Connecting People with Purpose
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. We are nimble, resourceful, and community driven. We are leading the charge toward a more vibrant Greater Cincinnati for everyone — now, and for generations to come.
Change is sparked when people come together — in partnership, collaboration and generosity. Our role is to align the right players. Then, coordinate their efforts and contributions in a way that creates the most substantial impact. This change starts with you.
Since 1963, we have been inspired by your passion and generosity – it fuels our work. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our community.
Our History
In 1963, a group of Greater Cincinnati business people became captivated by the success community foundations in other cities were enjoying. They decided to bring that success to Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, the board of the Fresh Air and Convalescent Aid Society, founded in 1884 as an organization that gave women and children living in crowded tenements an opportunity to escape cramped living quarters for two weeks in the summer, realized its mission had become outdated.
Soon after, The Fresh Air and Convalescent Aid Society disbanded. In need of an alternative charitable use for its $600,000 endowment, local business leaders and the Fresh Air Board came together in search of a solution. Greater Cincinnati Foundation was born, and The Fresh Air and Convalescent Aid Society’s funding became GCF’s first unrestricted fund.

Brand Hub
For over 55 years, we have been leading our community and addressing the region’s greatest needs.
Promise
Amplifying the power and potential giving.
Positioning
Greater Cincinnati Foundation empowers lasting and meaningful impact by putting you at the center of our region’s most pivotal developments.
Logos
Download our logos below. For questions about logo types or press releases, contact our Marketing team at marketing@gcfdn.org or call 513-241-2880.
When possible, please link our logo to www.gcfdn.org.



“It’s critically important that people get exposed to this. The injustice is causing people to wake up, but there is still so much more to learn.”- Aprina Johnson, local artist and participant of Racial Equity Matters, presented by bi3
Read more about Soapbox Cincinnati's Special Report that highlights participants experiences in Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s Racial Equity Matters series. http://ow.ly/P8fP50DRuEQ
The Greater Cincinnati region is not omitted from the notion of bias policing, police reform and misconduct. We have our past. However, we also have several opportunities to make equitable changes in racial justice initiatives. Learn more about those opportunities: http://ow.ly/lV4A50DN6Re
With each inciting event, the cycle begins again. Dialogue resurfaces, people gather and donations flood in. Read about the plans Mel Gravely, CEO of TriVersity Construction, has on how to move the needle in the Greater Cincinnati region. https://www.gcfdn.org/news/disrupting-cycles/
Looking for a rewarding career fueled by purpose? Place and purpose drive our mission, so Greater Cincinnati Foundation may be the place for you!
We are looking for a Senior Director, Community Strategies to provide executive leadership and strategic vision that advances GCF’s community leadership work and commitment to addressing equity issues. Apply at www.gcfdn.org/careers
#Hiring #StrongerTogether
“There’s so much that goes on in the world. You’ve got your blinders on. But when you go through these trainings, you get real examples. It makes you question your own thought process.”- Paul Haffner, CEO of Lighthouse Youth & Family Services and participant of Racial Equity Matters, presented by bi3
Read more about Soapbox Cincinnati's Special Report that highlights participants experiences in Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s Racial Equity Matters series. http://ow.ly/8gQz50DJPeA
The First 28 Series, in collaboration with The Voice of Black Cincinnati, celebrates Black Cincinnatians who were the first in their fields. Cincinnati native Jennie Porter established the Harriet Beecher Stowe school in 1914 and was the first Black woman principal in Cincinnati. Porter was also the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. from University of Cincinnati. Read below for more of Porter's many accomplishments. #BlackHistoryMonth
Reminder: The Request for Proposal applications for the Summertime Kids grants are due on Monday, March 1. These grants are made possible through generous support of GCF’s donors and continued support from the Charles H. Dater Foundation. Summer programs featuring creative educational content or events for students are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit: http://ow.ly/uJ6n50DJ6pp
We honor Black History every day but especially during Black History Month. GCF is partnering with The Voice of Black Cincinnati to highlight Black individuals who have made a true difference in their respective fields. Today, we celebrate Wendell Dabney Jr. (1865-1952). Originally from Virginia, Dabney moved to Cincinnati in 1894 and was the first Black city paymaster and first president of the Cincinnati NAACP. Read below for more of Dabney's achievements. #BlackHistoryMonth
The First 28 Series, in collaboration with The Voice of Black Cincinnati, celebrates Black Cincinnatians who were the first in their fields. Loretta C. Manggrum was the first African American to earn a degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music - CCM. She graduated at the age of 57 with a Master of Music. Read below to learn more about Manggrum’s accomplishments. #BlackHistoryMonth
The First 28 series, in collaboration with The Voice of Black Cincinnati, celebrates Black Cincinnatians who were the first in their fields. Theodore M. Berry (1904-2000) was the first Black mayor of Cincinnati. He was elected in 1972 and served for four years. There are several monuments to Berry throughout Cincinnati. Read below to learn more about Mayor Berry's many accomplishments. #BlackHistoryMonth