Grants for Kids

Grants for KidsGCF has two special programs designed to fund innovative education projects for children during the school year and in the summer. Grants for Kids programs are made possible through the generous support of GCF’s donors and continued support from the Charles H. Dater Foundation. Helping these “small but mighty” programs is an example of how GCF makes a difference as a steward of the community’s resources.

What's New?

4/5/12: 
  • 2012-13 Learning Links grant application (PDF or Microsoft Word). More information about Learning Links is available below. 
  • The application deadline for 2012 Summertime Kids grants has passed. 
  • Download the 2011-2012 Learning Links Grant Evaluation formavailable as a PDF  or Word document 

What is Learning Links?
Since 1993, Learning Links has provided grants of up to $1,000 for creative and interesting programs or events for classrooms in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Who is eligible?
Full-time schools serving students in any or all grades from kindergarten through the twelfth grade are eligible. Schools must be in GCF's eight-county service area: Butler, Clermont, Hamilton or Warren in Ohio; Boone, Campbell or Kenton in Kentucky; or Dearborn County in Indiana.

When and how can my school apply?
Application forms will be available by mail and here on our Web site during the months of February, March and April. The application must be completed by a school staff member and approved by the principal. The deadline will be noted on the form.

How does it work?
A volunteer committee reviews applications and makes funding decisions. Applicants may visit this Web site in late summer to view a list of selected schools and projects. The selected applicants will be awarded grants by mail in September. The grants will be mailed to the attention of the Grant Project Leader at the school address.  An evaluation report will be required from all recipients following completion of the project. All schools must have submitted an evaluation report for grants received the following year in order to be eligible for consideration.

2012-2013 Grant Process
Applications for the Learning Links grants are now being accepted for the 2012-2013 school year

  • Download the application as a PDF  or as a Word Document 
  • Please note: There is a limit to one Learning Links application per school.

What happens if my application is chosen to receive a Learning Links grant?
For those receiving a grant - the project leader grant packet will be mailed in September to the school address. If your school project is on the 2012-2013 award list and you have not received your Learning Links grant by the end of September, please contact Karen at (513) 241-2880.

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What is Summertime Kids?
Summertime Kids grants provide support for programs that are enriching and fun for children during the summer months. Grants of up to $1,000 are available to nonprofit organizations that are working with the young people of our community. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, a school or church and be in one of GCF's eight counties: Butler, Clermont, Hamilton or Warren in Ohio; Boone, Campbell or Kenton in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.

How does it work?
A volunteer committee reviews applications and makes funding decisions. Chosen applicants will be notified by mail at the end of May. An evaluation report will be required from all recipients following completion of their project.

2012 Summertime Kids Grant Process

  • The deadline for the 2012 Summertime Kids Grants has now passed. 

2011 Summertime Kids Grants

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Grants for Kids turns 20

Grants for Kids is now celebrating 20 years! The first grants were given in 1991 for Summertime Kids and were expanded the next year to include Learning Links.

In the last 20 years, Summertime Kids has awarded more than 2,000 grants, totaling nearly $2 million. 

Learning Links has given more than 2,500 grants for a total of $2 million since 1992.

Special thanks to the many volunteers have helped in the grantmaking process over the years. More than 600 volunteers have helped in the Grants for Kids process. That makes 4,500 volunteer hours!

Thank you to the following individuals who helped select our 2012 Summertime Kids grant projects

Tanya Armour – Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Julie A. Broadwell – US Bank Private Client Group
Angela Dodd - PNC
Cynthia Henderson – Quadrant Partners
Pamela King – Urban League of Greater Cincinnati
Patrick Lafley – Quadrant Partners
Roberta (Robbie) Michelman – Community Volunteer & Donor
Bill Montague – Frost, Brown, Todd LLC
Priscilla O’Donnell – Community Volunteer & Donor
Zach Pierson – Johnson Investment Counseling
Jacqueline Potts – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gr. Cincinnati
Michael Taylor – Wells Fargo Advisors
Jody Weber – Center for Great Neighborhoods
Kelly Wittich – UBS Financial

GCF Staff Participants:
Lori Beiler
Meghan Cummings
Jennie Geisheimer
Barb Linder
Ray Watson