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Nine neighborhoods across seven states in Fifth Third’s footprint stepped up to the challenge, each creating an economic mobility plan designed to advance the hopes and aspirations of residents, small businesses, and other community stakeholders.

The economic mobility plans are fueled by Fifth Third’s commitment to provide $20 million to each neighborhood in lending, investments, and philanthropy per each neighborhood’s opportunities, needs and economic mobility plan.

Collectively, the neighborhoods have launched or completed 90% of the 180 actions included across all nine economic mobility plans. An ongoing evaluation of the program led by Enterprise is designed to measure community and systems-level change.


Arlington Woods | Indianapolis, Indiana

Arlington Woods
Indianapolis, Indiana

JEWEL Human Services Corporation

A man speaking at a podium outside during a groundbreaking ceremony

Jewel Human Services – the community-building arm of the Eastern Star Church – believes families should be able to live, learn, and play in their own communities.

Expanding homeownership is central to Jewel Human Services’ economic mobility plan. Support from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program fueled the ROCK Housing Initiative, with five single-family homes completed and purchased by first-time homeowners. Seven additional homes are in the pipeline.

This program has given us a blueprint for creating partnership between the community and our nonprofit.

- Tamela Saunders, Eastern Star Church

Fifth Third’s investment in the housing initiative directly supported down-payment assistance for eligible first-time homebuyers as well as the design and development of the community’s housing programs.

Promoting prosperous small businesses has been another priority for Arlington Woods, whose entrepreneurship incubator has supported over 15 businesses to date, while 40 youth secured jobs and internship opportunities. 

The technical assistance from Enterprise has been vital to achieving these and other goals, said JEWEL Human Services Director of Community Development Tamela Saunders: “It’s afforded us the opportunity to make corporate structures understandable and accessible to the community. We’ve never had that before.”

Avondale | Cincinnati, Ohio

Avondale
Cincinnati, Ohio

Avondale Development Corporation

A blue, purple mural wall with street signs.

Avondale Development Corporation is working to ensure neighborhood residents realize the benefits of Cincinnati’s remarkable progress and innovation in recent years.

Targeted investments and strategic, resident-driven partnerships in Avondale have helped expand affordable housing opportunities and ensure homeowners have the resources to stay in their homes.

With support from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program, Avondale Development Corporation, in partnership with Kingsley + Co., created 64 new multifamily homes. To preserve existing homes, 30 homeowners received forgivable loans for support with essential repairs, such as roofing, foundations, and window replacements.

When you’re running a small nonprofit, you’ve got to ensure you have a neighborhood plan and partnerships, and that your staff sees the rainbow at the end.

– Russell Hairston, Avondale Development Corporation

Support from the program also enabled Avondale to bolster small businesses, provide Wi-Fi and digital literacy to 320 homes, fund seven art installations, and prepare two parcels of land for development.

Participation in the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program also propelled Avondale Development Corporation’s efforts to strengthen community partnerships. The organization engaged nearly 3,000 residents across 22 neighborhood events. From an operations standpoint, they filled three critical roles, positioning the organization for even greater success and impact.

Buckeye | Cleveland, Ohio

Buckeye
Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress

A red and white wall mural that reads keep your head to the sky and love lunes

Neighborhood leaders believe a resurgence is possible in Buckeye –  and that with time and access, opportunity will grow.

Anti-displacement strategies are at the heart of Buckeye’s efforts to ensure longtime homeowners can stay in their homes and residents have more affordable housing options.

With support from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, CHN Housing Partners, and Burten, Bell, Carr Development collaborated to create 120 new multifamily homes, develop 48 new units for homeownership, celebrate the sale of 22 homes to long-time Buckeye residents, and help 35 homeowners make critical repairs.

This program has been about centering the resident voice and building community trust – it has dramatically changed how we do our work.

– Jeff Verespej, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress

Ensuring the growth of businesses is also key to Buckeye’s revitalization strategy. Burten, Bell, Carr, Development has supported 100 businesses and entrepreneurs, hosting events and creating a resource guide for business owners.

At the heart of all this work is a commitment to strengthening neighborhood partnerships and increasing resident engagement toward creating the capacity for long-term change in Buckeye.

