Grant goes to Inland group that helps small businesses

The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center has received a grant from the Opus Foundation, the charity arm of Opus Bank.

The nonprofit development center, which provides financing and advice to small businesses in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, was one of 20 charities in California, Arizona and Washington to receive a grant, according to a statement.

Money is given to charitable organizations that focus on affordable housing, education, financial literacy, community health services, work readiness and the arts. They are intended to strengthen the communities Opus Bank serves.

Size of the grants was not released.

Irvine-based Opus Bank is a state-chartered commercial bank with in estimated $7.4 billion in assets and $6.1 billion worth of deposits. It established its charitable  foundation eight years ago, according to the statement.

Officials with the foundation and the development center could not be reached for comment.