Funder Spotlight: First Financial Bank

First Financial Bank is an important partner to the Avondale Development Corporation and a strong supporter of the Avondale neighborhood. 

The bank has provided pre-development funding for the affordable housing-focused Hale Avenue housing development, which is designed to ensure housing choices that respect and sustain a vibrant Avondale and improve the marketability of the neighborhood. This multi-phased project features townhomes for sale to families and households that earn no more than 115% of the area median income. 

First Financial also provides support for the Avondale Economic Mobility Fund and Avondale Financial Literacy Workshops. EMF is a grant program designed to help at-risk Avondale families avoid displacement due to new development and investment in the neighborhood. The first two rounds of the EMF featured 40 grants of $1,000 each to residents. The program has since been modified to be responsive to the immediate needs of residents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants of up to $1,000 will now be available to any Avondale resident to ensure the availability of shelter, help them maintain social distancing, and access other resources. Residents will also be eligible to participate in virtual financial literacy workshops to enhance their budgeting skills, facilitated by our partnership with First Financial Bank.

First Financial Bank has been in the business of client service and success for more than 150 years. With more than 140 banking centers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, the First Financial combines world-class financial expertise with personal community service that builds lifelong relationships.