Tag: 3BL

LOUISVILLE, Ky., October 20, 2023 /3BL/ – Fifth Third is proud to team up with New Directions Repair Affair program by funding free home renovations for elderly and disabled low-income homeowners in West Louisville’s Russell neighborhood.

Fifth Third has contributed over $120,000 in additional money in 2023 to help Repair Affair complete at least 15 high skill restorations, including the installation of wheelchair ramps, roofs, windows, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.

“Fifth Third Bank’s generosity over the years has made such a difference for so many of the senior homeowners in need across our community,” said New Directions CEO Lori Flanery. “We’re grateful for their continuing support and commitment to the Russell neighborhood, to this program, and the important assistance we are able to provide.”

Marking its 30th anniversary this year, Repair Affair has improved 4,569 homes across Jefferson, Clark, and Floyd counties with assistance from paid contractors and 46,502 volunteers.

“Fifth Third is excited to support the Repair Affair program, especially as part of the Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood program,” said Kentucky Regional President Kim Halbauer. “The program provides critical home repairs that allow owners to age in place and build generational wealth.”

Repair Affair works with Russell: A Place of Promise to identify homeowners who meet these qualifications:

Be 55 or over or certified disabledHave income 50% or below the area median incomeOwn and live in their home

Want to get involved? Here are two ways: Make a donation | Sign-up to volunteer 
 

About Fifth Third 
Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.

About New Directions Housing Corporation 
A nonprofit community development corporation, New Directions creates and sustains affordable housing in partnership with residents and stakeholders. With more than 900 affordable rental units and the region’s largest program offering home repairs and rehabilitation to low-income homeowners, New Directions is a member of both NeighborWorks America and Metro United Way. New Directions visit www.ndhc.org/.

###

MEDIA CONTACT 
Tiffani Jett 
Vice President, Regional Marketing 
502-562-5241 | Tiffani.Jett@53.com

A nonprofit in El Paso, Texas, that provides special assistance to those experiencing homelessness recently hosted volunteers from Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso refinery.The employee volunteers packed 300 food bags at the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief, which distributes food to people in need five days a week.This effort was an outgrowth of monthly, drive-through food distributions on refinery property that employees support in coordination with the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank.

Products Control Manager Greg Boyer describes fellow employees at Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso, Texas, refinery as “inspired” by the refinery’s long track record of giving, adding that volunteering is never about “checking a box.” Fittingly, a recent day of team building for his department included 20 employees packing roughly 300 bags of food at the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief.

“There’s a general desire to serve the community around us,” Boyer said. “You’ll never see somebody begrudgingly participating. What you’ll see, instead, are team members having friendly competitions to see who can do more.”

The Kelly Center distributes food in El Paso five days a week. The bags of food the employees prepared contained non-perishable food items to better accommodate the homeless population and other people in need who may not have access to adequate refrigeration and storage.

“The response from the volunteers was that they felt they made an impact,” said Boyer. “A lot of the feedback afterwards included questions like, ‘How can I help more?’”

This effort was an outgrowth of the refinery’s ongoing initiative to address food insecurity in El Paso. The site is in its third consecutive year of conducting monthly, drive-through food distributions on refinery property in coordination with the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH) Food Bank. Employee volunteers unpack, sort and hand out food on the last Friday of every month, distributing approximately 450,000 pounds in 2022 alone. 

“Whether it’s department team building, our monthly food distributions or other community activities, it’s more than just a call to action. The positive attitude of employees is infectious, and the inspiration to serve builds on itself,” Boyer said.

A nonprofit in El Paso, Texas, that provides special assistance to those experiencing homelessness recently hosted volunteers from Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso refinery.The employee volunteers packed 300 food bags at the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief, which distributes food to people in need five days a week.This effort was an outgrowth of monthly, drive-through food distributions on refinery property that employees support in coordination with the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank.

Products Control Manager Greg Boyer describes fellow employees at Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso, Texas, refinery as “inspired” by the refinery’s long track record of giving, adding that volunteering is never about “checking a box.” Fittingly, a recent day of team building for his department included 20 employees packing roughly 300 bags of food at the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief.

