KeyBank Foundation commits $300,000 to youth financial inclusion

The three-year investment targets the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, allowing the organization to evolve its model beyond summer programs into year-round government-led workforce development. Through a new cohort-based academy, the initiative will provide technical assistance to at least 15 workforce programs nationwide, helping them integrate banking access directly into the employment experience for individuals aged 14 to 24.

Historically, the CFE Fund has facilitated over 180,000 bank account openings and enabled 600,000 young workers to utilize direct deposit. By focusing on low- and moderate-income youth who are often unbanked, the program aims to establish sustainable saving habits early in a career. Jonathan Mintz, CEO of the CFE Fund, noted that pairing an early job with financial education provides a transformative foundation for long-term stability. Participating programs will gain access to no-cost training and peer learning opportunities to help build institutional partnerships, with informational webinars scheduled for July 22 and August 13.