WEST PALM BEACH — On Aug. 23, Bank of America announced more than $450,000 in grants to 22 Palm Beach County nonprofits to help drive economic opportunity for individuals and families. The grants focus on workforce development and education to help individuals chart a path to employment and better economic futures, as well as basic needs fundamental to building life-long stability. Specifically, funding will support programs focused on food insecurity, educational opportunities, affordable housing and shelter, and workforce development.

Employment is a key driver of economic mobility in Palm Beach County. That’s why the bank is focused on building pathways to employment by supporting a range of workforce development and educational opportunities that will help vulnerable individuals and families stabilize and advance. Among the nonprofits receiving grants are the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County to support a summer youth employment program and the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County to support a new high school finance academy that will help create the next generation of business leaders.

“Investing in partnerships with nonprofit organizations addressing issues like youth education and employment is part of our approach to driving economic opportunity and social progress in the community,” said Fabiola Brumley, president, Bank of America Palm Beach County. “This recent philanthropic investment in Palm Beach County nonprofits is just one way Bank of America deploys capital locally to help remove barriers to economic success and build a more sustainable community.”

Although unemployment rates are dropping following the pandemic, the unemployment rate for youth is currently 8.1 percent compared to just 5.3 percent for the entire workforce. With access to immediate and basic needs, such as food, shelter, health resources and housing, individual and families are better positioned to build and maintain a path toward stability and economic opportunity. Recognizing this impact, the bank is directing funding to organizations providing critical services and resources that foster a diverse workforce and support individuals and families.

“Bank of America’s grant, which supports 46 summer junior staff, is helping us create opportunities and employment for today’s young people as we build their skills and provide training to have them ready for tomorrow’s workforce,” said Erin Nicoloso, vice president of marketing and business development for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. “Our programs focus on real-world skills that match the needs of local employers.”

Other organizations receiving grants include: Palm Beach County Food Bank, United Way of Palm Beach County, Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, Lord’s Place, Community Health Center of West Palm Beach, Caridad Center, Christians Reaching out to Society, Urban Youth Impact, The Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition, Promise Fund of Florida, Adopt-a-Family of the Palm Beaches, Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast, Habilitation Center for the Handicapped, Best Foot Forward Foundation, Boca Helping Hands, 211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast, The Glades Initiative, and Suits for Seniors.

These grants build on the $6.6 million Bank of America has provided to organizations in Palm Beach County since 2017.