$500,000 KeyBank Investment in Say Yes Niagara Falls Expands Higher Education Access for Local Students
Funding will provide support to Niagara Falls students in pursuing their educational and career goals
The KeyBank Foundation is investing $500,000 in Say Yes Niagara Falls to help remove financial barriers to higher education for public school students in the Niagara Falls City School District. This grant represents the latest chapter in KeyBank’s long standing support of the Say Yes Partnership, building on investments made since 2015.
The purpose of Say Yes Niagara Falls is to build a strong support system that empowers students to pursue and achieve their educational and career goals. By establishing a sustainable infrastructure that has been modeled after the success of Say Yes Buffalo, this project aims to ensure that future generations continue to benefit from these opportunities in perpetuity, cultivating long-term community growth.
“This remarkable investment from KeyBank reflects a shared belief in the potential of Niagara Falls students,” said David Rust, CEO of Say Yes Buffalo. “This support brings us closer to our vision of creating a permanent endowment that ensures graduates of Niagara Falls High School have access to the opportunities they deserve while helping build the skilled workforce our region needs.”
Grant funds will be allocated to the Niagara Falls Scholarship Endowment Fund to support Niagara Falls students in pursuing their educational and career goals, laying the groundwork for long-term generational success. As the most significant gift to the endowment yet, this $500,000 contribution from KeyBank will bring the fund closer to its $20 million goal and serve as a catalyst to drive further investment, with the intention of building a “forever fund” to support higher education scholarships.
“Removing financial barriers so students can pursue college and career training is central to our mission of helping the communities we serve thrive, and we’re excited to help strengthen the region’s talent pipeline,” said Michael McMahon, KeyBank Buffalo Market President. “KeyBank is proud to partner with Say Yes Niagara Falls to support students now and in the years to come.”
When it becomes fully funded, the Say Yes Niagara Falls Scholarship Program will cover tuition costs remaining after federal (Pell), state (TAP) aid, and institutional financial aid, ensuring students in public and charter schools have access to postsecondary education. Scholarships will help cover the cost of attending 2-year, 4-year, and certificate programs, including credential bearing programs associated with completing the apprenticeship program.
“Every Niagara Falls stu dent who dreams of college deserves the chance to say ‘yes’ to such aspiration. This investment helps clear the path so students can focus on learning, graduating, and building their futures,” said Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank Buffalo Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Officer. “We’re honored to support Niagara Falls students and families as they turn aspiration into achievement.”
Since 2017, KeyBank has made more than $1.7 billion in investments in Buffalo and Western New York, supporting affordable housing and com munity development projects; small business and home lend ing to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities, and transformative philan thropy.