Bank of America Iowa has awarded $265,000 in grants to 14 Iowa nonprofit organizations, including two in the Quad Cities, to address the needs of individuals and families in vulnerable communities.
Among the 14 recipients are Humility Homes & Services and River Bend Foodbank, both located in Davenport. Another recipient is Women Lead Change, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, which has Quad Cities membership.
According to Bank of America Iowa’s news release, the grants are designed to drive meaningful and sustainable progress while helping tackle society’s biggest challenges. This is the first round of grants this year that the company awards to local nonprofits.
With a focus on health and jobs, these investments address the economic and social conditions influencing family stability, access to food and healthcare, and workforce development, the release said. Specifically, funding will support nonprofit organizations that pull people away from poverty and into economic mobility and provide access to quality education and skills training.
In Iowa, 11.1% of the population lives in poverty, according to the 2022 United States Census Bureau.
Access to quality education and skills training is critical to drive Iowa’s economic growth and end poverty. That’s why the bank is focused on supporting a range of workforce development opportunities, including student support, post-secondary institutions and youth and adult upskilling and reskilling programs.
“Partnering with Iowa nonprofit organizations to address issues like food access and nutrition, family stabilization and youth workforce development is part of our approach to fostering economic mobility and equitable progress,” Heidi Parkhurst, president, Bank of America Iowa, said in the release.
“These investments demonstrate how we are taking action to provide our community the essential resources and support needed to help people succeed today and in tomorrow’s economy,” Ms. Parkhurst added.
In addition to the nonprofits with QC ties, the other 11 grant recipients announced by Bank of America are: By Degrees Foundation; Ellipsis; Food Bank of Iowa; Iowa Healthiest State Initiative; Jewels Academy; Junior Achievement of Central Iowa; Oakridge Neighborhood Services; OneIowa; Solidarity Microfinance; Tanager Place; and Urban Dreams.
The company said these grants build on the $2.7 million provided by Bank of America to organizations in Iowa since 2018 and are part of the company’s commitment to delivering responsible growth to improve the financial lives of individuals, families and entire communities. For more information on Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation, visit here.
