Innovative enterprise-wide initiatives are making a difference in our communities.
In 2004, Bank of America became the first company ever to be designated the Official Bank of Baseball—a unique relationship with Major League, Minor League and Little League Baseball that connects the bank with the nation’s passion for the sport and gives us deep connections in our local markets.
In 2004 we became the first company ever to be designated the Official Bank of Baseball. This unique relationship includes agreements with Major League, Minor League and Little League Baseball, connecting the bank with the nation’s passion for this all-American sport and expressing our shared belief in individual performance, teamwork and higher standards. Our partnership with baseball gives us a deep connection with each of our local markets, from the big league ballparks to the sandlots where kids first learn the game.
Bank of America already sponsors nine Major League Baseball clubs and 11 Minor League teams. Our agreement with Minor League Baseball includes a “Bank of America Day” to be held simultaneously in about 80 stadiums where we have a market presence. Our sponsorship of Little League Baseball—the largest youth sports organization in the world, with 2.7 million participants—includes on-site presence at state and regional tournaments, the Little League World Series and other promotional programs.
Consistent with our company’s values and the role we have played in our nation’s history, we launched Democracy Plaza at Rockefeller Center in New York City in the days leading up to the 2004 national election. Focusing on the traditions of citizenship, democracy and the electoral process, the exhibit served as the backdrop for Election Day broadcasting on the NBC network, providing public awareness of our support for the communities, infrastructure, traditions and industries that keep America strong.
Through our volunteer network, Team Bank of America, 100,000 associates provided 700,000 volunteer hours to 3,500 nonprofit organizations within our communities. Because Bank of America allows full-time associates to volunteer up to two hours per week of company time to such activities, many other associates also made significant contributions of their time to meet community needs in 2004.
With one of the largest philanthropic budgets of any corporation in the nation, our charitable investments in 2004 totaled $108 million. We have set a philanthropic goal of $1.5 billion over the next 10 years.
