Bank of America this week hand-delivered nearly $300,000 in grants in just three hours to 18 local nonprofits working to increase educational and workforce development opportunities in the Phoenix community, according to a Tuesday announcement.

According to these nonprofits, a cumulative total of more than 225,000 low and moderate income people will receive job training, skills development, internship opportunities and employment placement as a result of these grants.

“Investing in our workforce is one of the many ways we are addressing issues fundamentally connected to economic growth,” said Benito Almanza, Arizona Market president, Bank of America. “Preparing the under-employed as well as the next generation of workers with the skills needed for careers in the region’s evolving workforce is one of the ways we are helping our community’s economy thrive. We share these nonprofits’ vision to help people obtain the skills necessary to lead financially stable and independent lives.”

Organizations receiving grants include: 1N10; Accion New Mexico; Aguila Youth Leadership Institute; Arizona Council on Economic Education; Arizona Women’s Education and Employment; Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley; Boys and Girls Club of Scottsdale; Dress for Success Phoenix; Fresh Start Women’s Foundation; I CAN- Improving Chandlers Area Neighborhoods; International Rescue Committee; Jewish Family & Children’s Service; Junior Achievement of Arizona; Mesa United Way; New Pathways for Youth; Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center; St. Joseph the Worker; and Year Up Arizona.

The nonprofits receiving support focus on connecting youth and adults, including the unemployed and underserved, to workforce opportunities and education and skills-building. Funding will help individuals living in low-income neighborhoods, who are disproportionately impacted by unemployment and other barriers to workforce participation, access opportunities that will advance long-term sustainable growth in the Valley of the Sun.

“This grant from Bank of America is vital to our organization’s ability to remain 100% privately funded, client focused and true to our mission of removing the barriers to employment for anyone in Maricopa County,” said St. Joseph the Worker Executive Director Brent Downs. “Through our programs bolstered by this funding, we are committed to ensuring that our neighbors that might be experiencing hardships can be readied to go to work today for the opportunity at a better tomorrow.”

These grants are just one part of Bank of America’s commitment to responsible growth as it works to improve the financial lives of individuals and families in Phoenix. Philanthropic and volunteer investments play a key role in this effort with bank employees donating more than 110,000 hours and almost $3 million in donations during 2015 to nonprofits throughout the Valley.