Bank of America Grants Fund Workforce, Housing Programs

Bank of America is contributing a total of $400,000 in grants to two Hartford-area nonprofits working to promote economic opportunity for residents.  

The grants are part of the bank’s Neighborhood Builders program, which helps deploy capital in communities across the country.

Bank of America leaders chose Community Partners in Action and reSET as the 2022 awardees. Both organizations share a commitment to reduce workforce barriers and give residents meaningful employment.

CPA and reSET’s success will result in individuals discovering new pathways in life and being financially independent, and their efforts will resonate in our community.

Bank of America’s Joe Gianni

The bank will provide each organization with a $200,000 grant over two years, as well as leadership training on various topics, including increasing financial stability and human capital management.

“Community Partners in Action and reSET are two organizations whose success will result in individuals discovering new pathways in life and being financially independent, and their efforts will resonate in our community far beyond the next two years,” Bank of America of Greater Hartford president Joe Gianni said.

Bank of America has awarded $6.2 million to more than 62 Connecticut nonprofits since 2004. 

“Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program is unique in addressing local organizations’ short-term needs as well as long-term sustainability in order to create lasting change in communities,” Gianni said.

Program Development

Aside from the leadership training for the organizations’ executive directors and emerging leaders, reSET and Community Partners in Action will use the funds to expand programming. 

Community Partners in Action supports adults in their transition from the criminal justice system to their community and the workforce. 

CPA executive director Beth Hines said housing is among one of the greatest challenges, adding that the grant will help the nonprofit grow its housing referral services.

“Creating safe, equitable, and accessible shelter for those members of the Greater Hartford community returning home from prison is vital to our mission,” Hines said.  

“Creating safe, equitable, and accessible shelter for those members of the Greater Hartford community returning home from prison is vital to our mission.”

CPA’s Beth Hines

ReSET, an organization that supports social enterprise startups through programming, will use the funding to support staffing needs as it expands programming.

ReSET executive director Sarah Bodley said the organization is also adding more data analysis to help inform programs. 

“ReSET believes in using business as a catalyst for positive change and, ultimately, long-term job creation in the Greater Hartford community,” she said.

“As part of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program, we look forward to strengthening our ability to help our entrepreneurs and their businesses solve real-world issues through social enterprise.”