Bank of America, IBN Corporation, Morgan Stanley and Accenture have committed financial and in-kind support totaling $8.5 million to the Brave of Heart Fund, established to provide financial and emotional support to the surviving family members of frontline health care workers and volunteers who lose their lives in the COVID-19 fight. Bank of America has contributed $5 million to the fund, with Morgan Stanley contributing $1 million and Accenture committing $500,000. The fund has also received contributions from individuals, family foundations and other corporations, totaling an additional $700,000.

The Brave of Heart Fund was co-founded by the Foundations of New York Life and Cigna, industry-leading financial and health service organizations, alongside charitable partner, E4E Relief. The Foundations of New York Life and Cigna each seeded the Brave of Heart Fund with $25 million, with the goal of growing it to $100 million through support from other corporations and individuals. New York Life Foundation is also matching gifts from individuals, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25 million.

“Health care workers are on the front lines in communities across the nation, providing critical care during this health and humanitarian crisis,” said Anne Finucane, vice chairman of Bank of America. “As we collectively navigate challenges brought on by the coronavirus, we can honor their dedication by meeting some of the immediate financial needs of their surviving family members.”

This $5 million gift from Bank of America builds upon its continued charitable response to the COVID-19 crisis. The bank has committed $100 million of philanthropic support – on top of their annual commitment of $250 million – to help tackle pressing health and humanitarian issues facing those most vulnerable, such as food insecurity, medical response and access to education. In addition to supporting the Brave of Heart Fund, Bank of America has partnered with E4E Relief for nearly eight years to offer relief grants to employees during disasters and hardships, including most recently serving those impacted during this pandemic.

“We offer our deepest thanks to Bank of America, IBM Corporation, Morgan Stanley and Accenture for their generous contributions to the Brave of Heart Fund,” said Holly Welch Stubbing, president and CEO of E4E Relief. “It’s inspiring to see the robust response from our corporate community to support fallen health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning with the generosity and foresight of New York Life and Cigna to launch this vital effort.”

The Brave of Heart Fund is now accepting applications for charitable grants to support eligible family members of frontline health care workers and volunteers who lose their lives to COVID-19 while caring for others. The fund will provide impacted families initial grants of $15,000 per family to meet immediate expenses, and will provide up to an additional $60,000 per family for long-term needs, such as medical care and counseling, housing, food, transportation and education.

E4E Relief is a wholly owned subsidiary of Foundation For The Carolinas, a Charlotte-based community foundation and public charity. To learn more or donate, or for eligible parties to apply for a grant, visit www.braveofheartfund.com or call 855.334.7932. Grant eligibility and amounts will be determined by E4E Relief and will depend on a variety of factors, including financial need and overall funding.

Source: https://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/press-releases/community-development/brave-heart-fund-draws-85-million-corporate-support