CILC Honored to Receive $200,000 Grant from KeyBank Foundation

Written By Benjamin Reynolds

Bicentennial Investment Will Strengthen Financial Wellness Programming for Alaska Native Communities

Anchorage, AK - November 24, 2025

Key Bank presents their Bicentennial Celebration Grant to Cook Inlet Lending Center staff. From left to right: Ann Lawson (CILC), Abby Miller (CILC), Jeff Tickle (CILC), Lorri McCaffrey (Keybank), Garet Plantz (Keybank), I.V. Reeves (Keybank), Julie Nolen (CILC), and Karen Ruiz (CILC).

Cook Inlet Lending Center (CILC) is proud to announce that we have been selected to receive a $200,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation as part of KeyBank's 200th anniversary celebration. This generous investment will directly strengthen our Financial Wellness Program, expanding our ability to serve Alaska Native families throughout Alaska.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

KeyBank is marking two centuries of service to communities across the nation by investing $5.4 million in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and foundations across their 27 markets. These milestone grants reflect KeyBank's commitment to advancing affordable housing, small business development, and economic opportunity in the communities they serve.

"KeyBank is committed to helping our community thrive through investments that promote neighbors, education and workforce," said Lori McCaffrey, Alaska Market President at KeyBank. "We are not only here to serve our clients, but to invest in neighborhoods where we live and work, providing opportunities and making a difference in people's lives."

This philosophy aligns perfectly with CILC's mission. Cook Inlet Lending Center invests in traditionally underserved people and communities, offering equitable access to affordable financial products and services that facilitate homeownership, strengthen local businesses, and build resilient neighborhoods. As a Native CDFI, CILC vigorously pursues opportunities to financially empower Alaska Native families, businesses, and communities.

Since our founding in 2001 as a social enterprise of Cook Inlet Housing Authority, we have been dedicated to addressing the need for affordable home financing and development services. In 2007, we were certified as a Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI) through the U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund, enabling us to expand our reach to serve Alaska Native communities throughout the state.

Strengthening Financial Wellness in Alaska

The $200,000 grant will enhance our Financial Wellness Program, which provides comprehensive support to individuals and families as they work toward their financial goals. This includes:

  • Credit Building: Helping clients establish and improve their credit profiles

  • Debt Reduction: Providing strategies and support for managing and reducing debt

  • Homeownership Education: Preparing families for the journey to homeownership

  • Small Business Development: Supporting entrepreneurs as they launch and grow businesses

  • Financial Education: Offering tools and resources for long-term financial stability

"We are deeply grateful to KeyBank for investing in the financial health of Alaska's communities," said Jeff Tickle, President and CEO of Cook Inlet Lending Center. "This grant strengthens our Financial Wellness Program, which helps individuals and families build credit, reduce debt, and take confident steps toward homeownership, creating small businesses and long-term financial stability."

The Critical Role of CDFIs

Community Development Financial Institutions are private financial institutions that are 100% dedicated to increasing access to affordable lending products, services, and financial education for low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities. By helping people build credit, buy homes, access affordable consumer credit, and start businesses, CDFIs support the financial health of underserved communities.

As a Native CDFI, CILC has a specific focus on serving Alaska Native communities, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities present across Alaska. This targeted approach allows us to provide culturally responsive services that truly meet the needs of the families and individuals we serve, while also supporting other traditionally underserved populations throughout the state.

Our Vision for Alaska

CILC's vision is the achievement of stable, healthy and independent Alaskan families and communities where all residents have access to safe, affordable and adequate housing and the resources they need to pursue and achieve prosperity. This vision is achieved through the development and deployment of affordable housing financing products, affordable small business capital, and related development services.

Looking Ahead

This partnership with KeyBank comes at an important time as we continue to expand our reach and deepen our impact across Alaska. The financial wellness support made possible by this grant will help more families achieve their dreams of homeownership, more entrepreneurs launch successful businesses, and more individuals build the financial foundation they need for long-term prosperity.

We are grateful for partners like KeyBank who recognize the vital role CDFIs play in creating economic opportunity and are willing to invest in that vision. As KeyBank celebrates 200 years of service, we look forward to the positive impact this partnership will create for Alaska Native families and communities for years to come.

For more information, read the Alaska Business Magazine coverage of this announcement: https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/finance/cilc-receives-200k-grant-from-keybank-as-bicentennial-birthday-gift/

About Cook Inlet Lending Center

Cook Inlet Lending Center (CILC) is a certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI) serving Alaska Native communities throughout Alaska. Founded in 2001 as a social enterprise of Cook Inlet Housing Authority, CILC invests in traditionally underserved people and communities, offering equitable access to affordable financial products and services that facilitate homeownership, strengthen local businesses, and build resilient neighborhoods. For more information, visit our website or contact us directly.

About KeyBank

KeyBank, the primary subsidiary of KeyCorp, is a regional bank headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. KeyBank operates in 15 states and is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025. The KeyBank Foundation supports community development initiatives across KeyBank's markets, with a focus on neighbors, education, and workforce development.

For media inquiries about this grant, please contact Cook Inlet Lending Center.

Benjamin Reynolds
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