“There’s a general desire to serve the community around us,” Boyer said. “You’ll never see somebody begrudgingly participating. What you’ll see, instead, are team members having friendly competitions to see who can do more.”

The Kelly Center distributes food in El Paso five days a week. The bags of food the employees prepared contained non-perishable food items to better accommodate the homeless population and other people in need who may not have access to adequate refrigeration and storage.

“The response from the volunteers was that they felt they made an impact,” said Boyer. “A lot of the feedback afterwards included questions like, ‘How can I help more?’”

This effort was an outgrowth of the refinery’s ongoing initiative to address food insecurity in El Paso. The site is in its third consecutive year of conducting monthly, drive-through food distributions on refinery property in coordination with the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH) Food Bank. Employee volunteers unpack, sort and hand out food on the last Friday of every month, distributing approximately 450,000 pounds in 2022 alone. 

“Whether it’s department team building, our monthly food distributions or other community activities, it’s more than just a call to action. The positive attitude of employees is infectious, and the inspiration to serve builds on itself,” Boyer said.

Sustainably managed forests combat climate change through carbon removal. Trees absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and store it in growth in the branches, trunk, needles, and roots, and respire oxygen. On a landscape scale, managed forests are considered carbon sinks, meaning they reduce the net amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as they grow.

Active forest management enhances carbon removal from the atmosphere compared to unmanaged forests. As forests mature, the rate of carbon sequestration slows, and natural tree mortality increases. Working forests are managed to maintain optimum tree density and spacing, resulting in a vigorously growing forest that minimizes the risk of catastrophic losses. Unmanaged forests increase the chance of carbon losses from disturbances such as fire, insects, disease infestations, or decay.

Forest management concentrates growth on harvestable crop trees for use in solid wood products, which maximizes the amount of forest carbon that is captured and stored in long-lived wood products. Harvesting mature trees and replanting increases the rate of carbon uptake, as well as generating wood for lumber and other wood products. 

Sustainably managed forests combat climate change through carbon removal. Trees absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and store it in growth in the branches, trunk, needles, and roots, and respire oxygen. On a landscape scale, managed forests are considered carbon sinks, meaning they reduce the net amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as they grow.

Active forest management enhances carbon removal from the atmosphere compared to unmanaged forests. As forests mature, the rate of carbon sequestration slows, and natural tree mortality increases. Working forests are managed to maintain optimum tree density and spacing, resulting in a vigorously growing forest that minimizes the risk of catastrophic losses. Unmanaged forests increase the chance of carbon losses from disturbances such as fire, insects, disease infestations, or decay.

Forest management concentrates growth on harvestable crop trees for use in solid wood products, which maximizes the amount of forest carbon that is captured and stored in long-lived wood products. Harvesting mature trees and replanting increases the rate of carbon uptake, as well as generating wood for lumber and other wood products. 

BALTIMORE, October 20, 2023 /3BL/ – On October 20, Groundswell, in partnership with the City of Refuge in Baltimore, the Maryland Energy Administration, the City of Baltimore Office of Sustainability, and SunCatch Energy celebrated the first resilience hub in Maryland that will allow a nonprofit to receive direct benefits of a solar + storage project — and pass those benefits on to the community they serve.

The 110 kW solar installation for the Baltimore City Community Resiliency Hub at the City of Refuge will utilize 372 kWh of battery storage to provide community members with a location where they can safely gather in the aftermath of an emergency or severe weather event to allow the community to recover safely and effectively.

“The idea of solar energy and the fact that we’ll have ownership of the system is critical because every bit of that solar energy is saving dollars that we would otherwise pay,” said Pastor Billy Humphrey, the Executive Director of the City of Refuge in Baltimore. “Not only are we increasing the capacity of our operational budget to continue to do good work and expand the work. We’re also contributing to the larger environment.”

