The Erma A. Bantz Foundation

Erma Bantz lived in Cincinnati for 95 years. As a child and through most of her adult life, Erma suffered from severe hearing loss. Later in life, Erma fought eye problems which diminished her sight.

Despite later surgical improvements, she continued to suffer from diminished hearing and sight until her death in 2006. The Erma A. Bantz Foundation was established after Erma's death to carry out her desire to improve the lives of people who suffer hearing or visual impairments, and has partnered with GCF for assistance in grantmaking.

Purpose of The Erma A. Bantz Foundation

The Foundation supports various organizations that have as one of their stated purposes the support of and/or aid to the visually impaired and the hearing impaired. Sixty percent of the assets of the Foundation will be devoted to Visually Impaired Organizations and forty percent of the assets of the Foundation will be devoted to Hearing Impaired Organizations.

Policies and Restrictions

The Bantz Foundation makes grants to Greater Cincinnati organizations serving the visually impaired and hearing impaired.

Applicants must have an IRS determination as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
The Foundation will not provide continuing operational support to any grantee, and discourages annual requests.
Grantees are advised to wait at least one year from the date of last grant payment before reapplying to the Foundation. An organization that has previously had an application declined by the Foundation may resubmit an application after six months from the date its original application was declined.
Grants will not be made to individuals, taxing authorities or political subdivisions.
In most cases, organizations must be located in the Ohio counties of Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren.
The Foundation usually prefers to participate along with other donors in the support of a specific project.

If you believe that your organization meets these qualifications, complete and submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through our online system. New to our system? See our hints section below for more information.

If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next business day.

LOI Deadline	Proposal Deadline	Notice of Decision
May 1	June 1	July 31
October 1	November 1	December 31

Grant Evaluation

The Bantz Foundation requires a follow-up evaluation report to be completed in our on-line grant system at the end of the grant period. Applicants will receive an e-mail reminder two weeks prior to the evaluation due date.

Directors of the Foundation

C. Gregory Schmidt, Esq.
600 Vine Street, Suite 2700
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-721-4450

William J. Liss, Esq.
600 Vine Street, Suite 2700
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-721-4450