Bank doles out $1.2M to nonprofits in 2017

TAMPA — The Bank of America Charitable Foundation awarded $1.2 million in grants to 37 nonprofits in the Tampa Bay area in 2017.

In a press release, Bank of America says its support this year focused on organizations that work toward improving the economic mobility of everyone in Tampa Bay through workforce development, basic needs or affordable housing services. Its investments also went to programs that help children and teenagers, such as Computer Mentors Group, which runs programs that teach IT skills to at-risk youth.

“Investing in local nonprofits that are improving the lives of so many is one of the best parts of our jobs at Bank of America,” states Bill Goede, Bank of America Tampa Bay market president, in the release. “We are committed to helping people build better lives and will continue to invest in our nonprofit partners to address critical issues that our communities face.”

In April, Bank of America surprised 24 nonprofits with an investment of $602,000 in grants that support the economic mobility of families and individuals. In addition to Computer Mentors Group, other recipients included the Homeless Emergency Project and Project Prosper Inc.; the latter provides financial literacy and one-on-one mentoring to immigrant families and individuals, with the goal of helping them integrate into the American financial system.

In November, Bank of America partnered with the Tampa Bay Rays to build a new playground at University Area Harvest Hope Park. According to the release, more than 100 Bank of America employees volunteered time to build the playground.

In total, Bank of America employees volunteered more than 32,000 hours serving Tampa Bay nonprofits in 2017, the release states.