Groundswell works with community partners to build resilience hubs at centralized, trusted community locations where community members can access reliable power for their essential devices, continue to receive information as emergency situations develop, and store medications sensitive to temperature when their neighborhoods face natural hazard impacts and emergency situations.

“Baltimore is vulnerable to many natural hazards that can create additional obstacles for already burdened communities,” said Aubrey Germ, Climate and Resilience Planner for the City of Baltimore Office of Sustainability. “Connecting incredible community partners like City of Refuge to capacity-building resources like solar + storage is critical for building resilience in Brooklyn and other high-risk neighborhoods across the city. This project will provide cost savings and continuity of operations for City of Refuge in support of their mission to provide essential resources for vulnerable residents when they need them most.” 
While hubs like the one at the City of Refuge are an essential precaution against the effects of climate change that are already being felt across the country and around the world, thanks to the introduction of the direct pay provision in the IRA, these installations will support nonprofits in their ongoing work, allowing them to serve more people.

“The new direct pay option means that City of Refuge will own that project themselves, the full value of the solar tax credit will be paid directly to them,” said Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell. “And the resulting long-term electricity bill savings means City of Refuge will have more money for the mission to support the health, food, housing, and job-training programs they deliver to their neighbors in Baltimore.”

“Resiliency Hubs provide a lifeline of reliable electrical energy during the first few hours and days of an electrical grid outage, allowing first responders to focus on restoration of critical infrastructure,” said David Comis, Energy Program Manager at the Maryland Energy Administration. “Providing critical refrigeration of temperature sensitive medication, energy to recharge cell phones, lighting, heating and cooling, hubs help maintain the health and safety of neighborhood residents. Resiliency hubs are targeted for neighborhoods where residents are unlikely to have sufficient free capital to install alternative or backup energy sources on their own.”

This Community Resiliency Hub was funded through a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration, and Rochdale Capital provided additional financing.

“As a designated Resiliency Hub, City of Refuge plays a vital role in providing community members an option for power and temporary relief in the event of a natural disaster or emergency,” said Kladé Hare Nersasian, Chief Loan Officer at Rochdale Capital. “Rochdale Capital is proud to support the organization in its efforts to install solar panels at its headquarters, via a direct ownership model, as well as construct a new roof and add battery storage.”

“We aim to support organizations that are working to improve resilience in under-resourced communities and align with the evolving needs of the renewable energy landscape,” said Adaora Ifebigh, Senior Director of Impact at Sol Systems. “Together, we are ensuring that frontline communities have the resources they need to respond and recover from extreme weather events and energy disruptions.”

Sol Systems provided funding support for the project.

“We’re working to get solar in every community in this country,” said Brad Boston, President of SunCatch Energy, a fourth-generation, Black-owned business with a track record of successful solar installations in the District and Maryland which oversaw the engineering, procurement, and construction for this project. “It is a pleasure to be back out here with another solar project in a community that doesn’t have many solar projects.”

The Wells Fargo Foundation has supported Groundswell’s work to design and implement a financial model that leverages the IRA’s direct pay provision to deliver community ownership. The City of Refuge Resiliency Hub is the first of many community-owned projects that will be developed as a result of their support. 

“Wells Fargo is committed to building a more equitable and sustainable future in local communities and excited to see Baltimore leading the way on this new resiliency hub for the Southside,” said Otis Rolley, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. “With our funding, Groundswell is able put its new financial model into action with the City of Refuge to help inspire other communities around the country to adopt clean energy.” 

About Groundswell: Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience centers, clean energy programs that reduce energy burdens, and pioneering research initiatives that help light the way to clean energy futures for all. Groundswell leads clean energy programs and projects in five states, including the District of Columbia, providing low and moderate-income households more than $5.5 million in clean energy savings to date. Learn more at Groundswell.org or @grndswell. 

About City of Refuge: City of Refuge is a faith-based organization, a registered 501(c)3, that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis. For 20 years, City of Refuge has been committed to developing programs centered on intentional assistance and meaningful relationships that are accessible to all people in the Baltimore area, no matter the stage of life or their background. To learn more, visit CityofRefugeBaltimore.org. 

