Boots on the Ground

In partnership with the City of Cincinnati and with generous support from additional funders, more than $750,000 will be available in grants of up to $25,000 each. Proposals are encouraged from small, community rooted organizations with operating budgets under $1 million that actively involve community members in their decision-making and elevate the perspectives of those most directly affected by the issues they address.

Funding focus

The Boots on the Ground Fund seeks to provide support to organizations that have demonstrated experience and aim to address:

• Homelessness prevention and access to affordable housing
• Access to affordable, healthy foods – reduction of food deserts
• Access to healthcare and public health
• Workforce development
• Youth development
• Youth gun violence reduction and prevention
• Mental and behavioral health, including substance use services

The focus areas listed above are flexible and in response to community needs.

Use of funds

• Funding may be used to support, expand, or strengthen existing programs; launch new initiatives; or build organizational capacity. Collaboration among organizations is strongly encouraged.
• Funding will not be awarded for campaigns, capital campaigns, or special events.

Eligibility requirements

• Applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS, typically holding 501(c)(3) status or operating as a government agency.
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply with a fiscal sponsor; the fiscal sponsor must be identified in the application.
• Applicants must have an annual operating budget under $1 million.
• Proposed programs or projects must directly benefit residents within the City of Cincinnati.

Preference will be given to applications demonstrating:

• A focus on creating welcoming environments, elevating community voice, and engaging a broad range of community changemakers
• Clear and measurable outcomes or SMART Goals
  • Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound
• Strong partnerships and alignment with broader community efforts
• Reflections and learnings from past experience
• Asset-based approaches within the funding focus areas

Please note: Organizations that received a 2025 Boots on the Ground Fund grant are not eligible to apply in this round.

Application checklist

Before you begin

1. Access GCF’s online grantmaking system, Foundant, at: www.gcfdn.org/Foundant
2. Create a new account or log in to an existing account
   • For technical assistance, please contact Asha Jones, Community Strategies Associate, at [email protected].
3. Select “Boots on the Ground Application”

Application submission

1. Complete all required fields in the online application
2. Submit the full application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026

Required uploads (All three must be included)

1. Project Budget
2. Income Statement and Balance Sheet / Organizational Budget
   • Or most recent Form 990, if applicable
3. Board List

Deadline

To be considered for funding, proposals must be submitted by Friday, March 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Boots on the Ground timeline