With each inciting event, the cycle begins again. Dialogue resurfaces, people gather and plan, donations flood in – and tomorrow’s news takes over once again.
Last summer, Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) was able to secure laptop devices for each student needing a way to connect to upcoming remote learning. Connecting those devices proved another issue.
The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and several others in 2020 highlighted a long history of community and police tension across the nation.
Donisha Collis, Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s Director, Talent and Culture, is a Cincinnati native and received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Northern Kentucky University. She lives in the Monfort Heights neighborhood and says, “I love Cincinnati! I’ve lived here for almost my entire life. My favorite things about Cincinnati are the chili and the Bengals. Who Dey!”
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is hiring and promoting leaders to advance its racial equity mission from the inside out. The Foundation recognizes the power of Black professionals and is committed to ensuring that its staff reflects the diversity of the region and can authentically carry out its mission.
It’s that time of the year again for schools and nonprofit organizations to submit their applications for Summertime Kids and Learning Links grants.
The David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has granted its third annual arts funding awards, totaling $226,000, to three regional arts organizations: Cincinnati Opera, Q-Kidz and ish Festival.
As your community foundation, we are on a mission to catalyze change that benefits our neighbors and region. We understand the systemic issues and the most critical challenges that need addressing in order to build a community where everyone can thrive. Through our Community Leadership grants, we are able to help drive these changes that create a better future for all. Racial equity is the overarching goal for this work and the following four recipients are our latest community leadership investments.
In a year largely defined by uncertainty, fear and glaring illustrations of racial injustice, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) and the community’s generous donors and funders answered the call for support.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the way we meet to a halt. But it didn’t stop our conversations.
The Women’s Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation is designing a community where every woman can participate, prosper and reach her full potential. To help continue this work in a virtual world, the Women’s Fund created the Tomorrowland Townhall.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is excited to welcome six new staff members who will help us expand our capacity as a servant leader in Greater Cincinnati.
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many things, but it hasn’t changed the spirit of generosity. As we head into what is typically considered the giving season, you may be planning your year-end giving. However, after months of unparalleled uncertainty and market volatility, you also may be wondering how to get started.
Imagine a typical family. Linda and Alan raised a glass to toast the New Year, excited for a new decade. Linda was secure in her job as a Home Health Aide and Alan had an exciting new job as Head Cook at a local restaurant. Their children were soon to begin the second half of first and third grades. They had a small savings account and felt secure in their future. As a family of color from humble beginnings, they were proud of the hurdles they had overcome.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Greater Cincinnati’s arts scene as it reels from forced closures and capacity limitations. ArtsWave, a funder and supporter of local arts projects and organizations, estimated that more than $30 million in earned revenue would be lost by the end of summer. Hundreds of arts industry employees have lost their jobs, endured furloughs and suffered pay cuts.
We previously shared with you LISC’s Housing Our Future report, the culmination of a year-long collaboration between public, private and nonprofit leaders, for which Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) was a partner, convener and funder. It outlines strategies to help everyone in Cincinnati and Hamilton County have access to quality affordable housing in the places they want to live.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is a proud sponsor of Black & Brown Faces, a new exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum running October 23, 2020 – January 3, 2021 that features 10 Black regional artists’ portrayal of facial expressions of people of color during the extremes of 2020. Emphasizing mental health and wellness, the exhibit is intended to promote dialogue and advocacy and inspire hope.
While aspiring entrepreneurs from historically marginalized communities often hear the word “no,” MORTAR tells them, “yes.”
Many people believe that our systems are broken, that our neighbors fall behind because of flaws in our institutions. But that’s not true. The systems aren’t broken. They’re working exactly as they were meant to, and that’s the problem.
Our most vulnerable neighbors continue to experience the devastating impact of racial injustice while being disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not only our duty to help, we are called to lead.
Shelly Espich, technology director, is a Cincinnati-area native (but lived in Las Vegas and Dallas at different points in her youth) and graduate of Northern Kentucky University. She lives in Villa Hills, Kentucky, and has four children and four grandchildren.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has awarded $1 million to six area non-profits from its new Racial Justice Fund.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation has approved a $250,000 loan fund to support Cincinnati area small businesses. The funds are designed to support companies that don't always enjoy equitable access to traditional businesses loans and are more likely to be impacted by pandemic: minority- and women-owned businesses. The fund will be administered by the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), a community microlender that serves small businesses throughout the state of Ohio, providing under-served entrepreneurs with education and access to capital.
We must act now. Achieving racial equity is long overdue. We cannot allow inequities to continue and expect to thrive – as people or as a region. GCF has long embraced racial equity as the core of our mission; it has always been paramount. Now, the call to address centuries of systemic racism has been further amplified by the disparities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial divide across our nation. Now is the time.
Our region needs 40,000 more affordable housing units. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its devastating impact on the economy, resulting in job losses and evictions, the crisis will only accelerate. Further, the pandemic and staggering affordable housing gap disproportionately affect the Black community; which already faces the highest unemployment rates in Hamilton County and significant job and wage disparities. The need is urgent.
All CPS students can have free broadband internet service from Cincinnati Bell through Connect Our Students program
The celebration of Black Philanthropy Month is a recent tradition; the legacy of Black giving is centuries-old. In recognition of the enduring traditions and generous priorities of Black giving, we’re sharing the inspirations and perspectives of Black donors and grantees in our region.