About Rochdale Capital: Rochdale Capital is a newly formed, non-profit community development loan fund based in Arlington, Va., whose mission is to promote cooperative and community ownership; advance equity, diversity, and inclusion; and provide capital access in Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous under-resourced communities. Since September 2022, the organization has closed $3.1 million in loans to support small businesses and cooperatives, affordable housing, access to healthy foods, and renewable energy development across seven states. To learn more, go to www.rochdalecapital.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 
Groundswell 
Alicia B. Hill 
(706) 881-2740 
alicia.hill@groundswell.org

BALTIMORE, October 20, 2023 /3BL/ – On October 20, Groundswell, in partnership with the City of Refuge in Baltimore, the Maryland Energy Administration, the City of Baltimore Office of Sustainability, and SunCatch Energy celebrated the first resilience hub in Maryland that will allow a nonprofit to receive direct benefits of a solar + storage project — and pass those benefits on to the community they serve.

The 110 kW solar installation for the Baltimore City Community Resiliency Hub at the City of Refuge will utilize 372 kWh of battery storage to provide community members with a location where they can safely gather in the aftermath of an emergency or severe weather event to allow the community to recover safely and effectively.

“The idea of solar energy and the fact that we’ll have ownership of the system is critical because every bit of that solar energy is saving dollars that we would otherwise pay,” said Pastor Billy Humphrey, the Executive Director of the City of Refuge in Baltimore. “Not only are we increasing the capacity of our operational budget to continue to do good work and expand the work. We’re also contributing to the larger environment.”

Groundswell works with community partners to build resilience hubs at centralized, trusted community locations where community members can access reliable power for their essential devices, continue to receive information as emergency situations develop, and store medications sensitive to temperature when their neighborhoods face natural hazard impacts and emergency situations.

“Baltimore is vulnerable to many natural hazards that can create additional obstacles for already burdened communities,” said Aubrey Germ, Climate and Resilience Planner for the City of Baltimore Office of Sustainability. “Connecting incredible community partners like City of Refuge to capacity-building resources like solar + storage is critical for building resilience in Brooklyn and other high-risk neighborhoods across the city. This project will provide cost savings and continuity of operations for City of Refuge in support of their mission to provide essential resources for vulnerable residents when they need them most.” 
While hubs like the one at the City of Refuge are an essential precaution against the effects of climate change that are already being felt across the country and around the world, thanks to the introduction of the direct pay provision in the IRA, these installations will support nonprofits in their ongoing work, allowing them to serve more people.

“The new direct pay option means that City of Refuge will own that project themselves, the full value of the solar tax credit will be paid directly to them,” said Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell. “And the resulting long-term electricity bill savings means City of Refuge will have more money for the mission to support the health, food, housing, and job-training programs they deliver to their neighbors in Baltimore.”

“Resiliency Hubs provide a lifeline of reliable electrical energy during the first few hours and days of an electrical grid outage, allowing first responders to focus on restoration of critical infrastructure,” said David Comis, Energy Program Manager at the Maryland Energy Administration. “Providing critical refrigeration of temperature sensitive medication, energy to recharge cell phones, lighting, heating and cooling, hubs help maintain the health and safety of neighborhood residents. Resiliency hubs are targeted for neighborhoods where residents are unlikely to have sufficient free capital to install alternative or backup energy sources on their own.”

This Community Resiliency Hub was funded through a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration, and Rochdale Capital provided additional financing.

“As a designated Resiliency Hub, City of Refuge plays a vital role in providing community members an option for power and temporary relief in the event of a natural disaster or emergency,” said Kladé Hare Nersasian, Chief Loan Officer at Rochdale Capital. “Rochdale Capital is proud to support the organization in its efforts to install solar panels at its headquarters, via a direct ownership model, as well as construct a new roof and add battery storage.”

“We aim to support organizations that are working to improve resilience in under-resourced communities and align with the evolving needs of the renewable energy landscape,” said Adaora Ifebigh, Senior Director of Impact at Sol Systems. “Together, we are ensuring that frontline communities have the resources they need to respond and recover from extreme weather events and energy disruptions.”

