The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently announced $144,000 in grants to 15 local nonprofits focused on providing food, shelter and other support services to those struggling with poverty and homelessness in the Hampton Roads area. These grants are part of the bank’s broader philanthropic investment in helping individuals and families lead stronger financial lives.

“According to a recent study conducted by The Planning Council, more than 11 percent of Hampton Roads residents live below the poverty line, and nearly 21,000 of those residents are children,” said Charlie Henderson, Hampton Roads market president, Bank of America. “These local nonprofits are working to connect vulnerable families to the transformative services and resources they need to become self-sufficient and lead financially stable lives.”

One nonprofit receiving funding is the United Way of South Hampton Roads, which will use the grant to expand its United for Children program. This collective impact is committed to bringing partners together to support children living in extreme poverty with basic needs and interventions to ensure they graduate career and college ready. The grant will allow the United Way to expand its program by addressing health issues and providing eyeglasses, clothing and food to an additional 2,000 children in order to help them succeed in school.

“Bank of America is a committed United Way partner that understands that all children deserve to thrive,” said Carol McCormack, president and chief executive officer of United Way of South Hampton Roads. “Providing services to students while they are young pays big dividends because they stay in school and have expanded opportunities for a better life.”

Other organizations receiving grants include: Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, DePaul Health Foundation, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, ForKids’ Haven House Emergency Shelter, Hands Across Mathews Interfaith Service Council, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, Samaritan House, The Children’s Center, The Salvation Army, Union Mission Ministries, United Way of Greater Williamsburg, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, Virginia Supportive Housing and YWCA of South Hampton Roads.

These grants build on years of philanthropic and employee volunteer support in Hampton Roads as part of a larger effort to help individuals and families build better money habits and find pathways out of poverty.