KeyBank's $599 Million Commitment: Driving Affordable Housing, Community Development, and Philanthropy in Central New York
The KeyBank Foundation is dedicating a total of $1 million to various non-profit organizations in Central New York to bolster workforce development and community initiatives. These contributions form part of KeyBank's broader commitment to invest $40 billion in the communities it serves, emphasizing support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President, expressed pride in assisting transformative organizations within the communities they serve. He noted that these investments will fortify the region, aligning with KeyBank's mission to foster thriving communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and prosper.
Among the recipients of the funding is RISE (Refugee & Immigrant Self Empowerment, Inc.), which will receive $450,000. This financial support from the KeyBank Foundation will aid RISE's Adult and Youth Workforce Development Programs. The youth involved in this initiative will participate in career exploration and development services, encompassing resume building, interview skill development, identification of career goals/pathways, and understanding the hiring process. Employment case managers will assist youth seeking summer or afterschool employment by connecting them with employers eager to hire from the refugee and immigrant community.
For adult members of the refugee and immigrant populations, strong partnerships with local employers will facilitate placement in stable and well-paying jobs aligned with their chosen career paths. Employment case managers will ensure that clients are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for success, providing support in interview preparation, application submission, and mediating on behalf of RISE clients during employer interactions. Post-placement, staff will maintain connections to ensure the continued strength of the relationship between employee and employer.
The anticipated outcomes of this project include youth with clearly defined goals and identified career paths, as well as self-sufficient adults contributing to the region's economic prosperity while supporting themselves and their families.
Funds will be allocated to support the expansion of operations aimed at enhancing tenant services. A Tiny Home for Good places significant emphasis on care management, considering it a crucial program for ensuring the enduring stability of their previously homeless tenants in their housing.
In the upcoming year, A Tiny Home for Good envisions accommodating at least 44 individuals, marking a notable increase of 14 people compared to their current occupancy—a remarkable growth within a single year for the community. For 2025, they project the welcoming of an additional 10-15 people, nearing a total of 60 tenants. The organization aims to retain or successfully transition 93% or more of its tenants to other stable housing.
Throughout the grant period, various services, interventions, and supports will be provided, encompassing emergency repairs, pest control, property updates, transportation, cleaning assistance, appointment scheduling, benefit applications, general check-ins, response to lockouts, and neighbor intervention as necessary.
Beyond these developments, KeyBank has recently invested a total of $400,000 in several local organizations and programs, including but not limited to:
Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President, expressed pride in assisting transformative organizations within the communities they serve. He noted that these investments will fortify the region, aligning with KeyBank's mission to foster thriving communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and prosper.
Among the recipients of the funding is RISE (Refugee & Immigrant Self Empowerment, Inc.), which will receive $450,000. This financial support from the KeyBank Foundation will aid RISE's Adult and Youth Workforce Development Programs. The youth involved in this initiative will participate in career exploration and development services, encompassing resume building, interview skill development, identification of career goals/pathways, and understanding the hiring process. Employment case managers will assist youth seeking summer or afterschool employment by connecting them with employers eager to hire from the refugee and immigrant community.
For adult members of the refugee and immigrant populations, strong partnerships with local employers will facilitate placement in stable and well-paying jobs aligned with their chosen career paths. Employment case managers will ensure that clients are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for success, providing support in interview preparation, application submission, and mediating on behalf of RISE clients during employer interactions. Post-placement, staff will maintain connections to ensure the continued strength of the relationship between employee and employer.
The anticipated outcomes of this project include youth with clearly defined goals and identified career paths, as well as self-sufficient adults contributing to the region's economic prosperity while supporting themselves and their families.
Funds will be allocated to support the expansion of operations aimed at enhancing tenant services. A Tiny Home for Good places significant emphasis on care management, considering it a crucial program for ensuring the enduring stability of their previously homeless tenants in their housing.
In the upcoming year, A Tiny Home for Good envisions accommodating at least 44 individuals, marking a notable increase of 14 people compared to their current occupancy—a remarkable growth within a single year for the community. For 2025, they project the welcoming of an additional 10-15 people, nearing a total of 60 tenants. The organization aims to retain or successfully transition 93% or more of its tenants to other stable housing.
Throughout the grant period, various services, interventions, and supports will be provided, encompassing emergency repairs, pest control, property updates, transportation, cleaning assistance, appointment scheduling, benefit applications, general check-ins, response to lockouts, and neighbor intervention as necessary.
Beyond these developments, KeyBank has recently invested a total of $400,000 in several local organizations and programs, including but not limited to:
- Arc of Oneida
- Baltimore Woods
- Blueprint15
- Center of Hope International
- Central New York Community Foundation
- Family & Children’s Services
- Feed Our Vets – Watertown
- Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services
- Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network
- OCC Foundation
- On Point for College, Inc.
- Rome YMCA
- PEACE, Inc.
- Rural Preservation Company of Clinton County
- Salvation Army
- STACK Project
- SUNY Jefferson County Foundation
- United Way of the Adirondack Region
- Utica Center for Development
- Utica Monday Nite
- Watertown Urban Mission
- YMCA of Central New York
- Your NuHorizons
“Building inclusive, equitable communities and eco-systems is central to the work all of these organizations do every day in Central New York,“ said Tamika Otis, Corporate Responsibility Officer for KeyBank in Central New York. “We are honored to stand with and support them in broadening their reach by serving and impacting even more people in our region.”
Since 2017, KeyBank has honored its community pledges by contributing over $599 million in Central New York. This support extends to affordable housing and community development initiatives, small business and home lending targeted at low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, as well as impactful philanthropic endeavors.
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