Truist Makes $1.5 Million Grant to The American College of Financial Services

This commitment marks the company’s second significant contribution in support of The College’s efforts to expand its near century of financial education expertise to additional audiences, so that all segments of society can prosper. 

“Truist’s generous support is empowering innovative initiatives designed to advance financial education equity, leadership development, and new career pathways for underserved communities," said George Nichols III, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. "The College is tremendously grateful to Truist for their continued partnership as we both work to advance a shared mission to diversify the financial services industry.” 

The grant funds will help expand the audiences that The College currently serves by democratizing financial education, ensuring inclusive access to financial services, and promoting diversity and retention in the profession. 

“In recognition of Truist Insurance Holding’s 100th anniversary, the Truist Charitable Fund grant will help The American College of Financial Services support programming to build career pathways and promote educational equity and leadership development,” said John Howard, chairman and CEO of Truist Insurance Holdings and chairman of the board of The College. “These goals tie directly to our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities, while expanding financial services programs so that all segments of society can prosper.” 

In April 2022, Truist Foundation made a $500,000 grant to support the development and a pilot cohort of the Black Executive Leadership Program – tying back to pillar three of The College Center of Excellence the American Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality®’s Four Steps Forward initiative focusing on an executive leadership program for up-and-coming Black leaders. 

Since launching the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality® in August 2020, over $13 million in corporate, foundation and individual commitments have been made to support Four Steps Forward—the Center’s signature initiative to promote upward mobility and wealth building in Black communities. This funding has helped build the Center’s capacity and launch important initiatives, including: 

• Black Executive Leadership Program – The carefully crafted, culturally-relevant, and customized program is aimed at preparing the next generation of Black leaders to move from middle management into senior management and executive roles, including corporate Board service 
• Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth – A first-of-its-kind financial education program from The College delivered to the HBCU community 
• Black Women, Trust, and the Financial Services Industry Study – The Center’s first research project focused on a critical community—Black women. The study paints a holistic picture of Black women’s perception of financial services and money, their wants and needs, and their role in the household and the community 

Learn more about the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality® and our committed partners at Equality.TheAmericanCollege.edu. 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES 

Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College’s faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

ABOUT TRUIST CHARITABLE FUND 

The Truist Charitable Fund is a donor-advised fund advised by Truist and administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. 

ABOUT TRUIST 

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.