In the Spotlight

Nov. 12, 2025

WICHITA, KANSAS – Bank of America has named Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas (WA) as its 2025 Neighborhood Builder® for its work in building career pathways for Wichita residents.

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, Workforce Alliance (WA) is awarded a $50,000 grant over two years, leadership training for the executive director as an emerging leader and the opportunity to connect with nonprofits in a peer network. Since the program’s inception, 7 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Wichita, with the bank investing more than $350,000 in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits.  

“Our local nonprofits are crucial to addressing local challenges in Wichita," said Shawn Lancelot, president, Bank of America Wichita. “Through flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training, the Neighborhood Builders program helps nonprofits address critical needs and promote economic opportunity for the individuals and families in our communities.” 

WA is a long-standing partner of Bank of America Wichita, having received previous grants. Their mission of growing the regional economy through a skilled workforce is seen through their multitude of career readiness services. This new grant funding will be used to support income creation through workforce development. WA will connect Wichita residents to employers, while offering access to educational workshops for pre-employment preparation. These workshops will include financial and digital literacy, career coaching, as well as resume and job searching assistance.

“The Workforce Alliance is honored to receive the Neighborhood Builders grant from Bank of America. This support empowers us to deepen our work in Wichita, strengthen opportunities for the local workforce, and accelerate progress in the community. With this investment, the Workforce Alliance will expand capacity, enhance leadership development, and drive results that uplift individuals, families and businesses across the community. We’re grateful for the partnership and excited about what we can achieve together,” said Keith Lawing, President & CEO, Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas.  

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.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas

The Workforce Alliance is the Local Workforce Development Board, Administrative Entity and Program Administrator for US Department of Labor Education and Training programs in Local Area IV of Kansas, operating the KANSASWORKS Workforce Centers - South Central Kansas across Butler, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Sedgwick and Sumner counties. It is a proud partner of the America’s Job Center Network and KANSASWORKS.com. For additional information on the Workforce Alliance please visit workforce-ks.com.

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