The KeyBank Foundation announced on Wednesday that the organization is donating $150,000 to help Move to Prosper’s (MTP) mission with providing single woman families with housing opportunities around Columbus. MTP has partnered with KeyBank to support the expansion of the empower 100 project. This program creates residential and financial stability by providing rental support, life coaching, and education resources.
“Our approach works, and we are so grateful to KeyBank for investing deeply in our plans to serve more families with this unique approach”, said MTP co-founder and President Amy Klaben. “Our pilot families will graduate this May and over the course of the program, they’ve seen their incomes rise by an average 58%, or $17,000.”
This grant will impact 100 families with young children for the next three years, providing them housing in high opportunity neighborhoods. This will bring better employment opportunities, better schools, and neighborhood diversity. About 64% of low income renters pay more than 30% of their income to rent.
“KeyBank joins Move to Prosper in the belief that everyone in our community should have safe and affordable housing.” said KeyBank’s Central Ohio Market President, Lara DeLeone. “We are pleased to partner with MTP and its community partners on the Empower 100 program as an innovative new model to lift up at-risk families throughout Columbus.”
KeyBank previously supported MTP’s 10-family pilot program with a grant in 2018. Launching the program with 16 cohort families in 2022, the program will continue by launching with five more 16-family cohorts in 2023 and 2024. Families will be added to the program as new funds are raised.
“The Move to Prosper program provides that extra lift for families: trusted coaches, information that supports their goals for their families, and safe and highly resourced neighborhoods,” stated MTP co-founder Rachel Kleit. “KeyBank is showing that partnership with our families, and we are grateful for this leadership gift.”
For more information visit www.movetoprosper.org