Grant will support Free Geek's program designed to narrow the digital divide and advance the fundamental digital skills needed to advance education, find and maintain jobs and access critical services
PORTLAND, OR / ACCESS Newswire / October 2, 2025 / Free Geek, a nonprofit with offerings that help narrow the digital divide, has announced a grant of $300,000 from the KeyBank Foundation. Funds from this grant will support the organization's efforts to provide digital literacy training and education, hardware (new and refurbished) and support through digital navigators.
Free Geek maximizes its impact by partnering with community-based organizations that are already providing other services in related areas, including affordable housing, workforce development and food assistance. The organization will work in partnership with Home Forward, the housing authority serving Multnomah County and surrounding areas, to establish Free Geek's 'Train the Trainer Program' at its low-income housing buildings and communities. The goal is to first close tool and digital skill gaps community members at Home Forward properties are already experiencing, and then Free Geek-trained community builders will develop plans to further build the specialized skills needed to reach goals that will enrich their lives.
As community members go through Free Geek's programs, they will learn to use these digital tools and devices to find success in Home Forward's key programs, which include employment support, credit repair, building savings, starting a business, youth resources, homeownership, educational goals and basic digital literacy.
"We see firsthand that the digital divide continues to be a persistent challenge for communities in Multnomah County that are home to some of our most disconnected communities who do not own a computer, and many others don't know how to use them effectively," said Juan Muro, Executive Director of Free Geek. "Through our partnership with Home Forward, this investment will ensure that these families have the same benefits as others and their children have access to online resources to be successful in school. Free Geek will use the investment to help bridge the digital divide by working to connect more people to the internet, getting devices into the hands of people who need them and providing the digital skills to thrive."
"At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and that means addressing educational gaps that might be hindering our neighbors from reaching their full potential," said Josh Lyons, president of KeyBank in Oregon and SW Washington.
"KeyBank was drawn to the far-ranging goals of this program that will help participants advance their skills in myriad ways, from being able to secure higher-paying jobs to obtaining a better understanding of financial literacy to gaining easier access to healthcare and conducting everyday tasks like paying bills and staying connected to their communities," said Angel Reyes, Oregon and SW Washington Corporate Responsibility Officer.
About Free Geek
Free Geek is a Portland-based non-profit organization with a mission to repurpose technology and discover sustainable solutions while providing educational resources. Its ultimate aim is to foster a vibrant community where individuals are empowered to unlock their full potential. Through their dedicated efforts, they strive to transform the world by leveraging technology, sustainability, and education to create a brighter, more inclusive future, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
About KeyCorp
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $185 billion at June 30, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.
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SOURCE: KeyBank
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/free-geek-receives-300-000-grant-from-keybank-foundation-1081117
