News & Event
Applications should address one of the following purposes:
Monday, October 22, by 5:00 p.m.
Download the Request for Proposal (RFP):
NKY Giving Circle
For more information, please contact Laura Menge at 513-768-6170 or email Laura.Menge@gcfdn.org.
April 2019
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” — Flora Edwards
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) believes that connecting people with purpose changes the lives of everyone involved. Giving circles — creative, interactive means of achieving that impact — bring like-minded people together to pool their resources, explore together how to best support causes they care about and, as a group, decide how to allocate their combined resources. GCF is increasing these hands-on opportunities for our donors with a variety of giving circles this year and will provide a match to each circle.
Participating in a giving circle can spur a sense of civic pride and energy, by fostering a heightened familiarity with the many — often unseen — organizations and people that are moving our region forward every day.
“This process, for me, was a chance to understand even deeper what is going on in the community and how to best support it,” NKY Giving Circle Chair Rebekah Gensler told Northern Kentucky Thrives.
Since 2017, GCF has convened three giving circles — focused on arts and culture, STEM education and Northern Kentucky youth — which engaged 34 donors and contributed more than $250,000 to 21 regional nonprofit organizations.
Our 2019 Giving Circles are forming now, and members will have the opportunity to determine the funding focus within the set topic of each circle. The opportunities include:
“Each giving circle is unique — reflective of its members’ perspectives and priorities,” said Phillip Lanham, GCF Vice President, Donor and Private Foundation Services. “The process generates new, creative connections to organizations and between members, who take away from the group experience a pride of place and a deepened sense of ownership in the progress of our community.”
To learn more about participating in a GCF giving circle, please contact Colleen McCarthy Blair, Director, Donors Services, at 513-768-6134 or colleen.blair@gcfdn.org.
February 2020
Cincinnati Black Giving Circle Grant Recipients (above)
Cincinnati Black Giving Circle members (above)
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), in partnership with its first Cincinnati Black Giving Circle, has awarded $100,000 in grants to four nonprofit organizations working to address racial inequities faced by emancipated youth, young children and single mothers in our region.
These four nonprofits will each receive $25,000:
The inaugural Cincinnati Black Giving Circle was formed as a result of GCF’s Giving Black: Cincinnati report, which explored both the rich legacy of black philanthropy in our region and the giving priorities and perspectives of black donors today. It provides hands-on impact, encouraging and leveraging organized giving by black donors to nonprofits serving critical needs faced by black residents in our communities.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the success of this first Cincinnati Black Giving Circle,” said GCF President/CEO Ellen M. Katz. “The passion and commitment of the members to drive the transformative impact of their generosity is truly inspiring.”
The Cincinnati Black Giving Circle’s steering committee met to collectively determine the focus of the grants and to seek proposal requests, which were then evaluated and voted on by the Giving Circle’s members.
This Giving Circle was one of five GCF Giving Circles convened in the past year, generating a total of $352,000 to benefit 29 nonprofit organizations in our community. GCF will partner in the formation of another Cincinnati Black Giving Circle this year.
Giving Circles bring together individuals who pool their charitable dollars and collectively decide which projects and nonprofits will be the recipients of the funds. GCF will match members’ contributions to make an even bigger impact.
GCF convened its first Giving Circle, for Vibrant Arts and Culture, in 2017. The 11 members — drawn by a common passion for the arts scene which enriches life in our community — met to evaluate applications for funding and determine the grantees. Combined with a match of GCF funds, their contributions enabled awards totaling $80,000 to 10 local nonprofits, including the Kennedy Heights Arts Center and Stepping Stones, Inc.
“I feel honored to have read all the applications and to work with the nonprofits who applied,” said Patti Heldman, co-chair of the Vibrant Arts and Culture Giving Circle.
This year GCF is offering two Giving Circle opportunities :
Both Giving Circles will convene this fall. To join with GCF and other donors sharing your goals to support these impactful initiatives, and for further information, please contact Laura Menge, Philanthropic Advisor, at 513-768-6170 or laura.menge@gcfdn.org.
