Bank of America Charitable Foundation Awards $150,000 in Grants to Nonprofits Providing Workforce and Educational Programming in Columbia
July 6, 2015
Grant recipients provide skills training and education-focused initiatives to help individuals build stronger financial lives
COLUMBIA, SC – The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced over $150,000 in grants to twelve nonprofits focused on providing access to workforce development and educational programming in Columbia. These grants are part of the bank’s broader philanthropic investment in helping individuals and families in South Carolina lead stronger financial lives.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, South Carolina has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation at 6.8 percent. Nonprofits that provide access to workforce and educational programs play a critical role in connecting the unemployed, low-income individuals and families to the technical training necessary to advance in the workforce.
“South Carolina has been modernizing its economy which means it needs a more skilled and educated workforce,” said Kim Wilkerson, South Carolina and Columbia market president for Bank of America. “Our philanthropic investments are one way that we’re working to connect individuals in our community to the resources they need to further their career paths and help them lead more financially stable lives.”
One nonprofit receiving a grant is Midlands Technical College, which will be using the funding to expand its QuickJobs program. QuickJobs encompasses nearly 50 training programs, lasting from three weeks to 15 months, and covers careers in business, healthcare, computer technology and manufacturing. Many jobs in these fields require training, ranging from short-term on-the-job to a postsecondary vocational certificate.
“QuickJobs has provided thousands of individuals with the skills and credentialing necessary to qualify and find employment across the state,” said Dr. Ronald L. Rhames, president of Midlands Technical College. “Bank of America has been a long-standing partner and instrumental in funding the QuickJobs program that is helping train a 21stcentury workforce for South Carolina.”
Bank of America’s funding will also support educational and mentoring programs for the state’s youth. The bank’s funding will support programming like the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands’ CareerLaunch program. Through a partnership with Midland high schools in Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington and Richland Counties, the CareerLaunch curriculum provides career exploration and mentoring opportunities for teens ages 13-18 to develop job skills and expand upon their understanding of professional career paths.
Other organizations receiving grants include: City Year, Columbia College, Columbia Urban League, Communities in Schools, Junior Achievement, Midlands Education & Business Alliance, Midlands Housing Alliance, Midlands Middle College, SCORE and Youth Corp.
These grants build on years of philanthropic and employee volunteer support as part of a larger effort to help individuals and families build better money habits and find pathways out of poverty. In addition to funding local nonprofits, Bank of America employee volunteers are dedicated to a number of local causes, including volunteering nearly 5,000 hours of time across Columbia last year.
To learn more about Bank of America’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs and practices, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow the company on Twitter @BofA_News and @BofA_Community.
