Grant Guidelines and Eligibility 

Grant Guidelines and Eligibility 

 An organization seeking funding must qualify under all these parameters:

A. Who May Apply

1. Any 501(c)(3) organization may apply through our open, focus-area-based process—no prior approval is required. Applicants should select the focus area that best fits the category of your program. You may apply once per calendar year.
   1. Focus Area Cycles
      1. February 15^th LOI Deadline- (A) Education (all ages) or (B) Animal Welfare
      2. May 15^th LOI Deadline- (A) Children’s Programing or (B) Arts and Cultural vibrancy
      3. August 15^th LOI Deadline- (A) Health and Wellness & (B) Civic, environment, and Community Vibrancy

1. A Non profit must use the Grant Funds to operate programs and benefit those they serve within 60 miles of Downtown Cincinnati
2. Organizations should not apply if their unrestricted endowment exceeds 15 million
3. We will not consider funding for programs or projects that have already concluded.
4. We will not make grants to
   1.  Individuals
   2. Endowed Scholarships
   3. Conduit/Bundled regrants
5. The foundation does not make grants for general operating expenses except for those embedded into a program or project’s operating budget.

Grant Frequency

• If your organization has received funding for 3 consecutive calendar years, we ask that you not apply for 1 calendar year

or

• If your organization has received funding totaling $20,000+ within the past 2 calendar years, we ask that you not apply for 1 calendar year

Grant priorities and values 

• The foundation is committed to providing financial support to agencies whose operating budget does not exceed 10 million
• The foundation prefers to fund programs and projects as compared to capital campaigns. If you are seeking funding for a capital campaign it is recommended to reach out to foundation staff prior to submission.
• The board values organizations that prioritize employee well being and the ability to receive a living wage. We will fund salaries.
• We will not consider funding for any group that discriminates on the basis of age, race, nationality, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, or religious beliefs.
• The board considers the agency’s ability to show diverse funding and revenue sources for the organization and for the program or project that you seek funding.
• The board values an agency’s active Board of Directors functions at a governing level and that financially contributes and is diverse in terms of skills, demographics, gender, age, and experience.
• The board values agencies which demonstrate good organizational structure, financial stability and sustainability.