The KeyBank Foundation, a charitable arm of KeyCorp, is contributing $1.56 million to four nonprofit organizations in Cleveland, where the bank is headquartered. These grants reflect the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to fostering vibrant communities and creating enduring, meaningful change.
“As Cleveland’s hometown bank, we’re proud to support impactful initiatives that bring hope and opportunity to our neighbors,” said Kelly Lamirand, KeyBank Cleveland Market President. “We applaud the organizations receiving these grants and are excited to witness the positive outcomes they’ll bring to our community.”
The funding will back workforce readiness and financial literacy initiatives at the following organizations:
Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland Support from KeyBank will fund educational programs at the organization’s new Experiential Learning Center, aimed at students from grades 6 to 12. The curriculum, delivered in partnership with educators and volunteers, covers essential topics such as income, savings, investing, credit and debit, and budgeting. In addition, KeyBank will hold lead naming rights to the JA Finance Park simulation space and will have a storefront presence that highlights career paths and banking services.
“The Junior Achievement Experiential Learning Center and the KeyBank-sponsored JA Finance Park will revolutionize how young people learn critical life skills like budgeting and financial planning,” said Al DiFranco, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland. “We deeply appreciate the KeyBank Foundation’s investment, which allows us to build an engaging educational experience that enhances financial literacy in our region.”
Towards Employment Incorporated Funding will bolster the “Giving Clevelanders a Chance to Advance” campaign, which aims to help residents of Greater Cleveland overcome poverty and climb the economic ladder. The initiative offers skills training for high-demand jobs, long-term career coaching, supportive services, and employer connections.
“This investment ensures that 4,000 Clevelanders—60% of whom have a history with the justice system—gain the tools they need to pursue rewarding careers, while local businesses benefit from a motivated talent pool,” said Jill Rizika, President & CEO of Towards Employment. “With KeyBank’s longstanding partnership, we can enhance our career services by integrating behavioral health resources, financial education, and extended coaching.”
Building Hope in the City Support will go toward One World Kitchen, a program designed to equip participants with food safety and preparation skills, training in managing a commercial kitchen, and the basics of running a food-related business. Fifteen students graduated from the program’s inaugural cohort in February 2025.
“Refugees bring vital skills and rich diversity to our community,” said Brian Upton, executive director of Building Hope in the City. “Thanks to KeyBank’s generous support, this program will lead to the creation of immigrant- and minority-owned catering and food businesses, giving new Americans the means to support their families and contribute to our region’s cultural richness.”
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Funds will aid the Vivian von Gruenigen, MD STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Ledgewood, along with the organization’s “STEM Learning for All Students” initiative. These programs provide immersive, hands-on experiences in disciplines like robotics, engineering, and computer science.
“The STEM Center is the only Girl Scout facility in the U.S. located within a national park,” said Jane Christyson, CEO of Girl Scouts of North East Ohio. “The building’s theme—‘making the world a better place through nature-inspired design’—encourages students to see nature as the ultimate engineer. We are thankful to the KeyBank Foundation for their tremendous support in nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders.”
Mattie Jones-Hollowell, Corporate Responsibility Officer for KeyBank in Cleveland, added, “Each of these organizations makes a daily difference in people’s lives by helping them grow and thrive. As we celebrate our 200th anniversary, we’re honored to support their work and help open doors to financial knowledge and career success for people across Cleveland.”
Since 2017, KeyBank has invested over $2 billion in Northeast Ohio through initiatives supporting affordable housing, community development, small business growth, home lending, and impactful philanthropy.
