Family Promise of WNY receives $300,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation

Largest gift in organization’s history

KeyBank Press Release and Photo

Family Promise of WNY, an emergency family homeless shelter, has received a KeyBank Foundation Grant for $300,000 over the next three years.

The grant, the largest gift in the organization’s history, is targeted for capacity building as Family Promise of WNY is in the initial stages of building a second emergency family shelter site in Buffalo. Projected to open in 2027, the new shelter site will more than double the ability to serve the Erie County family homeless population. The grant will support the addition of two key positions at the organization: a housing specialist who will provide more targeted intervention to assist homeless families securing permanent housing, and a development director to help grow the organization’s fiscal position.

“Family homelessness is at crisis levels in our community right now. On any given night, there are over 100 families who need a space in shelter – but there are simply no spaces for them. That is why we are trying to open a second family shelter,” said Luanne Firestone, executive director of Family Promise. “Taking a small organization to the next level is hard. We are simply overwhelmed by and grateful for the opportunity that this KeyBank Foundation grant provides to our growing shelter program. We are confident that this capacity-building grant will allow us to house families faster and provide the strongest foundation possible for our future expansion in the community.”

KeyBank Buffalo Market President Michael McMahon said, “Family Promise of WNY serves a vital role in our community, keeping families experiencing homelessness together by offering emergency housing and compassionate support as they work to find their way back home. Their mission and work gives children and their families hope. We believe in their work and are excited to help them grow and serve more people.”

KeyBank Buffalo Corporate Responsibility Officer Chiwuike Owunwanne said, “This grant to Family Promise of WNY is symbolic of the partnerships KeyBank works to forge in the communities we serve. Securing safe and decent housing is a first step out of homelessness, and gives children and their families a chance to move forward to brighter futures.”

Family Promise of WNY is one of just two emergency family shelters in Erie County that keep families together through the crisis of homelessness. Over 70% of their guests are children.

For more information about Family Promise of WNY, contact Firestone at 716-536-6879 (cell), 716-771- 3007 (work), or email her at [email protected].