Huntington Bank Supports Major College Readiness Expansion Initiative for Columbus City Schools Stud

Huntington Bank Supports Major College Readiness Expansion Initiative for Columbus City Schools Students with $750,000 Gift to I Know I Can

Columbus Mayor Coleman joins corporate leaders to celebrate $1.2 million in joint investment toward doubling I Know I Can's service to 5,000 Columbus City Schools families

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Huntington Banktoday presented the largest-ever single corporate donation to Columbus nonprofit I Know I Can. The three-year, $750,000 gift, in conjunction with 1,200 Huntington employee volunteer hours, will expand the organization's Blueprint:College program as I Know I Can scales up corporate support to more than double its outreach to Columbus City Schools students and their families.

Including Huntington's gift, I Know I Can has already garnered $1.2 million in total corporate support to expand its programming and outreach to 5,000 Columbus City Schools families from its current 1,800. Among additional corporate donations are a multi-year $150,000 gift from Covelli Enterprises/Panera; a three-year $100,000 in-kind gift from the White Castle for families participating in Blueprint:College's quarterly workshops; and $27,000 gifts, each from Donatos and Bob Evans supporting workshop meals.

Blueprint:College, originally developed by The Ohio State University, is a series of parent engagement workshops focused on promoting the importance of early college readiness. During the workshops, middle school parents gain the knowledge and resources necessary to nurture a college-going culture in their homes and to start planning early for college.

"Strengthening the positive impact I Know I Can provides to the community is one of the wisest investments Huntington can make in the future of our hometown," said Huntington CEO Steve Steinour. "Huntington is committed to Columbus and to partnering with successful organizations such as I Know I Can to give opportunities to students so that they can learn and succeed."

I Know I Can anticipates matching the entirety of Huntington's gift through matching contributions over the next year for total corporate support of $1.5 million for future growth.

"Providing families with dinner, transportation assistance, childcare and gift card incentives helps to not only remove barriers that often hinder participation but also allows parents to learn about the college-going process in a supportive and engaging environment with their peers," said I Know I Can Board President Tanny Crane. "The coming together of the corporate community to leverage their assets and resources in support of Columbus families represents a model of public-private partnership."

"The efforts of I Know I Can, Huntington and all the corporate partners to expand Columbus student college readiness through Blueprint:College positively align with our community's vision to elevate our great city," said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "Today represents a major win for Columbus City Schools families as our business and non-profit communities join together to make the dreams of college a reality for more students in Columbus."

"For a quarter century, I Know I Can has been breaking down barriers to higher education, and has helped make college a reality for thousands of Columbus City Schools graduates," said Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther. "As someone who benefited directly from I Know I Can, I applaud Huntington for its investment in educating tomorrow's leaders."

"Today's announcement of such broad partnership in support of Columbus City Schools students is an inspiring moment in the journey toward academic excellence," said interim Superintendent Dr. Dan Good. "Columbus families are fortunate to be able to take increasing advantage of the valuable support offered by I Know I Can as it looks forward to another 25 years of service within our community."

I Know I Can will celebrate 25 years of service in the Columbus community with a special luncheon at the Ohio Union on October 24. The luncheon will honor the organization's founders, Teckie Shackelford, Bob Weiler and the late Cliff Tyree and Art Kobacker. Dr. Ben Carson, retired director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, will be the keynote speaker.

About I Know I Can
Since 1988, I Know I Can has provided students from Columbus City Schools the advice, counsel, and financial support they need to achieve their dreams of earning a college degree. Beginning in elementary school, I Know I Can college advisors and volunteers encourage children to dream big and work hard. For more information about I Know I Can, visit www.iknowican.org.

About Huntington
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $56 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington's six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 725 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,400 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

The Huntington National Bank, Member FDIC. The logo mark and Huntington^®are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

Huntington
Michael Sherman, 614-480-6114
michael.sherman@huntington.com

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