To better understand racial disparities in our region, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), Interact for Health and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati joined forces to create the All-In Cincinnati Core Team and Coalition in 2018. The All-In team collaborated with PolicyLink and USC Program for Environmental & Regional Equity to draft the All-In Cincinnati Report and began to develop a policy roadmap to guide
local policymakers in ensuring that new growth in the region is more equitable.
August is Black Philanthropy Month – a global celebration and dedicated campaign to lift up the transformative impact of Black generosity. At Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) we have long recognized the power of Black philanthropy. Our 2018 Giving Black: Cincinnati report amplified the rich heritage and giving priorities of Black residents in our region.
All-In Cincinnati Coalition Director Denisha Porter is originally from Cincinnati and graduated from Walnut Hills High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University and her master’s degree in public health from Wright State University.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is boosting its long-standing support of the economic growth and vitality of our tri-state region with a $500,000 investment in the Catalytic Development Funding Corp. of Northern Kentucky (Catalytic Fund).
Jaclyn Sablosky, Marketing Director at Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), is a westside Cincinnati native and graduate of Oak Hills High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications and MBA in marketing from the University of Cincinnati. Jaclyn lives in Mason with her husband, Kevin, and their three daughters Emma (7), Kate (2) and Kara (1).
The coronavirus pandemic has cast an undeniable spotlight on the systemic inequities faced by low-income workers, who are often women of color. While they work hard to provide for their families – often juggling more than one job – they face steep financial barriers to accessing opportunities to grow economic equity.
In this time of social distancing, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) continues to prioritize our mission of connecting people with purpose. While we cannot currently meet in our Haile Community Hub, we are determined – now more than ever – to be here for you in meaningful, interactive ways. As we move forward with a post-pandemic vision, together we can build a stronger, more equitable community which works for everyone.
When need arises in our community, we’re on it. As the coronavirus pandemic brought business shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) knew that immediate action was critical. Our donors wanted to connect with funding opportunities ensuring the most impact. Our nonprofit partners sought resources to address new, urgent – even life-dependent – needs. Our most vulnerable neighbors needed right-now relief as they faced job loss, eviction and other crises.
As we entered 2020, racial equity and justice were far from daily topics in the national newsfeed. Today they’re front and center worldwide.
When we, the Governing Board of Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), embraced racial equity as the core of our mission, we did so understanding that the road would be long. We have centuries of deeply entrenched systemic racism to address. Today we are called to accelerated action by the people of our community and nation who have been traumatized enough.
A note from our President/CEO, Ellen M. Katz.
We need to hear from you. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our region, country and world in so many ways. As your community foundation, we exist to guide you during these challenging times.
Hamilton County’s transportation funding for Issue 7 has passed! It’s a significant move to drive us forward to a more equitable future for our region. Now more than ever, the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic – which has disproportionately impacted people of color in our community – has shed a glaring light on system inequities we must address.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) and Cincinnati Development Fund (CDF) are pleased to announce a partnership to address our region’s critical need for affordable housing. The goal is to raise and deploy $5 million over the next five years to support affordable housing development projects throughout GCF’s tri-state, eight-county region.
While the coronavirus pandemic has kept us physically apart, our community has stepped up together with inspiring generosity to help our most vulnerable neighbors. #GivingTuesdayNow, being observed today, is a day of global unity in response to the needs caused by COVID-19.
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.
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.
Here are a few small business grant and crowdfunding opportunities for your business. Remember that business grant resources are limited. Please act quickly. Share with other small businesses that need financial assistance
Our region’s well-documented lack of affordable housing – more than 40,000 units – has been a key factor in Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s (GCF) focus on racial equity. The lack of affordable housing can be the linchpin for many other issues contributing to racial inequality, from education and employment opportunities, lack of transportation and physical and mental health challenges to building financial equity as a means to escape poverty.
Professional advisors tell us that their clients want to leverage the greatest amount of impact possible with their generosity. In this time of severe financial stresses to nonprofit organizations due to the coronavirus crisis that goal is even more critical. You, as an advisor, are a vital, trusted partner in a key position to provide guidance that amplifies your clients’ charitable decisions.
Now more than ever, our community is demonstrating that we truly are stronger together. Thanks to your generous, immediate support, the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund was able to provide safe shelter to 40 single mothers and their children during this time of crisis. Through the work of the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, we know that they are our most vulnerable neighbors in normal times and, as service workers in low-paid jobs, are even more so now.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s (GCF) Governing Board provides a diverse community perspective critical to guiding our mission of making our region more equitable for everyone. We appreciate the insights, experience and dedication of all of our board members.
With the activation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, nonprofits and business partners may have questions about how to apply for funding. Below is a list of resources that Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has assembled to help with the application process.
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.
We are your community foundation, and our role is to lead the way in addressing the region’s most critical needs. I can assure you, we’re on it. The COVID-19 pandemic will disproportionately affect our most vulnerable residents and the organizations that support them. Many of our neighbors will be forced to choose between their health, care for their children, food on the table, a roof over their heads, and more. As a community, we must step up. Mayor John Cranley has asked us to activate an emergency response fund in partnership with other funders, corporations, and individual donors like you. Early next week, we will let you know how you can help.
When you go to the polls in Hamilton County on Tuesday, March 17, we encourage you to support Issue 7 with a “Yes” vote. Issue 7 would replace Cincinnati’s 0.3 percent earnings tax with a 0.8 percent Hamilton County sales tax to reinvest in our transportation system, which is vital to promoting economic growth. The initiative will reinvest $130 million annually into improving our transportation system.