PORCH Initiative receives $15,000 grant to expand homeownership programs
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The PORCH Initiative has received a $15,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to expand programs that help low- to moderate-income residents prepare for homeownership.
According to the nonprofit, the funding will support homeowner education, financial readiness and mentorship programs in South Cape Girardeau.
The grant will help PORCH serve up to 90 residents through its Credit Mastery Workshop Series and Homeowner Mentorship Program. The workshops are designed to improve financial literacy and credit readiness, while the mentorship program pairs prospective homeowners with current South Cape homeowners and PORCH alumni for ongoing guidance after purchasing a home.
“The funding from the U.S. Bank Foundation plays an important role in helping us expand initiatives that prepare residents for homeownership and equip them with the resources to succeed long after they receive the keys,” PORCH Chief Operating Officer Rachael Long said in a news release.
A portion of the grant will also help increase the organization’s operational capacity to sustain and expand its programs.
Since launching in 2023, PORCH Initiative says it has helped 10 families become first-time homeowners, with all of those families remaining stably housed. The organization also reports more than $1.2 million has been reinvested into Cape Girardeau real estate through its efforts.
PORCH Initiative is a resident-led nonprofit focused on promoting sustainable homeownership and neighborhood revitalization in South Cape Girardeau through education, community partnerships and financial empowerment.
