Funding Opportunities

For grant seekers

Apply for private foundation funding

Honoring passions, creating impact

GCF partners closely with private foundations to help them carry out their vision and create impact in our region.

Basic eligibility shared by all our private foundation partners:

Applicants must have an IRS determination as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
In most cases, organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area (Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana).
The foundations usually prefer to participate along with other donors in support of a specific project.
In most cases, an organization must wait 24 months after final payment of a grant or decline of an application before it is eligible to reapply. There is no wait period for declined LOIs.
Each private foundation GCF partners with is unique. To learn more about eligibility, funding priorities, and application processes, please visit each foundation’s page

Select a private foundation below to learn more.
If a deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, LOIs are due the next business day.

Support for the visually impaired

LOI Deadline: May 1 and October 1

Erma Bantz lived in Cincinnati for 95 years. She experienced diminished hearing and sight during her lifetime, inspiring her desire to help others who have had similar experiences.

Apply for funding from The Erma A. Bantz Foundation

Enhance the lives of Greater Cincinnatians

LOI Deadline: June 15 and December 1

Mary M. and Thomas J. Emery generously supported local cultural and educational institutions during their lifetimes. Mary Emery, whose generosity earned her the title “Cincinnati’s Lady Bountiful,” provided the inspiration and capital to build the model Village of Mariemont.

The Thomas J. Emery Memorial

Improving educational outcome

LOI Deadline: May 15

Established by Donald and Laura Harrison, the family foundation has creatively funded programs and facilities at Donald and Laura’s alma maters and has supported many local charitable organizations with educational missions.

Apply for funding from The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation

Fueling the performing arts

RFP Release: June 27
LOI Deadline: August 15

The David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation was established by David Herriman in 1986. After his death in 2017, the Fund received a significant portion of his estate and was restructured to provide responsive grants to regional performing arts organizations, aiming to “make possible what otherwise would be impossible.”

Apply for funding from The David C. Herriman Fund

Support individuals with disabilities up to 30yrs old

LOI Deadline: January 15 and May 15

Since 1994, The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation has supported programs for youth with disabilities and/or disadvantages to help them realize their full potential.

Apply for funding from The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

Support for small performing arts organizations

LOI Deadline: December 1 and June 15

A passionate supporter of the arts, Mr. Purdy was a Trustee of the Hartford Ballet. The Fund’s Advisors have committed to focusing on charitable initiatives in the performing arts within the Greater Cincinnati area, continuing Mr. Purdy’s philanthropic legacy.