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Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has awarded $400,000 in Creating Inclusive Communities grants to 16 nonprofit organizations within our tri-state region. Thanks to the generosity of GCF donors, each organization received a $25,000 grant.
CINCINNATI (April 23, 2020) — Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has awarded $400,000 in Creating Inclusive Communities grants to 16 nonprofit organizations within our tri-state region. Thanks to the generosity of GCF donors, each organization received a $25,000 grant.
GCF convened the Creating Inclusive Communities (CIC) Cohort of organizations working with those living with physical and developmental disabilities to learn from one another to drive the creation of inclusive communities. They were invited to submit applications for GCF’s invitation-only Request for Proposals (RFP) by April 10, with funding to be received in June.
The coronavirus pandemic changed the focus. GCF responded to the urgent shift in needs of the cohort organizations by repurposing and immediately distributing the CIC grants to meet immediate challenges caused by COVID-19.
“Through discussions with the CIC cohort members, we were able to pivot quickly to provide support where it’s most needed right now,” said Ellen M. Katz, GCF President/CEO. “During this time of crisis, that flexibility is even more critical to the equitable well-being of our community.”
The grantees are:
Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding
Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
Easterseals
Envision Ohio
Ken Anderson Alliance
LADD, Inc.
Melodic Connections
Redwood
St. Joseph Home
Starfire
Stepping Stones
The Point Arc
University of Cincinnati Advancement and Transition Services
Visionaries+Voices
CINCINNATI (April 25, 2018) — The Greater Cincinnati Foundation recently awarded $255,000 in grants to 17 local nonprofits to drive greater belonging, independence and authorship with and for people with disabilities. All grants awarded were made in partnership with GCF donors past and present.
GCF is hosting these organizations for a year-long learning journey and challenging them to seek collaborative solutions to maximize impact. In partnership with the nonprofit social innovation firm, Design Impact, organizations are participating in 1,334 hours of training and dialogue to change their approaches and learn from one another.
“The idea of a person with a disability fully belonging to their community, we have big barriers to that,” said Dan Connors, CEO, St. Joseph Home. “We need to think differently about how we’re going to solve this problem.”
The priorities for this funding cycle include strengthening partnerships, building a community of belonging and redefining the way things have always been done. The priorities were created in conjunction with the participating organizations. Each nonprofit received a $15,000 in support to test their innovative concepts as well as a series of trainings throughout the year.
Examples include:
“We’re always asked to show the efficacy of what we’re doing when we need funding,” said Rob Seideman, CTRH’s executive director. “So we rely on those things that we do well. But if we’re going to work with people in new ways, we need to change what we’re doing. And that’s what’s so great about this opportunity.”
More than $25,000 awarded in this grant cycle represent donor co-investments.
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“It is an honor to work side by side with these experts in their field who are so passionate about figuring out new ways to create even more meaningful lives for those they exist to serve,” said Molly Robertshaw, GCF program officer.
“This funding effort represents GCF’s interest in being a nimble and innovative partner for nonprofits,” said Ellen M. Katz, president/CEO. “We want to help our community to build a region where everyone can thrive.”
As the region’s leading community foundation, the 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. As of 2017, GCF is the 35th largest U.S. community foundation with net assets of $636 million.
View full list of nonprofits receiving grants [PDF]
CINCINNATI (August 22, 2019) — Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has awarded nearly $445,000 in Supporting Educational Success grants to 19 nonprofit organizations within its eight-county region.
These grants support innovative in- and out-of-school educational programs that reduce disparities in educational attainment or that increase social emotional learning and health for students of color and/or those of low socioeconomic status. Funding can be used to maintain, expand or strengthen existing programs, enact capital improvements, launch a new program or build organizational capacity.
“Our Supporting Educational Success grant recipients have demonstrated that their innovative initiatives positively influence educational outcomes for our youth,” said Ellen M. Katz, GCF President/CEO. “On behalf of our generous donors, we are proud to invest in the work they do, as it is foundational to creating a more equitable region for all.”
