KeyBank made a $300,000 donation to the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business Office of Diversity Affairs in support of the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

The financial commitment will allow the Leeds School of Business to continue offering programs like the KeyBank Business Leadership and KeyBank Summer Bridge programs, both of which give first-generation students and those from diverse backgrounds the skills, encouragement and confidence needed to apply to college and excel once they arrive.

“We know firsthand that the programs funded by this relationship increase retention rates, confidence, leadership skills, awareness of career opportunities and overall career readiness for participants,” Adam Warner, president of Key Equipment Finance and a member of the Leeds School of Business advisory board, said. “It is an honor to support the Leeds School of Business DEI efforts because when we open the doors to education and opportunity for first generation college students, everyone wins.”

KeyBank has supported the diversity initiatives at Leeds for most of the last 20 years, with demonstrable success. In fact, for the most recent cohort of participants, 100% of University of Colorado applicants from the KeyBank Business Leadership program were admitted to the Leeds School of Business.

“What’s so special about KeyBank is they offer both programmatic support and scholarships,” Ruby Batalla, director of the Office of Diversity Affairs at the Leeds School of Business, said. “The scholarship support helps make college more affordable for our students, which is important, but KeyBank also offers case analysis support and an on-campus experience for those pre-college programs. That attracts prospective students to Leeds and allows us to run these high-quality, high-impact programs.”