Philanthropy

$140,000 Granted to Support Economic Mobility in Sarasota / Manatee 

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Partnerships will help build pathways for community members to reach economic success

June 22, 2017 – Bank of America announced $140,000 in economic mobility grants, to be distributed to 15 nonprofits working to increase basic needs and workforce development and education opportunities in the Sarasota and Manatee communities.

The nonprofits receiving funding are connecting youth to first-time jobs, giving young adults alternative pathways to employment, and providing second chances to individuals with barriers to help them rebuild careers and lives. This work aligns with the bank’s commitment to building a diverse local workforce, providing skilled workers to organizations while creating economic opportunity.  Additionally, funding will help individuals and families in Sarasota and Manatee chart a path toward greater economic mobility through access to food, shelter, benefits and other fundamental needs.

“We recognize that addressing immediate basic needs as well as connecting individuals to long-term success through skills-building and jobs are critical to achieving greater economic mobility in our community” – Mike McCoy, Sarasota-Manatee market president, Bank of America.

“We’re honored to partner with nonprofit organizations like the Boys & Girls Club from across Sarasota and Manatee that are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable community.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County will use the funding to support operations and programming at the newly opened and state-of-the art Tom & Debbie Shapiro Career Resource Center, which houses a variety of classes and training programs for teens, including career exploration and college readiness, vocational training and entrepreneurial programs. The program engages students with local business owners, providing young community members with the opportunity to start preparing them to secure competitive community employment opportunities in Sarasota County, or continue their academic career at the collegiate level.

“Our partnership with Bank of America helps us to serve over 5,000 youth in our community,” said Bill Sadlo, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. “With their support and employee volunteers, we’ve been able to help lay a foundation for the youth and families who struggle to access workforce development opportunities, and continue to grow our impact in the Sarasota community.”

Organizations receiving grants include:

The grants in Sarasota and Manatee are part of nearly $43 million in grants the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is providing across the country to advance economic mobility through workforce development and basic needs. These grants are part of the company’s commitment to responsible growth as it works to improve the financial lives of individuals and families. Philanthropic and volunteer investments play a key role in this effort to build thriving communities.

About Bank of America

At Bank of America, our focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors is critical to fulfilling our purpose of helping make people’s financial lives better. Our commitment to growing our business responsibly is embedded in every aspect of our company. It is demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our customers, 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 advocate groups, such as community and environmental organizations, in order to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about, and connect with us on Twitter at @BofA_News.

Source: Matthew Daily, Bank of America

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