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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
All CPS students can have free broadband internet service from Cincinnati Bell through Connect Our Students program
CINCINNATI (August 25, 2020) — The Connect Our Students program has met its goal to provide free broadband internet access through Cincinnati Bell to every Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) student for the 2020-21 school year. The volunteer-led initiative primarily is funded by Accelerate Great Schools in partnership with GE Aviation; Fifth Third Foundation; Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee; Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF); and donors across the region.
One out of four CPS families don’t have broadband internet access at home. This equates to roughly 3,500 families and 8,500 children for whom school became inaccessible when education shifted online last spring at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This digital divide disproportionally affects Black and Latinx students.
“The Fifth Third Foundation is dedicated to supporting those who are in need, especially during times of distress,” said Heidi Jark, senior vice president and managing director of the Foundation Office. “We are closing the staggering digital divide by joining other organizations in providing broadband internet access – an educational necessity – to our local students.”
CPS recently announced that the district will have distance learning for at least the first five weeks of the upcoming school year and that all Pre-K through 12th-grade students will have devices. Students in grades pre-K through 1 will receive an iPad. Older students will receive laptops. Every CPS family can sign up for the Connect Our Students program. More than 1,700 CPS students have been provided internet service through the program so far.
“The digital divide is an especially challenging obstacle for urban school districts. We are grateful to all of the wonderful organizations and donors who have contributed to the Connect Our Students program, ensuring every child in our CPS family is able to effectively learn in a distance environment,” shared Laura Mitchell, superintendent of CPS. “We encourage all CPS families who don't have internet access in their homes today, to call and sign up immediately. If you've recently moved, please ensure your contact information is updated in our system by calling your school or our customer service line at 513-363-0123.”
Tens of thousands of public school students in Greater Cincinnati do not have reliable computers and broadband internet connections. After a successful pilot program this summer, Connect Our Students will improve digital equity through its partnership with Cincinnati Bell, which is providing low-cost internet connectivity to students across the region (less than $17/month or $200/year). Thanks to the generosity of the community, CPS families will get the service for free for one year, with no installation or equipment fees.
After signing up, families can install the service themselves or request a technician to install it for them in a matter of days. Cincinnati Bell will not hold past balances against any family. The service includes measures to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act to limit access to harmful content and ensure the safety of children.
“The digital divide widens opportunity gaps between students across Cincinnati. Without internet access at home, students lose valuable learning time during this period of distance learning," explains Brian Neal, CEO of the Cincinnati-based non-profit Accelerate Great Schools. "This initiative will help ensure that all Cincinnati students have equal access to remote learning this school year.”
“When generous organizations and people come together, we are a force to be reckoned with,” said Ellen M. Katz, president/CEO of GCF. “Thank you to the Fifth Third Foundation; Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee; Accelerate Great Schools; and our donors for creating an equitable playing field for our children.”
To sign up, call Cincinnati Bell’s dedicated Connect Our Students line at 513-566-3895.
Connect Our Students also is funded by The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. U.S. Bank Foundation; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Interact for Health; Strive Partnership; American Sound and Electronics; Difference Maker Legacy Fund; United Way of Greater Cincinnati; Cincinnati Regional Business Committee; the Giovani Bernard Family Foundation; and Jenny and Tom Williams.
If you are interested in supporting this initiative, visit connectourstudents.org to donate to support parent outreach and technology support for CPS families.
About Accelerate Great Schools
Accelerate Great Schools (AGS) is a non-profit with the mission to ensure every student in Cincinnati – regardless of zip code – has access to great schools. Since 2015, AGS has invested in district, Archdiocesan, and high-quality, non-profit charter schools to ensure all families have great school options. GE Aviation provides funding to Accelerate Great Schools to support district investments.
About The Fifth Third Foundation
Established in 1948, the Fifth Third Foundation was one of the first philanthropic foundations established by a financial institution. The Fifth Third Foundation supports worthwhile organizations in the areas of education, health and human services, community development and the arts.
About Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee
Created in 1903, the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee, supports charitable or educational purposes; for relief in sickness, suffering and distress; for the care of young children, the aged or the helpless or afflicted; for the promotion of education, and to improve living conditions.
As the region’s leading community foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) 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 Public Schools is aiming to increase third grade reading proficiency of students’ district-wide from 45 percent to 90 percent by 2020.