Women's Fund Grants

The Women's Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Our very first grants were awarded in 2004 when The Women’s Connection, The Girl Scouts, 4C and a few others were selected to receive a total of $35,000 in awards. We learned so much from that process because many of you helped us think about grant making in new and innovative ways. From the beginning, we have focused on systemic change that will, in time, yield impact for our entire region.

Through the generosity of our donors, more than $750,000 has been granted to Greater Cincinnati programs and projects that help women. 

Grant Opportunities

Mini-Grants

The mini-grant ($500 - $1,500) cycle funds organizations that provide services and programming to improve the lives and economic status of women and girls in the Greater Cincinnati region. Our grants focus on supporting systemic efforts to improve women’s incomes, job security and their ability to provide adequately for themselves and their families, and on providing opportunities for educators to fund creative and interesting girls’leadership programs.

The 2013 Grant Cycle is now open:
  • Download the application for "Grow Strong Girls through Leadership 2013-2014: Grants for Girls’ Leadership Programs for Schools" as a Microsoft Word document .
    Deadline: Applications accepted through Friday, April 26, 2013. 
  • Download the application for "2013 Grants for Women’s Economic Self-sufficiency" as a Microsoft Word document .
    Deadline: Applications accepted through Friday, April 26, 2013. 

Become a Grant Reviewer

Our Mini-Grants are selected by a panel of trained volunteers who read and review the submissions. Learn more about their experience. Are you interested in becoming a grant reviewer in 2013? Contact Barb Linder at linderb@gcfdn.org.

The Cincinnati Business and Professional Women's Scholarship Fund

These scholarships were established by the Cincinnati Chapter of Business and Professional Women in 1999 to assist women aged 25 or older who are starting or returning to school for an associate or baccalaureate degree at an accredited regional school. It is one of the only scholarship funds for adult women.Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and potential, financial need and the quality of the application. More than 50 women have been helped through this fund. The scholarship application window opens in the spring each year.

Past Grants

2012 Grant Recipients

Women's Fund grants

Self-Sufficiency:

  • Interfaith Hospitality Network for transportation
  • The Advance Network for the Get Learning project
  • Dress for Success for financial literacy
  • Vision Community Services for financial literacy
  • Cincinnati Union Bethel for ALI temporary rental assistance
  • Santa Maria for child development associate certifications
  • Family Healing Center for the Jobs for Life program

Girls’ Leadership:

  • Young Women Writing for a Change at Withrow, Western Hills and Woodward
  • Frederick Douglass School Leading Ladies program
  • Winton Woods High School girls robotics team

2011 Grant Recipients 

The Grow Strong Girls through Leadership 2010-2011 grant program allowed educators to apply for funds for girls’ leadership programs in Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Dearborn County in Indiana; and Campbell, Boone and Kenton counties in Kentucky.

2010 Grant Recipients 

Close the Gap

  • Cincinnati Works $15,000 
  • Hard Hatted Women $15,500 
  • Lighthouse Youth Services $15,000 
  • Mercy Neighborhood Ministries $15,500 
  • Santa Maria Community Services $15,000 
  • Support to Encourage Low-income Families $12,500 
  • Urban Appalachian Council $12,000 
  • Welcome House of Northern Kentucky $16,000 
  • Women's Connection $15,000

Developing Women and Girls Leadership

  • Six $1,000 Scholarships BPW Scholarships

Grow Strong Girls

  • Roll Hill High School $1,055
  • Ursuline Academy $1,500
  • Holmes Alternative School $1,500
  • Norwood Middle School $1,485

2009 Grant Recipients 

Assess Progress

  • Updating the PULSE $7,600

Close the Gap

  • ACT $25,000 
  • Cincinnati Works $15,000 
  • Lighthouse Youth Services $14,100 
  • Metro $18,150 
  • Santa Maria $10,000 
  • SELF $12,500 
  • St. Vincent DePaul $10,000 
  • The Advance Network $10,000 
  • University of Cincinnati $10,000 
  • YWCA Women in Charge $20,000

Developing Women and Girls Leadership

  • Alcoholism Council of the Cincinnati Area $4,995, Nan Franks
  • Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio Region $3,558, Becki Brenner
  • Six $1,000 Scholarships BPW Scholarships

2008 Grant Recipients 

Close the Gap 

  • Cincinnati Works $10,000 
  • Clermont Counseling Center $15,000 
  • Emanuel Community Center $10,000 
  • Mercy Franciscan St John's $15,300
  • Rosie's Girls $15,000
  • SELF $12,500
  • Women's Crisis Center $12,500
Developing Women and Girls Leadership 
  • Five $1,500 BPW Scholarships 
  • Ronald McDonald House $6,500

Questions?

If you have questions about Women’s Fund grants, please e-mail Vanessa Freytag or call 513-768-6123.