As leaders across the country push to improve education and make tomorrow's generation more competitive globally, another nonprofit financial management team has announced additional grants to help America's students succeed.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded Charlotte-based nonprofits that work to improve regional high school graduation rates and lessen the educational achievement gap with $1 million in grants.

Both Teach for America, which places high-achieving teachers in needy school districs, and Freedom School Partners, which operates year-round educational programs for at-risk students and impoverished families, were given $200,000 in unrestricted funds.

"Like many districts across the country, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have faced many challenges," said Charles Bowman, North Carolina- and Charlotte-market president for Bank of America. "Quality education lays the groundwork toward stable employment and career development and is essential to ensuring economic and social vibrancy in Charlotte."

The foundation is concerned with improving all aspects of young people's lives, including their health. Recently, the bank also donated $500,000 to support the Chicago Youth Fitness Initiative - an after-school program that runs fitness activities.