NH Gives 2024 Nonprofit Spotlight: The KEY Collective

The NH Gives 2024 results are in, and all we can say is WOW—we’re floored by the generosity of 14,787 Granite State donors, who raised $3,504,859 for 650 organizations! LeMay Family Goodworks was excited to participate by supporting and spotlighting four new nonprofits.?

For our fourth and final feature this week, we are sharing The KEY Collective, in honor of our Family pillar! This New Hampshire Seacoast organization provides K-12 youth from low-income families access to after-school programs, including sports and other activities for free at a reduced cost—without the red tape or social stigma. Read on to learn more about this generous group of volunteers and partner organizations below!?

And remember to check out our other NH Gives features from this week: GoodWork, Liberty House, and Volunteers in Medicine of New Hampshire.?

About The KEY Collective

KEY stands for the KEY to Empowering Youth—because, as they explain, their program partners, community validators, and donors/supporters make it possible for The KEY Collective to make a difference in kids’ lives!?

When Founder and Executive Director Kristyn LaFleur discovered how many families in the Seacoast community struggle to access activities outside school (e.g., sports, music lessons, and art lessons), she knew she wanted to make a difference. Kristyn had also learned about many local nonprofits working toward this common goal, so she decided to unite them.

#areuin? Card

The KEY Collective launched in 2017 with their #areuin? program, which “streamlines the eligibility process for obtaining scholarships and discounts for programs offered to students in youth sports and other related activities.” It is available in the Exeter, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Seabrook school districts.?

So, how does it work? Parents can easily sign up for the #areuin? card to enjoy scholarships and reduced pricing for numerous after-school activities and programs through their partner organizations, such as Hamptons Parks & Recreation, Prescott Park Arts Festival Camp ENCORE!, Portsmouth City Soccer Club, and many more.?

The KEY Collective’s goal is to give children equal access to these opportunities, regardless of financial status, and free of social stigma. That’s why they created this program so parents don’t have to fill out additional income/financial paperwork when registering their kids for activities through their program partners. The #areuin? Card automatically qualifies students for the programs!?

Parents and guardians can apply for the #areuin? card either online or via printed form, which can be mailed to The KEY Collective’s office. To qualify, families can:?

• Sign up with a photo of their current NH Medicaid Card
• Sign up with a photo of their current Federal Free & Reduced Lunch Acceptance Letter
• Have a qualified verifier (e.g., school nurse, social worker, counselor, etc.) refer them to the program

#areuin? Scholarship Program

Existing #areuin? card members can apply for the Singlar Family Foundation Scholarship Program. This offers card members access to out-of-school programs and activities from organizations that do not currently offer financial assistance (e.g., music lessons, karate, dance, art, STEM activities, etc.).

Members can apply for up to $200 annually for an out-of-school program or activity. If approved, The KEY Collective will pay the organization offering the program directly on the family’s behalf.?

Best of all, this scholarship is available in ADDITION to The KEY Collective’s partner programs. Members’ kids can participate in as many of these activities throughout the year as they desire!

Support The KEY Collective

Do you share in The KEY Collective’s mission to ensure all kids have an equal chance to participate in after-school activities and programs? Consider supporting them by making a donation or attending an annual event (their Summer Soiree is next Thursday, June 20th)!

If you’d like to get directly involved, the New Hampshire nonprofit also offers volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can help out at events or serve on a committee.?

The KEY Collective is also looking for new program partners, perfect for organizations that offer out-of-school programs and activities for youth in grades K-12. If you offer scholarships or discounted pricing to eligible families but would like to streamline the financial eligibility paperwork process, consider becoming an #areuin Program Partner!

Remember to follow The KEY Collective on Facebook or Instagram @thekeycollective_nh for updates on their events and initiatives!