Semi-Finalists Announced for Scripps Howard Foundation Literacy Grants

January 31, 2018

CINCINNATI (January 31, 2018) — Ten local nonprofits are now in the running for a total of $150,000 in grants to support childhood literacy initiatives in impoverished neighborhoods in the Tristate.

Earlier this year, Scripps Howard Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation and WCPO 9 On Your Side invited local nonprofits to apply for $150,000 in family literacy grants. The organizations will announce a maximum of five finalists on March 15 and the winner of the $100,000 grant on April 19.

A grant of $100,000 will be awarded to a single nonprofit that empowers parents with skills, confidence and tools to help their children develop emergent literacy and language skills. The program must be ongoing, serve families living in poverty and develop deep relationships with parents. A grant of $50,000 will be awarded to a finalist.

Winners will be announced during the Scripps Howard Awards, the prestigious annual journalism recognition program presented by Scripps Howard Foundation, at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati on April 19.

Interested nonprofits submitted their letters of intent earlier this month. Representatives from each funding organization reviewed those forms and narrowed the field to 10.

The selected nonprofits have until Feb. 21 to submit a full grant application:

  • Bellevue Independent Schools
  • Brighton Center, Inc.
  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
  • Cincinnati Early Learning Centers
  • FamiliesFORWARD
  • Melodic Connections
  • Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission
  • Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Foundation
  • The Children’s Home of Cincinnati, Inc.
  • YWCA Greater Cincinnati

The grant applications will detail how the organizations will work with parents to foster their children’s language skills from birth through preschool. In their first three years, children begin learning concepts that will aid them in learning to read. During this time, it’s important for children to begin developing vocabulary. Parents can foster emergent literacy by reading books to their children, talking to children, teaching them songs and other activities to prepare them to read and write. WCPO 9 On Your Side will live stream the Scripps Howard Awards show on its website April 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern time.

About the Scripps Howard Foundation

The Scripps Howard Foundation supports philanthropic causes important to The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) and the communities it serves, with a special emphasis on excellence in journalism. At the crossroads of the classroom and the newsroom, the Foundation is a leader in supporting journalism education, literacy and First Amendment causes. The Scripps Howard Awards stand as one of the industry’s top honors for outstanding journalism. The Foundation improves lives and helps build thriving communities. It partners with Scripps brands to create awareness of local issues and supports impactful organizations to drive solutions.

About The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

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 a 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.

About The Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture. Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.