East Tampa | Tampa, Florida

East Tampa
Tampa, Florida

CDC of East Tampa

A gray house with brown doors

CDC of Tampa’s economic mobility plan centers longtime residents – as developers, investors, and vested stakeholders in East Tampa’s growth.

Workforce development is central to CDC of Tampa’s efforts to advance economic mobility in the East Tampa neighborhood. With support from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program, the organization leveraged major federal and private grant dollars, creating over 400 job placements and bolstering training and career development, mentorship, and financial literacy opportunities for East Tampa residents.

East Tampa was redlined for so long and now we talk about greenlining. Banks are helping attract money and investments. The community will thrive because of that.

– Ernest J. Coney, CDC of Tampa

Homeownership and housing development also remain key priorities for CDC of Tampa. The Fifth Third Neighborhood Program played a role in CDC of Tampa’s successful efforts to produce 11 new homeownership units and assist 100 homeowners with maintenance and financing. Trainings for over 500 future homebuyers could potentially yield a 5.5% increase in East Tampa’s homeownership rates.

CDC of Tampa also acquired 47 properties and parcels for conversion to commercial and residential development.

With an eye toward community cohesion, CDC of Tampa built and strengthened cross-sector partnerships and engaged nearly 1,500 residents through events designed to increase awareness and generate buy-in and momentum for East Tampa’s economic mobility roadmap.

Grove Park | Atlanta, Georgia

Grove Park
Atlanta, Georgia

Grove Park Foundation

A street sign on a pole

Leaders of the Grove Park Foundation say the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program has catalyzed progress in a resilient neighborhood whose legacy has built the fabric of Atlanta.

Supporting small businesses is a key component of the Grove Park Foundation’s economic mobility goals. With a focus on increasing vacancy rates and growing commercial development, they supported 11 businesses and five commercial developments.

Technical assistance from Enterprise – and having that brain trust working side-by-side – has allowed us to put the community voice at the center of our work.

– Gavin McGuire, Grove Park Foundation

Philanthropic support from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program has fueled their Corner Ready Initiative. The program helps businesses get ready for commerce and connects vendors and residents. The goal: building excitement for the redevelopment of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, a major commercial corridor in Grove Park.

Grove Park is also working to secure critical resources for homeowners and renters. Fifth Third capital helped secure five mortgages in Grove Park, representing 0.5% market share of purchase loans in Grove Park. 

Part of the Purpose Built Communities network, Grove Park Foundation prioritizes partnerships. It has engaged 10 partners and 650 residents toward increasing awareness, buy-in, and momentum for their economic mobility roadmap.

Historic West End | Charlotte, North Carolina

Historic West End
Charlotte, N.C.

LISC Charlotte

A building with graffiti on the side

LISC Charlotte has convened residents, businesses, and community stakeholders to protect the Historic West End’s history and culture – and ensure its future reflects their voice and vision.

Through its partnership with LISC Charlotte, the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program has brought significant support to grassroots partners in Historic West End, including the West Side Community Land Trust. With a $1.1 million program-related investment from Fifth Third Foundation, the Land Trust purchased land to create a new 120-unit development providing affordable homes to Historic West End seniors.

The vision for The Legacy at Carr Heights – a 120-unit complex – became a reality in part because of this program.  

 Ralphine Caldwell, LISC Charlotte

In addition to contributing to more affordable spaces to live, the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program has collectively assisted 365 new or existing homeowners through mortgages, home repairs, tax assistance, and other resources. The support allows residents to maintain housing in Historic West End, despite mounting displacement pressure.

Technical support from LISC Charlotte and funding from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program has enabled Historic West End Partners to develop an underutilized strip mall that will pave the way for Thrive Food Hub. The location will feature a commercial kitchen and corner store selling fresh foods plus meeting space for small businesses. The impact will include improved food access, economic opportunities, and commercial revitalization.

In addition, philanthropic support from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program helped LISC Charlotte and Historic West End Partners expand a small business grant program – key to helping grow and retain local businesses – and helped facilitate a food security partnerships between For the Struggle and Johnson C. Smith University, a local HBCU.

