CityLink Center: Community contributes over $5M to enhance economic opportunity

Amidst the pandemic, the generosity of this community and those beyond is simply incredible. CityLink Center launched a campaign at the end of 2020 to raise $5.3MM for a campus expansion to serve more neighbors seeking a better life for themselves and their families.

In early 2022, a year ahead of schedule, a final institutional gift by a national workforce development foundation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg foundation, out of Baltimore MD propelled fundraising across the finish line.

In total, 152 individual donors contributed $1,123,337 dollars and 11 institutional donors contributed $1,530,250 dollars and Crossroads church contributed $500,000. This fundraising combined with the $2,346,500 from the New Market Tax Credit that Model Group secured with Cincinnati Development Fund, the credits were purchased by Fifth Third Bank. This effort truly spanned all sectors of our community.

CityLink Center’s campus expansion will amplify its capacity to serve more neighbors. The $5.3MM project builds on the strength of existing partnerships and creates room for new partnerships to grow.

The organization launched the capital campaign to expand critical resources for our community, helping our city not just return back to normal, but to rebuild with reimagined economic opportunities and pathways for families.

The expansion is creating:

• a new automotive center for ChangingGears to equip more clients with private transportation solutions and launch an automotive technician training program
• a new childcare center for Learning Grove to provide headstart early learning and childcare for local families and adults beginning their journey with CityLink
• a location to expand construction career training with Cornerstone Construction Training
• expanded space for new healthcare training tracks provided by Making A Change Cincy
• a study space for clients including those pursuing college degrees through PelotonU

Additional major local supporters include Crossroads Church, the Farmer Family Foundation, the Jacob G Schmidlap trust of Fifth Third Bank, PLK Communities, the P&G Fund, Haile Foundation, and The Connor Group Kids & Community Partners.

The project is being developed and constructed by Model Group, while the design and architecture is being completed by NorthShore Design. The anticipated completion of the project is by September 1st 2022.