Bank of America announced it contributed $4.6 million in grants and sponsorships to the Atlanta community in 2019, including $2.7 million in funding to 50 local nonprofits. The nonprofit organizations are building pathways to economic progress by addressing basic needs, community development, workforce development and education. The bank’s giving this year was underscored in the fourth quarter with a $400,000 commitment to both the Atlanta Land Trust and Latin American Association through the company’s Neighborhood Builders program.
 
“This year marked Bank of America’s one-hundredth year in Atlanta, and our community-centered approach has remained the same,” said Wendy Stewart, Atlanta market president, Bank of America. “By working together with our nonprofit partners who are addressing critical issues, we can help ensure opportunities for our community are within reach.”
 
Through the years, Bank of America has remained committed to helping nonprofit partners like City of Refuge, Atlanta Technical College, Year Up, Atlanta Community Food Bank and East Lake Foundation 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.
 
Twenty-five years ago, Bank of America (formerly NationsBank) became the first corporate partner of the East Lake community to help revitalize the neighborhood. This commitment has continued, providing more than $860,000 in grants to the East Lake Foundation since 2011. In 2019, the Atlanta-based Student Leaders from Bank of America worked at East Lake Foundation for the fifth year to assist senior citizens with computer classes, tutor and mentor elementary and middle school youth and serve as counselors for the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) summer camp at Drew Charter School.
 
The bank’s philanthropic spirit also extends to its employees, who contributed more than $745,000 to date to qualifying charitable organizations in 2019. Bank employees also volunteered 55,000 hours to date working on various projects such as planting trees, delivering Better money Habits and financial literacy curriculum, teaching job interview skills and organizing clothing collections. One of the bank’s longest partnerships is with Habitat for Humanity, and 2019 marks the 33rd year and 26th house the company helped build.
 
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.
 
“We have 100 years of history in Atlanta with diverse, driven colleagues who believe that if we work hard, we can improve lives and those of generations to come.” said Stewart.