Bank of America recently announced more than $1.3 million in economic mobility grants that will be distributed to nearly 60 Delaware nonprofits. The focus of the grants is on employment and hunger.
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 our commitment to building a diverse Delaware workforce, that provides skilled workers to organizations and creates economic opportunity.
Additionally, funding will help individuals and families in Delaware 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,” said Chip Rossi, Delaware market president, Bank of America. “We’re honored to partner with nonprofit organizations from across our state like Connections Community Support, the Delaware Council on Economic Education, and the Food Bank of Delaware that are helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable community.”
Connections Community Support Programs (CCSP) will use the funding for its Connect to Work program, which employs veterans and individuals with substance use disorders and re-entering offenders.
The Delaware Council on Economic Education will use the funding for financial literacy education for students in Delaware and related training for their teachers.
Food Bank of Delaware will use the funding for their community nutrition outreach vehicle, which continues to meet the needs of under-served populations across the state through a variety of direct nutrition distribution programs.
“We partner with Bank of America in a variety of ways, from volunteerism to grant support of our community nutrition outreach vehicle, to be able to ensure Delawareans have access to healthy food,” said Patricia Beebe, CEO, Food Bank of Delaware. “With support from their employee volunteers, we help lay a foundation for the individuals and families who struggle to access a most basic need – food, and continue to grow our impact in the Delaware community.”
Other organizations receiving grants include: AIDS Delaware; American National Red Cross; ARC of Delaware; Austism Delaware: Big Brothers Big Sisters; Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware; Brandywine Community Resource Council; Challenge Program; Children & Families First; Christina Cultural Arts Center; CityFest (City Summer Youth Employment Program); Connections CSP; DE Business Roundtable Educ Comm; DE Restaurant Assoc Educ Fdn; Delaware Council on Econ. Education; Delaware Futures; Delaware Guidance Services; Delaware Technical & Community College; Delaware College of Art & Design; Delaware Financial Literacy Institute; Easter Seals; First State Community Action Agency; First State Community Loan Fund; Food Bank of Delaware; Goodwill; Interfaith Community Housing; Jewish Family Services; Jobs for Delaware Graduates; Junior Achievement; La Esperanza; La Red; Latin American Community Center; Lutheran Community Services; Meals on Wheels; Ministry of Caring; Neighborhood House; Nemours; Newark Senior Center; ServiceSource; Public Allies; Ronald McDonald House; Salvation Army; Special Olympics; St. Patrick’s Center; Sunday Breakfast Mission; Teach for America; Tech Impact; United Way of Delaware; UrbanPromise; Westside Family Healthcare; Wilmington Hope Commission; Wilmington Senior Center; Year Up; YMCA of Delaware; and YWCA of Delaware.
The grants in Delaware 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. In Delaware, Bank of America employees volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually.
