SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Bank of America recently announced it recently awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to 20 local nonprofits across the Greater Sacramento region and San Joaquin Valley to drive meaningful and sustainable progress to help tackle society’s biggest challenges. This first round of grants the company awards to local nonprofits throughout the year was focused on health-related and workforce development programs.

Two of this year’s grant awardees include Digital NEST and Sunburst Projects. Digital NEST, serving Stockton and Modesto, among other California cities, creates scalable technology learning centers for Latino youth, providing culturally relevant and age-appropriate programs to help members of underserved communities explore career pathways, build confidence and pave the way for careers in tech and tech-adjacent industries. Sunburst Projects, located in Sacramento, has supported the Northern California HIV/AIDS community and their loved ones for nearly 40 years, helping clients access medical care and lifesaving medications, so they can live their healthiest lives and reach their highest potential. 

“Partnerships are how you accelerate and amplify impact. We are proud to consider Bank of America, as a partner of the Digital NEST,” said Jacob Martinez, founder and CEO of Digital NEST. “With the support of Bank of America, we have been able to provide programming that allows our youth to build a foundation of the professional and technical skills and experiences every young person needs to thrive in today’s workforce.”

“Sunburst Projects is dedicated to enhancing public health by providing free HIV and STD testing. Thanks to the generous support of Bank of America, we can expand our outreach and better serve communities disproportionately affected by these health crises. Together, we are making a transformative impact,” shared Jake Bradley-Rowe, executive director of Sunburst Projects.

Other organizations receiving grants include: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, California Restaurant Association Foundation Inc., Center for Employment Opportunities Inc., Food Literacy Center, GRID Alternatives North Valley, Juma Ventures, Junior Achievement of Sacramento, NPower Inc., Pride Industries, Sacramento Food Bank, Sacramento Loaves and Fishes, Saint John’s Program for Change, Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, Sierra College Foundation, Soil Born Farms, Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services, Women’s Empowerment and Yolo Food Bank.

“As demand for nonprofit services continue to rise, businesses can play a role in in creating real change for people and families in need,” said CP Parmar, president, Sacramento. “Investing in the region’s nonprofits that help remove barriers to economic stability is one way Bank of America can help make financial lives better.”

These grants build on the $9 million Bank of America provided to Greater Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley organizations and the 56,000 hours of employee volunteerism to local causes since 2019.

Additional background about Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation giving can be found at https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/charitable-foundation-funding.