Bank of America awards nearly $700,000 in grants to Memphis-area nonprofits

Omer Yusuf || Memphis Commercial Appeal

Published 10:44 a.m. CT Oct. 5, 2022

CodeCrew students with the Grizzlies' Director of Player Support, Elliot Perry, a former NBA player and Memphis native - Courtesy of CodeCrew

Bank of America plans to award nearly $700,000 in grants to 20 Memphis nonprofits to help locally drive economic opportunity.

The $686,625 in grant funding will support programs focused on jobs, training, small business support, affordable housing, community revitalization and healthcare with the goal of building long-term stability in the area.

“Investing in partnerships with nonprofit organizations, addressing systemic issues, is fundamental to driving economic access and social progress in Memphis,” said Trevia Chatman, president of Bank of America Memphis. “This is just one way Bank of America deploys capital locally to help remove barriers to economic success and build a more sustainable community.”

In a news release announcing the grants, Bank of America stated employment is a key driver of economic mobility in Memphis, and that’s why the bank is supporting a range of workforce development and educational opportunities to help vulnerable individuals and families stabilize and advance.

CodeCrew, The University of Memphis Foundation, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), Habitat for Humanity and Mid-South Food Bank are five of the 20 nonprofits receiving grants. A full list of nonprofits receiving grants from Bank of America is listed at the end of the story.

“This generous gift from Bank of America takes CodeCrew to the next level as we produce the diverse software engineering talent that Memphis — in fact, our whole country — needs,” said Meka Egwuekwe, CodeCrew executive director. “We are both honored and proud to have such a forward-thinking partner like Bank of America that understands the importance of connecting these young adults with lucrative, 21st century skills and careers.”

The latest grants are in addition to the $3.1 million Bank of America has provided to organizations in Memphis since 2017. Bank of America employees in Memphis have also contributed $1.4 million and more than 11,000 hours of volunteer hours since 2017, according to a news release.

The 20 organizations receiving grants include:

• Agape Child and Family Services

• City Year Memphis

• CodeCrew

• Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South

• Innovate Memphis

• University of Memphis Foundation

• Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA)

• SchoolSeed Foundation

• Christ Community Health

• Dress for Success

• Shelby Farms Park Conservancy

• Wolf River Conservancy

• Let’s Innovate Through Education

• Habitat for Humanity

• Memphis Botanic Garden

• Mid-South Minority Council

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation

• Hattiloo Theatre

• New Memphis

• Mid-South Food Bank.

Omer Yusuf covers the Ford project in Haywood County, residential real estate, tourism and banking for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached via email Omer.Yusuf@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @OmerAYusuf.

Check out the Commercial Appeal article here