Learning Innovation Grants

About this funding opportunity and what’s changed

GCF is investing boldly in the strategic areas that help communities flourish: education, housing, and community & cultural vibrancy. Over the next decade, GCF will make a historic $150 million investment across these areas, building a more vibrant and opportunity-rich region for all.

GCF is evolving its education strategy to make a deeper impact on student outcomes, in part by funding educators directly through this Request for Proposal (RFP). This refinement of our process is designed to make a deep, meaningful impact on academic outcomes.

In alignment with this vision, we are excited to launch Learning Innovation Grants. These grants are crafted to support educators and students during a time of significant changes in education funding and increased challenges. We have streamlined our former Mini-Grants for Kids RFP process, Learning Links, and Summertime Kids, to better directly serve educators and students. We have also doubled the size of the grant awards.

These funds are available through the generous and continuing support of the Charles H. Dater Foundation. For more than 20 years, the Dater Foundation has been a fantastic partner in our Mini-Grants for Kids program and now our Learning Innovation Grants program.

Learning Innovation Grants are also generously supported by GCF donors and volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to making these grants available to the community.

Who should apply:

This funding pool is for educators and groups of educators for enriching instruction, expanding programming, or supplementing resources at any time of year, in-school, out of school, or in the summer to promote the academic development of children and young adults. Educators for any subject area from any type of not-for-profit school (public, private, parochial, charter) are encouraged to apply.

While nonprofits that do not provide services directly to students in schools are not eligible for Learning Innovation Grants, there are other funding opportunities available from GCF to support programming through our Education and Community and Cultural Vibrancy focus areas. These opportunities will be posted to GCF’s funding opportunities page as they are available.

Use of Funds

Funding may be used for enriching instruction, expanding programming, or supplementing resources at any time of year, in-school, out of school, or in the summer.

The grant funds are for projects, purchase of instructional resources, or other learning experiences taking place in the summer of 2026 (June to August) or during the 2026-2027 school year.

Criteria

• Applicants must be classified as tax-exempt by the IRS, typically 501(c)(3) status or be classified as a government agency. If your school/organization is not a 501(c)(3), you may use a fiscal agent, but it must be identified in the application.
• Schools, educators, or organizations must be located or serving students in the Greater Cincinnati region, which includes the counties of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont (OH); Boone, Kenton, and Campbell (KY); and Dearborn (IN).
• Educators and organizations meeting the above criteria are welcome to apply; however, preference will be given to proposals that:
  • Directly serve students in schools that are in areas furthest from opportunities, both economically and socially.
  • Demonstrate emphasis on growing children’s and young people’s academic skills, learning engagement, and success.
  • Provide students’ families and/or communities with the opportunity to be involved in the learning process.

Learning Innovation Grants Timeline

Questions

GCF is here as a resource throughout this process. Contact Dr. Cindy Sanders, Director Education, Community Impact, at [email protected].

Questions about the Foundant system or process timeline can be directed to Asha Jones, Community Strategies Associate, at [email protected].