Bank of America Funding

The Bank of America provides support and funding for local community organizations through various philanthropy programs. Some relevant examples for Heritage Organizations in L.A. County would be...

Volunteer Grants:
Bank of America associates volunteer thousands of hours in our neighborhoods each year. In fact, more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations benefit from their associates’ dedication each year. To honor those who give their time and service to causes important to them, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations (up to $500 per person each calendar year), donated in associates’ names.

Matching Gifts
Dollar-for-dollar, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation matches up to $5,000 per person each calendar year. (There are certain guidelines that do apply.)

Local Grants
Bank of America’s local grant making activities can — and do — vary, depending on what your local community needs. Their local market presidents and their teams develop relationships with other community leaders to determine the best use of philanthropic dollars in each community. The majority of their local grant making programs has no deadline; applications are reviewed throughout the year at regularly scheduled local market leadership meetings.

Neighborhood Excellence Initiative:
Bank of America's signature philanthropic program, the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative recognizes, nurtures, and rewards community-based organizations, local heroes and student leaders working to improve their communities. They focus on areas such as: education, community development/neighborhood preservation, arts and culture, and health and human services. In order to address critical neighborhood needs, they work with local community leaders to identify economic and social priorities, and the visionaries working to sustain, strengthen and grow our communities. Together, they strive to can create healthy, vibrant neighborhoods where everyone can pursue their dreams.

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Build a relationship with your local branch and regional leadership team to cultivate a funding source. Invite them to your site and programs, and/or offer the resources you have to them and their branch and clients. Create a mutually beneficial relationship.

And, as a reference point in terms of Bank of America's funding priorities, here is a sample for Arts & Culture...

The following areas should be considered for funding under the Arts and Culture Focus Area:
- Growth and expansion plans for expanding services either geographically or with content, creating jobs, increasing outreach abilities and visitor traffic and revenue
- Arts education programs or through community partners and/or schools for people of all ages and economic means
- Access programs that make the arts more convenient or less expensive to enjoy and learn from for: the general public, school children, low- and moderate-income populations, and the elderly
- Preserving materials, records, or institutions themselves that serve the public and contribute to the character and historical foundation of a community
-Supporting access to special arts-related events that serve the public or the community generally and enhance community involvement and assimilation
- Arts and culture has a very broad meaning. Arts institutions may focus their offerings and education on the visual arts, performing arts, architecture, or literature.
- Programs and exhibitions connected to environmental initiatives