Grantees and their awarded amounts are:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County
$14,500 for Site Based Mentoring Program at Woodland Elementary School
Bonds of Union $25,000 for Ascend Initiative at Bond Hill Academy
Breakthrough Cincinnati $20,000 for College Ready: Breakthrough Cincinnati 2019 Summer Scholars Program
Central Clinic Behavioral Health
$25,000 for Increasing Social-Emotional Learning and Educational Success
Chatfield College $25,000* for Education in the Gateway: Chatfield College Co-remediation Program
Children’s Home of Cincinnati
$25,000* for Youth Thrive: Promoting Protective Factors for Students
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
$30,000* for Jobs For Cincinnati Graduates Middle School Program
Covington Partners
$25,000 for Work Based Mentoring
DePaul Cristo Rey High School $25,000* for All In @ 10
Elementz
$19,000* for Urban Art Instruction to improve Student Achievement Outcomes in Under-performing Inner-city School
Envision Children
$25,000 for Catch Every Child (CEC)
Healthy Visions
$25,000* for SEL Equity Program
James W. Miller Memorial Fund
$25,000 for Building Resiliency in Schools
Junior Achievement of OKI Partners, Inc. $25,000 for Inspire Career Exploration, Produced by Junior Achievement in collaboration with community partners
Mentoring Plus
$25,000 for Mentoring Plus-Mentoring and Case Management
Notre Dame Urban Education Center
$25,000 for Transforming Families through Literacy
Saint Joseph Orphanage
$20,000 for Social Emotional Learning Toolkit: Suite 360
St. Aloysius Orphanage
$25,000 for Implementation of Social and Emotional Learning at St. Al’s to Increase Academic Success
WordPlay Cincy
$15,000* for WORDlab: A Reading Intervention Program at Chase Elementary
*Grant amplified by the support of donors’ co-investment.
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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 (April 29, 2020) — Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has awarded $187,277 in Summertime Kids grants to 175 regional nonprofit organizations. Thanks to the generosity of GCF donors and the continuing support of the Charles H. Dater Foundation, each organization received a grant of up to $1,000 to help fund enriching, fun programs for youth to promote learning during the summer months.
From Behringer-Crawford Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County and Clermont Family YMCA to Inner City Youth Opportunities and Saint Aloysius Orphanage, the organizations encompass GCF’s tri-state region. In all, 190 programs were funded; each organization was invited to submit up to two applications for either two different programs or the same program in different locations.
Summertime Kids programming is intended to introduce children to new experiences and help reduce summer learning loss, particularly for youth with the greatest need. That’s especially critical this year, with children having to learn at home this spring due to coronavirus pandemic school closures.
The funding is for programs taking place between June 1 and Sept. 4. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, GCF is providing flexibility as to how they are administered. Programming shifts to accommodate the children being served can include, but are not limited to:
“Because of the disruptions and challenges to the learning process for children throughout the tri-state, the role of Summertime Kids in supporting educational opportunities is more critical than ever,” said Rickell Howard Smith, GCF Senior Director, Community Strategies. “We know that these organizations will effectively and creatively respond to the needs of the youth in their programs.”
For the complete list of Summertime Kids grantees, visit www.gcfdn.org/summertimekids2020.
CINCINNATI (April 6, 2020) — Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has awarded $880,000 in Providing a Safety Net for Individuals and Families grants to 20 nonprofit organizations within our eight-county, tri-state region.
Providing a Safety Net funding focuses on investments ensuring that vulnerable residents of our community have access to food and shelter, along with well-integrated, trauma-informed mental health services. Preference is given to organizations that develop solutions through a racial equity lens.
“These needs preceded the urgent demands brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, but now they are rising daily to an unprecedented level,” said Ellen M. Katz, GCF President/CEO. “This support is even more critical to the well-being of our shared community.”
Bethany House Services, Inc. $50,000 for Comprehensive Shelter Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness
Brighton Center, Inc. $50,000 for Family Support with Emphasis on Serving Hispanic/Latino Families
Caracole, Inc. $50,000 for Caracole Housing Programs
City Gospel Mission $35,000 for Food and Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness
Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home dba DCCH Center for Children and Families $40,000 for Residential Treatment and Trauma-Informed Mental Health Services for Survivors of Child Abuse
Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky Inc. $50,000 to Build into Emergency Winter Shelter 2020-2021
First Step Home $50,000 for First Step Home Family Unity Center
Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services $50,000 for Take a Stand for Mental Health Campaign: Quality housing ensures access to mental health services
Hope House Rescue Mission, Inc. $35,000 for Emergency Shelter and Homeless Services
Inter Parish Ministry $50,000 for Building Food Security for Families in Need by Expanding Access to Fresh Food
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati $50,000 for Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati (IHNGC) Housing Support for Families
Joseph House Inc. $50,000 for New Treatment Pathways for Veterans
Lighthouse Youth and Family Services $50,000 for Sheakley Center for Youth
Lydia’s House Inc. $20,000 for Housing and Integrated Support Services for Women and Children Experiencing Homelessness
Our Daily Bread $30,000 for Soup Kitchen
People Working Cooperatively, Inc. $50,000 for PWC Level 1 Emergency Services
ProKids $35,000 for ProKids Steps to Peace
St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati $50,000 for Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP)
Welcome House of Northern Kentucky $35,000 for Welcome House of Northern Kentucky Shelter for Homeless Women and Children
YWCA of Greater Cincinnati Inc. $50,000 for YWCA’s Domestic Violence Shelter Program
Cincinnati Public Schools is aiming to increase third grade reading proficiency of students’ district-wide from 45 percent to 90 percent by 2020.