Near East Side | Columbus, Ohio

Near East Side
Columbus, Ohio

Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT)

A group of houses in a neighborhood

The Near East Side is the home of historic Black Columbus – a place with a passion for community ownership and exciting new developments underway.

Creating a sustainable community where residents can thrive on the Near East Side means ensuring legacy residents can stay in their homes. PACT is on track to repair 30 homes through their signature Exterior Home Repair program, meeting an extreme need in the neighborhood. Support from Empowering Black Futures also has helped homeowners through matched savings and estate planning programs.

Through the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program, PACT relaunched its signature Neighborhood Leadership Academy, a cohort of resident leaders who are intentionally coming together to learn the history of the neighborhood and gain community advocacy skills that will help them to serve their Near East Side community.

This program is an example of the type of community lending that neighborhoods like the Near East Side really need to do the work that’s going to serve our residents.

– Sheldon Johnson, PACT

A new solar venture supported by the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program aims to save energy costs and build wealth for homeowners. The PACT Residential Solar Pilot is recruiting homeowners with viable roofs for the program. Participants will see immediate cost savings on monthly power bills. After six years, ownership of the debt-free solar asset will transfer to the homeowner and continue to power their home at little or no cost.

Pursuing innovative solutions, growing local businesses, and revitalizing vacant parcels demand capacity. The Fifth Third Neighborhood Program has helped PACT create and fill several key positions that have been essential to advancing the Near East Side’s economic mobility roadmap.

Russell | Louisville, Kentucky

Russell
Louisville, Kentucky

Russell: A Place of Promise

A group of individuals sitting and posing for a photo

Once considered the Harlem of the South, Louisville’s Russell neighborhood has embarked on a community-led renaissance designed to build wealth in the community.

Russell: A Place of Promise (RPOP) is a justice-based initiative focused on generating investments in the people and places that make Louisville, Kentucky’s Russell neighborhood special.

RPOP worked in partnership with New Directions Housing Corporation, the Louisville Urban League, LHOME, and REBOUND, Inc. to implement activities funded through the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program grant.

With support from the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program, RPOP helped preserve and repair nearly 70 homes. Tailored trainings conducted in partnership with the Louisville Urban League helped 84 residents remain in the neighborhood and build their assets.

A person standing and holding a banner next to them

RPOP’s partner, REBOUND, Inc., also received approval for a $220,000 investment in the Richmond Apartments. The investment supports construction of 15 new affordable rental apartments in the Russell neighborhood. Residents will also have access to rent reporting for credit building, financial coaching and other supports.

To drive commercial development in the neighborhood, RPOP’s Russell Small Business Accelerator promotes new resident-owned businesses and partners with local businesses and entrepreneurs. Forty-eight Russell-affiliated small businesses received support.

Fifth Third’s philanthropic support leveraged additional funding for the Accelerator and allowed RPOP to offer grants to businesses completing the program. Graduates also gained access to priority support from the Louisville Urban League’s Center for Entrepreneurship and LHOME, two of RPOP’s key partners in the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program.

South Chicago | Chicago, Illinois

South Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Claretian Associates

A mural painted on a wall

In South Chicago, residents and community leaders are creating a healthy community of choice, where people with deep neighborhood roots can be part of the change. 

Expanding housing opportunities is a priority in South Chicago. Claretian Associates grew its rental portfolio through the Getting to Home program, acquiring, rehabilitating, and leasing four units to people earning 50% to 80% of area median income.

Phase two of the program aims to put homeownership within reach for households with low to moderate incomes. In partnership with a modular homebuilder, Claretian will create 15 for-sale homes toward supporting wealth building among in South Chicago households.

The support from this program has given us the tools to access the resources that we need for a thriving community.  

– Angela Hurlock, Claretian Associates

Leaders are also working to grow and retain small businesses in South Chicago. “You need more than vision to survive entrepreneurship. You need partnership and collaboration,” said one of 25 small businesses that gained support from Claretian Associates.

At the same time, Claretian Associates has built a foundation for success. They have strengthened bonds with residents and partners, with six formal partnerships and over 700 residents engaged across 14 community events. They have also increased their organizational capacity, filling two of three newly created positions.