|
The Strengthening Our Communities Fund is part of Fifth
Third Bank’s Community Commitment, which will invest $32
billion in mortgage lending, small business lending,
community development lending and philanthropy by 2020.
Since its inception $5.5 million has been invested through
the Strengthening Our Communities Fund.
“The Strengthening Our Community grants are impactful.
Regardless of the neighborhood where one lives or works,
every community is an ever-evolving, all-encompassing
entity, created and established by the people who call those
neighborhoods home,” said Heidi Jark, managing director,
Fifth Third Foundation. “We are intentional about building
communities because we know that, as their members become
empowered, their entire surroundings will flourish.”
“We are committed to making community investments that
improve lives, strengthen families and build strong
communities in Toledo,” said Bob LaClair, regional president
of Fifth Bank Northwest Ohio. “We believe these grants
provide meaningful support to the efforts of these
organizations to build and maintain strong, vibrant
communities and that provide pathways to opportunity in our
community.”
Fifth Third invited nonprofit organizations across its
regions to apply for the funding. Grant awards begin at
$25,000 and are for a one-year period. The maximum grants
depend on the program and demonstrated need. Fifth Third
awarded $3 million in SOC grants across its footprint in
2018.
The Northwest Ohio recipients of Strengthening Our
Communities Fund grants are:
Adelante, Inc.:
$25,000 will be used for their workplace development
initiative.
“Being selected to receive this award means that we can now
provide an avenue for low to moderate income families to be
able to achieve success in the workforce, hence impacting
their long-term financial stability. The training center is
made possible only through this award at this point. To
date, we have graduated 4 Pharm Tech trainees and have
welcomed over 15 new participants into the newly formed ESL
classes – now being offered every Wednesday. We are excited
to be of service to our community in this capacity,” said
Sabina Serratos, Adelante, Inc. executive director.
Cherry Street Mission Ministries:
$50,000 for Cherry Street’s Life Revitalization Network.
Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio:
$50,000 to support the Goodwill Job Connection Center.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC):
$28,750 for the First Steps to Homeownership Program.
“Through the partnership with Fifth Third Bank, the LISC
Toledo office will be able to continue to increase credit
building opportunities for low and moderate income families
by expanding the LISC Twin Account program. The LISC Twin
Account program is offered through the Toledo Financial
Opportunity Centers, which provide financial coaching to
build and repair credit. Increasing the financial capacity
of families in Toledo is critical to building assets,
through homeownership or entrepreneurship, and key to
building strong neighborhoods,” said Kimberly Cutcher, LISC
Toledo executive director.
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity:
$28,750 for the home repair program.
Economic Community Development Institute (ECDI): The
Toledo SOC fund participated in supporting $125,000 for the
statewide Ohio Core City Neighborhoods Initiative.
|
