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KEYBANK'S HARDSHIP RELIEF PROGRAM

 

When the unexpected happens, we’re here to help. KeyBank partners with The Columbus Foundation and the Gifts of Kindness LLC to provide emergency financial assistance to employees through its Hardship Relief Fund. The program provides grants for food, shelter and other basic needs to KeyBank employees experiencing financial hardship due to an unexpected personal crisis.

 

KeyBank employees are eligible to apply and receive support up to a maximum of $3,000 in one rolling 12 month period.  However, multiple applications cannot be for the same disaster or hardship. Employees may apply multiple times for financial assistance with different disasters or hardship events until they receive a maximum of $3,000 total in financial assistance in a rolling 12 month period.

 

Step 1: Are you eligible for assistance?

 

  1. Must be an active, full, or part time employee who works 20 or more hours per week
  2. Must have 90 days of service with Key (including on leave, short-term disability, and PTO)
  3. Contract, temporary/seasonal employees, interns, retirees, or those with long-term disability are not eligible to apply or to receive assistance
  4. Requested expenses must be the result of a qualifying event that has occurred after the employee’s hire date

For more detailed information on eligibility, please refer to the following guidelines:

 

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

 

Step 2: Do you have a hardship that qualifies for financial assistance?

 

Below are eligible qualified disasters and emergency hardships eligible for financial assistance, and qualified expenses through the Hardship Relief Fund.

 

Please note that these hardships DO NOT currently qualify for financial assistance at this time: (1) a spouse’s loss of income or job, (2) funeral expenses for a relative who was not financially dependent on you, and (3) loss of income due to caring for a relative who is not financially dependent on you.  

 

  • Qualified Disaster Events 
    • Acts of nature that affect an employee’s primary residence (e.g. floods, lightning strikes, hurricane, tornado, ice storm, wild fires, earthquakes)
    • Federal or state declared natural disaster or emergency
    • House fire
    • Terrorist or military action 
  • Emergency Hardship Events 
    • Crime victim (Non-violent or violent) Serious crime affecting self or family member* that inflicts injury on a person or loss of ability to pay for basic necessities
    • Death of spouse or child that results in financial hardship
    • Experiencing homelessness (must be result of landlord selling property, landlord negligence or being asked to leave a residence that you are listed on lease/mortgage. You cannot be in violation of your lease agreement to be eligible
    • Military deployment: unexpected costs associated with deployment of associate or deployment of a family member*
    • Residential disaster (ownership required) such as foundation, septic tank, sewer lines or water well damage. Does not cover normal wear and tear of appliances or routine home repairs.
    • Serious health condition of self or family member*, inclusive of injury on a person due to an accident

* Family member is defined as immediate family or close relative (including in-law/step) that is financially dependent on the employee.

 

Per the guidelines, all of your documents must include your name and/or address. Please do not provide any documentation with personal information such as your social security number, driver's license information, bank/credit card account numbers or user ID/passwords. Please redact or remove this information before sending the document.

 

Step 3: Apply for financial assistance

 

This fund will provide grants of up to $3,000 for food, shelter, and other basic needs to employees experiencing financial hardship due to an unexpected natural disaster or emergency hardship event.

 

To begin the application process:

  • Start an online application here.
    You will complete your registration and employment eligibility form first. Once employment has been verified, you will receive an email to complete your application & provide documentation. This process can take up to 2 business days.

  • All emails from our application portal will come from "The Columbus Foundation and Affiliated Organizations" (administrator@grantinterface.com). Please check your junk or spam folders regularly. Do not email this address directly. Email KBEHR@columbusfoundation.org with all questions.

Questions about the application process? Email KBEHR@columbusfoundation.org or call (614) 545-7570.

 

Donate to the Fund

 

KeyBank employees can support their fellow employees when the unexpected happens by donating to the Fund. See below for a list of ways you can donate and start contributing to the KeyBank Hardship Relief Fund today:

 

  1. Make an online gift directly to the fund.
  2. Mail a check to The Columbus Foundation:
    • Make the check out to “The Columbus Foundation” and in the memo reference “KeyBank Employee Hardship Relief."

The Columbus Foundation, ATTN: KeyBank Hardship Relief 
1234 E. Broad Street
Columbus OH 43205

 

  1. To make a gift by donating securities, email KBEHR@columbusfoundation.org.

 

Questions about making a gift through The Columbus Foundation? Email KBEHR@columbusfoundation.org or call (614) 545-7570.