Sol Systems provided funding support for the project.

“We’re working to get solar in every community in this country,” said Brad Boston, President of SunCatch Energy, a fourth-generation, Black-owned business with a track record of successful solar installations in the District and Maryland which oversaw the engineering, procurement, and construction for this project. “It is a pleasure to be back out here with another solar project in a community that doesn’t have many solar projects.”

The Wells Fargo Foundation has supported Groundswell’s work to design and implement a financial model that leverages the IRA’s direct pay provision to deliver community ownership. The City of Refuge Resiliency Hub is the first of many community-owned projects that will be developed as a result of their support. 

“Wells Fargo is committed to building a more equitable and sustainable future in local communities and excited to see Baltimore leading the way on this new resiliency hub for the Southside,” said Otis Rolley, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. “With our funding, Groundswell is able put its new financial model into action with the City of Refuge to help inspire other communities around the country to adopt clean energy.” 

About Groundswell: Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience centers, clean energy programs that reduce energy burdens, and pioneering research initiatives that help light the way to clean energy futures for all. Groundswell leads clean energy programs and projects in five states, including the District of Columbia, providing low and moderate-income households more than $5.5 million in clean energy savings to date. Learn more at Groundswell.org or @grndswell. 

About City of Refuge: City of Refuge is a faith-based organization, a registered 501(c)3, that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis. For 20 years, City of Refuge has been committed to developing programs centered on intentional assistance and meaningful relationships that are accessible to all people in the Baltimore area, no matter the stage of life or their background. To learn more, visit CityofRefugeBaltimore.org. 

About Rochdale Capital: Rochdale Capital is a newly formed, non-profit community development loan fund based in Arlington, Va., whose mission is to promote cooperative and community ownership; advance equity, diversity, and inclusion; and provide capital access in Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous under-resourced communities. Since September 2022, the organization has closed $3.1 million in loans to support small businesses and cooperatives, affordable housing, access to healthy foods, and renewable energy development across seven states. To learn more, go to www.rochdalecapital.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 
Groundswell 
Alicia B. Hill 
(706) 881-2740 
alicia.hill@groundswell.org

PNC | Insights

The 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum, shows a 34% decrease to 169 years for women to catch up to men economically.1 The drop from 257 years in the 2020 report marks impressive progress.

But 169 years is still too long to wait.

For the second consecutive year, PNC marked Sept. 14, the 257th day of the year, to bring greater visibility to and help close the economic gender gap that inspired our Project 257®: Accelerating Women’s Financial Equality initiative. For employees, clients, and community partners, Project 257 Day is a time to gather and discuss progress to date as well as the challenges and opportunities that remain for women financial decision-makers.

More Than a Tagline

Accelerating women’s financial equality is more than a tagline for Project 257®. It is an outgrowth of nearly 20 years of dedicated efforts at PNC. Central to this work is the commitment of PNC’s more than 50 designated Women’s Business Development Market Champions in each of PNC’s coast-to-coast markets and its more than 5,000 PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocates (WBAs).

PNC employees of any gender comprise our group of WBAs who, for two decades, have voluntarily completed proprietary training, applied for certification, and are fully committed to supporting the achievement of women financial decision-makers. PNC WBAs, year-round, provide information, resources, and tools that connect, engage, empower, and inspire women to achieve their personal and professional financial goals.

This includes, for example, our Women Who Achieve and Lessons in Leadership series and PNC’s annual Women in Business Week, which marked its 13th year this past May. During Women in Business Week PNC employees connected with 20,000 women in meetings and events, and nearly 15,000 individuals registered for five informative, inspirational webcasts.

