The SunTrust Foundation announced it awarded $16.9 million in grants in 2017 to more than 1,400 educational institutions and nonprofits to help people get access to the tools and resources they need to enhance their financial well-being.  

"The SunTrust Foundation strategically partners with organizations that implement programs designed to help people reach financial confidence," said David Fuller, president of the SunTrust Foundation. "By focusing our giving on efforts that promote financial education and counseling, entrepreneurship and career readiness skills, we can further our purpose and make more of an impact on people's lives."

The grants also helped more than 300,000 people take steps to improve their financial stability. Since its inception in 2008, the SunTrust Foundation has provided grants totaling more than $128 million to nonprofit organizations focused on financial education, financial counseling, career development/workforce readiness, small business/entrepreneurship and other community grants.

Major 2017 recipients included:

• Autism Speaks to introduce an app for its Financial Planning Toolkit for families to plan for the long-term financial needs of children with special needs, to fund financial planning workshops, and to add a member to its specially-trained Autism Response Team.

• Grameen America to help female entrepreneurs in Charlotte, NC, build small businesses to create better lives for their families.

• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) to expand "The Law and Your Community" program to Baltimore, Richmond and Atlanta to connect the people in these communities with local law enforcement and build trust, knowledge and confidence. 

• Clearpoint's Hispanic Centers for Financial Excellence to provide free financial education, counseling, and tools for low- to moderate-income families in Norcross, Ga., and Miami.

• Heart of Florida United Way to fund "Destination Graduation" at Seminole State College, a program designed to connect low-income students at risk of dropping out of school for non-academic reasons to resources needed to stay in school.

• American Red Cross to assist in multiple disaster relief efforts including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Separately, SunTrust Bank recently announced an additional commitment of $50 million in grants to support national and local efforts to advance financial well-being.

In 2017, the SunTrust Foundation also provided grants of $2.8 million to United Way organizations. During the annual giving campaign, SunTrust Bank teammates and retirees donated an additional $6.7 million to United Way. SunTrust Bank is a United Way Global Corporate Leader and has the highest level of Tocqueville giving in Atlanta.