Bank of America has named Communities in Schools of South Carolina (CISSC) as its 2025 Neighborhood Builder® for its efforts in collaboration with schools and families to provide on-site student support and connections to resources that remove barriers to education, empowering students to stay in school and achieve self-sufficiency and stability. The award will help CISSC to grow its Lowcountry mentorship program with new corporate partners and expand the program into two schools in Beaufort County School District.
Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development, while providing unique multiyear flexible grant funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in communities nationwide.
As a Neighborhood Builder, Communities in Schools of South Carolina is awarded a $50,000 grant over two years, leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader and the opportunity to connect with nonprofits in a peer network. Since the program’s inception, seven nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in the Lowcountry, with the bank investing more than $350,000 in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits.
“Our local nonprofits are crucial to addressing local challenges across the Lowcountry," said Mark Munn, president, Bank of America Charleston-Hilton Head. “Through flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training, the Neighborhood Builders program helps nonprofits like Communities in Schools address needs and promote economic opportunity. In this case, our focus is on student support as they build skills through mentorship and prepare for long-term economic success.”
Communities in Schools works in collaboration with 45 schools serving low-income families across South Carolina to provide on-site student support and connect families to resources that remove barriers to education and ensure students have the essential resources they need to thrive – from nourishing meals to technological tools, emotional guidance, and beyond. CISSC embeds full-time student support staff in the schools to connect students to caring adults and community resources that help students overcome challenges and focus on learning.
This new grant funding will enhance CISSC’s Lowcountry career-focused mentor program through new corporate partnerships that offer students life skills, grow community networks, and empower students to improve attendance, behavior, and academics to successfully pursue their postgraduation goals. The award will also help CISSC expand and add new schools to its portfolio through a brand-new partnership that will serve students in two Beaufort County public schools.
“We are deeply honored to receive Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders award, which affirms the impact Communities In Schools of South Carolina is making across our state. This investment will strengthen our ability to build relationships and expand the resources needed to reach more students and schools. It also provides critical leadership development that will help us grow strategically and sustain our work long-term,” said Jamie Cooper, Communities In Schools of South Carolina CEO & President. “Additionally, the funding supports our continued expansion into communities where support is needed most. We are grateful for Bank of America’s confidence in our mission and their partnership in helping students reach their full potential.”
Neighborhood Builders is part of the bank’s longstanding efforts to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic opportunity. Since 2004, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program has invested more than $346 million in communities across the U.S. and trained more than 4,000 leaders at nearly 2,000 U.S. nonprofits.