CLEVELAND — On Thursday, the United Way of Greater Cleveland announced groundbreaking donations totaling nearly $5 million from the Cleveland Clinic and KeyBank.
According to officials, the Cleveland Clinic donated $2.5 million to advance the organization's programs counteracting lead poisoning in the area. United Way says that this major donation is the "single largest gift" that the group's Impact Institute has ever received, and falls within the top ten largest commitments in the United Way of Greater Cleveland's history.
“For far too long, children in Cleveland have been robbed of the ability to live up to their full potential because of lead poisoning,” said Augie Napoli, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland a founding member of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition Steering Committee. “United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition are continuing to work closely with partners across our community to find innovative, long-term solutions to ensure safe and healthy housing options are available to all families and children living in Cleveland, and we’re grateful to the Cleveland Clinic for supporting that important, life-saving work through their $2.5 million investment.”
“Our communities can only be safe and healthy when every person has the opportunity to live in a safe and healthy home,” said Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, M.D. “It is our goal to create the healthiest communities for everyone. By providing direct support to the communities and partnering with existing organizations like United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, our neighbors can prosper and live healthy lives.”
Additionally, KeyBank donated $2.1 million to the 2-1-1 Center for Excellence in Social Services and Economic Mobility.
United Way's 2-1-1 provides vital resources to families in Northeast Ohio, offering food and shelter to those in need, as well as mental health and employment services.
“United Way of Greater Cleveland is fighting poverty by developing new solutions focused on creating a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive,” said Chris Gorman, KeyCorp Chairman and CEO. “We support their efforts to bring meaningful change to our community and we are proud to stand with them as they reimagine the way we serve those in need.”
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