In addition to providing a variety of financial education resources and the attention of our WBAs to help women close the gender retirement gap and explore opportunities to generate alternative and investment income beyond their paychecks, there are multiple ways that PNC colleagues in more than 50 regional markets are collectively contributing to the effort to help close the economic gender gap. These activities are often in collaboration with others’ efforts to advance women. A few examples include:

The Technology group’s relationship with Girls Who Code to inspire girls and young women to consider careers in computer science and information technologySponsorship of an exhibit that celebrates the artistry, entrepreneurial spirit and strive toward financial independence of South African womenThe Tax Credit Solutions Group’s $161 million fund that will develop and rehabilitate 1,700 affordable rental housing units across 10 states to provide homes for survivors of domestic violence 2 and senior citizens1 – two populations dominated by womenThree consecutive years of support for the Women in Payments’ USA Unicorn Challenge to advance fintech entrepreneursA collaborative effort, WPO Perspectives, supporting the growth of the Women Presidents Organization, a peer-to-peer mentoring organization accelerating the growth of companies owned and run by women

Increasing Access to Capital

We’re also working to address the economic gender gap through our support of the global nonprofit Coralus (formerly SheEO), which provides zero-interest loans and an ecosystem of support to women entrepreneurs.

In 2022, PNC covered the cost for 100 entrepreneurs to join the Coralus ecosystem. In addition, PNC’s support of Coralus helps increase awareness of the organization’s no-interest loan program. Last year, 25 percent of the entrepreneurs who applied to Coralus heard about the program from PNC. One of those was a Chicagoland business, Neighborly Hands, which was selected to receive a loan.

This year, a cohort of 100 entrepreneurs will be selected to join the Coralus community through the PNC Bank + Coralus Collective. Visit pnc.com/coralus to learn more.

We believe that all of these actions large and small can add up to big impact. And our intention is to keep working for change until the economy is no longer being held back by an economic gender gap.

PNC | Insights

The 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum, shows a 34% decrease to 169 years for women to catch up to men economically.1 The drop from 257 years in the 2020 report marks impressive progress.

But 169 years is still too long to wait.

For the second consecutive year, PNC marked Sept. 14, the 257th day of the year, to bring greater visibility to and help close the economic gender gap that inspired our Project 257®: Accelerating Women’s Financial Equality initiative. For employees, clients, and community partners, Project 257 Day is a time to gather and discuss progress to date as well as the challenges and opportunities that remain for women financial decision-makers.

More Than a Tagline

Accelerating women’s financial equality is more than a tagline for Project 257®. It is an outgrowth of nearly 20 years of dedicated efforts at PNC. Central to this work is the commitment of PNC’s more than 50 designated Women’s Business Development Market Champions in each of PNC’s coast-to-coast markets and its more than 5,000 PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocates (WBAs).

PNC employees of any gender comprise our group of WBAs who, for two decades, have voluntarily completed proprietary training, applied for certification, and are fully committed to supporting the achievement of women financial decision-makers. PNC WBAs, year-round, provide information, resources, and tools that connect, engage, empower, and inspire women to achieve their personal and professional financial goals.

This includes, for example, our Women Who Achieve and Lessons in Leadership series and PNC’s annual Women in Business Week, which marked its 13th year this past May. During Women in Business Week PNC employees connected with 20,000 women in meetings and events, and nearly 15,000 individuals registered for five informative, inspirational webcasts.

In addition to providing a variety of financial education resources and the attention of our WBAs to help women close the gender retirement gap and explore opportunities to generate alternative and investment income beyond their paychecks, there are multiple ways that PNC colleagues in more than 50 regional markets are collectively contributing to the effort to help close the economic gender gap. These activities are often in collaboration with others’ efforts to advance women. A few examples include:

The Technology group’s relationship with Girls Who Code to inspire girls and young women to consider careers in computer science and information technologySponsorship of an exhibit that celebrates the artistry, entrepreneurial spirit and strive toward financial independence of South African womenThe Tax Credit Solutions Group’s $161 million fund that will develop and rehabilitate 1,700 affordable rental housing units across 10 states to provide homes for survivors of domestic violence 2 and senior citizens1 – two populations dominated by womenThree consecutive years of support for the Women in Payments’ USA Unicorn Challenge to advance fintech entrepreneursA collaborative effort, WPO Perspectives, supporting the growth of the Women Presidents Organization, a peer-to-peer mentoring organization accelerating the growth of companies owned and run by women

Increasing Access to Capital

We’re also working to address the economic gender gap through our support of the global nonprofit Coralus (formerly SheEO), which provides zero-interest loans and an ecosystem of support to women entrepreneurs.

