Business
KeyBank Awards $450,000 in Grants To Support Small Businesses and Childhood Nutrition in Central Ohio
Grants includes $200,000 to Freedom Equity and $250,000 to Children's Hunger Alliance to advance economic opportunity and food security across Columbus and Central Ohio COLUMBUS, OH / ACCESS Newswire / November 7, 2025 / As part of its ongoing commitment ...
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[{"type":"text","content":"Grants includes $200,000 to Freedom Equity and $250,000 to Children's Hunger Alliance to advance economic opportunity and food security across Columbus and Central Ohio","length":172,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"COLUMBUS, OH / ACCESS Newswire / November 7, 2025 / As part of its ongoing commitment to building stronger, more equitable communities, KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation have announced two philanthropic investments totaling $450,000 in support of economic empowerment and childhood nutrition in Ohio.","length":301,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"A $200,000 grant was awarded to Freedom Equity, a Columbus-based nonprofit focused on expanding access to capital for underserved small businesses. The grant is part of KeyBank's bicentennial celebration, which includes $5.4 million in milestone grants across its 27 markets. Freedom Equity will use the funds to launch a Low-Interest Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Alternative, designed to provide fair and transparent financing options to small businesses in Columbus that are often excluded from traditional lending.","length":520,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""Freedom Equity was founded to improve access to affordable capital for underserved businesses," said J. Averi Frost, President and CEO of Freedom Equity. "This grant will give our customers access to funds without creating the kinds of hardships that high interest loans with difficult terms sometimes create. We're here to help eliminate barriers. As a community lender, fair and affordable lending options are central to our mission. We're excited to be able to deploy this new product."","length":518,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"In addition, the KeyBank Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to Children's Hunger Alliance (CHA) to support its Early Childcare Program for In-home Providers and Childcare Centers. This initiative will deliver over one million nutritious meals and snacks to 3,400 children across Franklin County, while also expanding nutrition education and supporting 130 small childcare businesses - many of which are minority- and women-owned.","length":438,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""KeyBank is showing a true commitment to the well-being of children in our community, and we're thankful for their leadership and su...