KeyBank and KeyBank Foundation announced an investment of $300,000 in the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) to expand its Entrepreneurship Center Program (ECP).
The ECP was established in 2021 to help entrepreneurs develop, launch, sustain and expand minority-owned small businesses in Indy. The program offers current and prospective business owners access to workshops, training credentials, coaching and resources to maximize revenue, reduce costs, enhance profitability and create job opportunities.
The funding will be used to offer more comprehensive programming and services tailored to each business stage. This will allow the urban league to provide more resources and support in the form of mentoring, financial literacy training and logo and website design.
“Supporting the Indianapolis Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center Program allows us to help break down barriers for these entrepreneurs by providing the resources, training, and mentorship they need to succeed,” said Juan Gonzalez, KeyBank Central Indiana market president. “This investment reflects our continued commitment to fostering equity, opportunity, and sustainable success for businesses that are vital to the future of Central Indiana.”
Since 2021 the program has achieved the following:
- Enrolled 196 small businesses in six cohorts.
- Awarded over $146,000 in IUL Helping Hand Grant Funds.
- Provided over $50,000 to 175 entrepreneurs participating in the IUL Entrepreneur and Small Business Fair in 2022 and 2023.
- Conducted over 75 small business workshops.
- Conducted over 2,893 total small business counseling hours.
“KeyBank understands what it takes to help establish and grow a business in Central Indiana. The Indianapolis Urban League is truly appreciative of our partnership with KeyBank and their generous contribution of $300,000 to help support our Entrepreneurship Center Program,” said Tony Mason, Indianapolis Urban League president and CEO. “The contribution will help to ensure that ECP participants, established and aspiring minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs are prepared to succeed, create generational wealth and contribute to the economic vitality of Indianapolis and Central Indiana.”
For more information about KeyBank and their work, visit key.com. For more information about the IUL, visit indplsul.org.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
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