In 2022, PNC covered the cost for 100 entrepreneurs to join the Coralus ecosystem. In addition, PNC’s support of Coralus helps increase awareness of the organization’s no-interest loan program. Last year, 25 percent of the entrepreneurs who applied to Coralus heard about the program from PNC. One of those was a Chicagoland business, Neighborly Hands, which was selected to receive a loan.

This year, a cohort of 100 entrepreneurs will be selected to join the Coralus community through the PNC Bank + Coralus Collective. Visit pnc.com/coralus to learn more.

We believe that all of these actions large and small can add up to big impact. And our intention is to keep working for change until the economy is no longer being held back by an economic gender gap.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 20, 2023 /3BL/ –Springfield Boys & Girls Club (SBGS) has received a $10,000 charitable grant from KeyBank Foundation, the charitable foundation of KeyBank. The grant will support the club’s Brain Gain Program, an afterschool program designed to bolster appropriate grade-level reading skills for the inner city, at-risk children and youth served by the club. A ceremonial check was presented by KeyBank to SBGS leadership, staff and youth members at a check presentation event held yesterday at the Boys and Girls Club on Carew Street in Springfield.

“The Boys & Girls Club is pleased to see KeyBank’s strong commitment to the education of children,” said Executive Director Vinnie Borello. “This gift from Keybank Foundation is a much-needed investment to our community as we strive to help our kids expand their reading skills in a fun, learning environment. We appreciate KeyBank’s support.”

The vast majority of children served by the Springfield Boys & Girls Club are from low-income families, with 65% of them raised in homes where English is a second language, putting them at a disadvantage in terms of reading, retention, and school learning. In addition, many of the students are still recovering from learning loss sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic remote learning environment. The Brain Gain Program is designed to build reading comprehension and retention skills so that participants are reading at grade level at a minimum. SBGS utilizes specific software programs to support the curriculum and provide Chromebook computers and internet access to children who may otherwise have no access to technology and these learning tools.

“At KeyBank, we believe in supporting organizations and programs that help students be successful in school, get good grades, and eventually graduate and have access to college and career-building opportunities,” said KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer Analisha Michanczyk. “The Boys and Girls Club’s Brain Gain program is an effective way to help kids build literacy skills and perform better in school, and we are proud to support their efforts.”

KeyBank Foundation provides financial resources to nonprofits within KeyBank’s service areas that help students achieve academically, with a particular focus toward minority and low-and moderate-income populations. KeyBank has seven retail bank branches throughout greater Springfield, MA.

About Springfield Boys & Girls Club: 
The Springfield Boys and Girls Club is committed to the betterment of the lives of children in Springfield, Massachusetts. At the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, we provide all our members with a safe place to grow and learn that fosters ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals. We offer a variety of life-enhancing programs that include character development experiences, hope, and opportunities. With a dedicated staff, board, and volunteers, the Club ensures that “Great Futures Start Here.”

About KeyBank Foundation: 
KeyBank Foundation serves to fulfill KeyBank’s purpose to help clients and communities thrive, and its mission is to support organizations and programs that prepare people for thriving futures. The Foundation’s mission is advanced through three funding priorities – neighbors, education, and workforce – and through community service. To provide meaningful philanthropy that transforms lives, KeyBank Foundation listens carefully to understand the unique characteristics and needs of its communities and then backs solutions with targeted philanthropic investments. KeyBank Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation, funded by KeyCorp.

About KeyCorp/KeyBank: 
KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187.8 billion at September 30, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

Media contacts: 
Springfield Boys and Girls Club: Sarah Gumaer, Marketing Director | 413-732-7201 | Sgumaer@sbgc.org 
KeyBank: Karen Crane, Communications Manager | 203-789-2752 | karen_crane@keybank.com