investment from Bank of America will be key to STRIVE’s program this year and beyond,” said Laurie Cook, executive director, Rise Augusta, Inc. “Our goal is to help provide disadvantaged students with the tools and resources they need to make vocational choices that will lead to quality economic opportunities and self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, many youths in poverty do not have the adult role models, benefits, or opportunities that have been afforded to their peers, making their successful transition from school to career very difficult. Working with local businesses and other organizations, our goal is to change that paradigm for the youth we serve.” 

The invitation-only Bank of America Neighborhood Champion program is highly competitive, and organizations are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Champion honorees. 

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. Through 2021, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million in 126 organizations within 42 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program.