CINCINNATI (August 14, 2017) —The Greenlight Fund, in partnership with The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, announced today a multi-million-dollar initiative to fight family poverty in our region. Together, they are investing $2.4 million to bring the Family Independence Initiative—and its innovative model of trusting and investing in family solutions—to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. This includes a $1.8 million grant from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation and its donors, the single largest grant in the history of the Foundation.
“We know that thousands of families are struggling with poverty, and we need to rethink how we invest in families and their upward mobility,” said Tara Noland, Executive Director of GreenLight Cincinnati. “We are excited to have the Family Independence Initiative bring their model to our region and learn from their data on what Cincinnati families in our community need to escape poverty.”
“As our region’s community foundation, our role is to create a community where everyone can thrive,” said Ellen M. Katz, president and CEO of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. “Our region is literally bursting with new energy and progress, yet we still have many in need. GCF and its donors are seeking new and innovative programs to help families in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky who have yet to benefit from that progress. FII is one such program and we’re excited to ensure we can rapidly deploy FII in our community.”
Founded in 2001, The Family Independence Initiative brings a new approach to fighting poverty by trusting and investing directly in low-income families across the nation so they can work individually and collectively to achieve prosperity. Families that partner with FII set goals they want to achieve, such as purchasing a home or continuing their education, and work together to help each other meet those goals. FII provides them with the technology platform to track their progress and then gives them access to resources, including cash, to accelerate the solutions that they’ve discovered themselves.
With sites in seven cities across the country, FII has partnered with more than 2,000 families investing in their solutions to escaping poverty. On average, during two years of engagement with FII, families report: a 23 percent increase in monthly income, 60 percent decrease in subsidies such as TANF and SNAP, a doubling of their annual income and assets, and increased education outcomes from their children.
Over the next four years, FII will work with community based organizations and other partners to reach 500 families in multiple neighborhoods across Cincinnati. They will be convening a launch team to help identify the neighborhoods they should focus on as well as families they should recruit.
“All families across America should have access to the resources and opportunities needed to achieve their dreams and we look forward to doing just that right here in the region,” said Jesús Gerena, Chief Executive Officer of The Family Independence Initiative. “While our initial goal is to reach 500 families, we hope to find more partners to double or triple that goal. Cincinnati benefits when all its families are economically thriving.”
In addition to the multi-year investment made by the Greenlight Fund and The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, FII’s expansion to Cincinnati is also supported by contributions from The Mayerson Foundation and SC Ministry.
Learn more about GCF's investment in the Family Independence Initiative
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The GreenLight Fund transforms the lives of children, youth and families in high-poverty urban areas by creating local infrastructure and a consistent annual process to: identify critical needs; import innovative, entrepreneurial programs that have a significant, measurable impact; and galvanize local support to help programs reach and sustain impact in the new city. Working in Boston since 2003, Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area since 2012, Cincinnati since 2015 and most recently Charlotte in 2017, GreenLight aims to grow a national network of GreenLight sites that learn and work collaboratively to find and spread proven nonprofit solutions that achieve meaningful and measurable impact in our communities on the issues that matter most. Founding investors in GreenLight Cincinnati include the Deaconess Associations Foundation, Bethesda Inc., the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Interact for Health, Procter and Gamble, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s, Duke Energy Foundation, the Cincinnati Business Committee, Bank of America and a number of individual investors.
One of the nation’s leading community foundations, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation helps people make the most of their giving to build a better community. We believe in the power of philanthropy to change the lives of people and communities. As an accredited community foundation, GCF creates a prosperous Greater Cincinnati by investing in thriving people and vibrant places. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1963, the Foundation inspires philanthropy in eight counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. At the end of 2016, GCF had net assets of $563 million.