December 2019
In keeping with our mission of connecting people with purpose, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) ramped up our commitment to offering Giving Circle opportunities this year. It’s an interactive game plan that brings like-minded people together to pool their resources, explore together how to support the causes they care about and, as a group, decide how to allocate their combined contributions with amplified impact.
GCF’s 2019 Giving Circles included:
The NEXT and Giving Black: Cincinnati Giving Circles will return next year. Stay tuned for updates on our 2020 Giving Circle opportunities.
Also, in a partnership with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, GCF has created a “Giving Challenge” for the 50 members of the Leadership NKY Class of 2020 with a $25,000 contribution. Members are also donating to the challenge to further amplify the grants they’ll collectively award to Northern Kentucky nonprofit organizations.
CINCINNATI (September 12, 2019) – Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s (GCF) 2019 Animal Welfare Giving Circle has awarded a total of $92,500 in grants to nine nonprofit organizations with initiatives and projects that protect, respect and nurture the well-being of pets, neglected animals and the entire animal kingdom. The grantees include:
Animal Friends Humane Society $10,000
Boone County Animal Care & Control $10,000
Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society $10,000
Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) of Cincinnati, Inc. $10,500
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati $7,000
League for Animal Welfare $10,500
Ohio Alleycat Resource and Spay/Neuter Clinic $14,000
Pets In Need of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. $10,000
Stray Animal Adoption Program $10,500
GCF provided a 2:1 match on the contributions made by giving circle participants.
“The Animal Welfare Giving Circle consists of GCF’s compassionate donors and community members who have a big heart for our furry friends,” said GCF Philanthropic Advisor Mary R. Pitcairn. “Whether it’s addressing overpopulation of stray animals or assisting with medical care, these funds will go a long way in helping our region’s pets and the humans who love them.”
The Animal Welfare Giving Circle is one of five GCF Giving Circle opportunities this year, including Northern Kentucky, Giving Black, Arts and Culture and the NEXT Fund for young people. Giving Circles provide hands-on opportunities to like-minded people to pool their resources, explore together how to best support causes they care about and, as a group, decided how to allocate their combined resources. Giving Circles foster a deepened sense of ownership in the progress of our community, and participants often develop ongoing relationships — with each other and with their grantee organizations.
To learn more about additional GCF 2019 Giving Circle opportunities, visit www.gcfdn.org/givingcircles.
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About Greater Cincinnati Foundation
As the region’s leading community foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation connects people with purpose in an eight-county region in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. GCF is leading the charge toward a more vibrant Greater Cincinnati for everyone — now, and for generations to come.
CINCINNATI (December 4, 2019) – Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s (GCF) 2019 Arts and Culture Giving Circle has awarded a total of $95,000 in grants to nine nonprofit organizations with “Creative Placemaking” projects, programming and cultural events that help transform communities into lively, inclusive and resilient places with arts at their core. Giving Circle participants placed a particular emphasis on local efforts that enhance the quality of life and help build relationships and opportunities for current community residents. GCF and nine generous donors combined resources to provide grants to the following organizations:
Art Central Foundation, Inc. $4,500
Art Opportunities Inc. $6,250
Clifton Cultural Arts Center $6,250
Contemporary Arts Center $8,000
Elementz $10,000
Kennedy Heights Arts Center $10,000
Pones Inc. $15,000
St. Aloysius Orphanage $10,000
Wave Pool: A Contemporary Art Fulfillment Center $25,000
“The Arts and Culture Giving Circle members took on a new focus with Creative Placemaking this year,” said GCF Senior Philanthropic Advisor Felicia Zakem. “Everyone involved has a passion for the arts in some form, but we all learned new ways the arts can be used to address specific challenges facing communities and produce positive outcomes for populations. We look forward to participating in the programs we helped to fund throughout the coming year.”
The Arts and Culture Giving Circle is one of five GCF Giving Circle opportunities this year, including Animal Welfare, Giving Black, Northern Kentucky and the NEXT Fund for young people. Giving Circles provide hands-on opportunities to like-minded people to pool their resources, explore together how to best support causes they care about and, as a group, decided how to allocate their combined resources. Giving Circles foster a deepened sense of ownership in the progress of our community, and participants often develop ongoing relationships — with each other and with their grantee organizations.