Search Through Grants for Small Nonprofits in Ohio in the U.S.

Strengthening communities

The Foundation, established in 1990, is an integral component of Amgen's commitment to dramatically improve people's lives and the principal channel for Amgen’s corporate philanthropy.  In addition to its primary focus on science education, the Foundation has committed an additional $180 million to local, regional and international nonprofit organizations that reflect Amgen’s core values and complement the company’s dedication to impacting lives in inspiring and innovative ways. 

Philanthropic Focus

In support of our mission, the Amgen Foundation seeks to improve access and advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators, as well as invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. We support diverse organizations whose philosophies, objectives, and approaches align with the Foundation's mission and strategic goals.

Each year, the Foundation awards grants to local, regional, and international nonprofit organizations whose programs are replicable, scalable and designed to have a lasting and meaningful effect in Amgen communities. These grants reflect Amgen's dedication to impacting lives in inspiring and innovative ways.

Funding Priorities

Through our focus on science education, we are especially interested in the combined use of educational technology and hands-on science experiences to support learning outcomes. The Foundation prioritizes these areas:

• Teacher quality and professional development in science: We support comprehensive programs that enhance the quality of science teachers entering the classroom, and support teachers with meaningful professional-development opportunities that have a positive impact on student achievement.
• Pivotal science experience: We support programs that provide students and teachers with opportunities for authentic, inquiry-based learning experiences that significantly impact students' excitement about science and scientific careers and make the use of the latest educational technology.

Additionally, the Foundation supports programs that enhance civic engagement and align with our overall mission and priority-giving areas in the communities where Amgen has a presence.

Amgen Communities

Currently, the Amgen Foundation makes local grants in and around the following U.S. and Puerto Rico communities:

• Ventura County, CA
• San Francisco Bay Area, CA
• Greater Boston Area, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties, MA
• Juncos, Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• Tampa, FL
• Louisville, KY
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Deerfield, IL
• Rockville, MD

Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

How we partner with nonprofits

We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:

• Economic and workforce advancement
• Safe and affordable housing
• Community arts and culture

Our strategy

Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.

To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:

• Focus on economic development issues related to work, home and play
• Address more than one of the grant pillars (work, home and play)
• Are based in and serve designated U.S. Bank communities
• Advance diversity, equity and inclusion

Mission

The DanPaul Foundation will use its resources to help train teachers and parents in early childhood development, protect children from abuse and neglect, stimulate children's personal social responsibilities, and offer them opportunities for enrichment and growth.

The Foundation will also encourage children to be concerned and informed about the environment and the underprivileged, particularly with regard to clean air and water, and adequate housing and nutrition for all.

Beliefs

The DanPaul Foundation believes that children should have ample opportunities for enrichment in their lives, and thus strives to provide many different ways to enrich and expand children's minds through direct programs and monetary support to organizations doing similar work.

We have provided or currently provide grants related to the following program areas:

• Workshops, Conferences, + Seminars: We strive to offer educational workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents and teachers on topics related to early childhood development.
• Student Scholarships: We aim to help students attending post-secondary education institutions by providing need-based and academic scholarships.
• Scientific Endeavors: We desire to advance scientific endeavors which seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world.
• Clean Air + Water: We hope to pass on knowledge and practical life skills to youth regarding their personal responsibility to the environment, teaching them about issues surrounding clean air and water.
• Child Advocacy: We believe in protecting children from abuse and neglect and particularly love to support programs that provide education and assistance to children as well as organizations advocating or caring for vulnerable children.
• Homelessness: We want to encourage young people to take a personal interest in seeing that adequate housing and proper nutrition, especially for the underprivileged and homeless, are available.
• Poverty + Neglect: We seek to help those in poverty as well as educate youth about their responsibility to consider the underprivileged and take care of those most in need of life's basic essentials like adequate housing and proper nutrition.
• Refugee Enrichment: We wish to help refugee youth by supporting programs that provide them enrichment and help them transition to life in a new country.

The DanPaul Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organizations as defined by the IRS. The Foundation is interested in providing funding to programs that directly serve the health, education, development, and welfare of the world's youth.

Grants range from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 per calendar year.

The Minneapolis Foundation

The Minneapolis Foundation drives collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities. We cultivate generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs—partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and providing services to donors seeking to make a difference in their communities.

Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

In partnership with the Midwest Environmental Justice Network, NDN Collective, and RE-AMP Network, the Minneapolis Foundation will award environmental justice grants to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region.

Grants will be awarded to community-based nonprofits and other eligible organizations in the following three tiers:

• Tier 1: Assessment and Engagement
• Tier 2: Community Education and Planning
• Tier 3: Project Development and Implementation

We aim to distribute 30% of grant funding to federally recognized tribes and Native American organizations, 25% to rural communities, and 45% to urban communities. The partnership anticipates making 206 grants: 83 in Year 1, 85 in Year 2, and 38 in Year 3.

You may submit an application for multiple tiers at the same time, in any order.

Program Goal

The Great Lakes TCGM Partnership will distribute grants to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. The partnership was selected by the EPA as one of 11 grantmakers around the nation in its new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program.

The program’s goal is to lift up community-led innovation and strengthen community-based groups by breaking down barriers to federal funding. All grants will be given to environmental and public health efforts in underserved communities as defined by the EPA.

Issue Areas

Grants will support projects that focus on issues including, but not limited to:

• Environmental health
• Air, soil, and water quality
• Healthy homes
• Access to healthy food
• Stormwater and green infrastructure
• Emergency preparedness
• Disaster resilience
• Environmental job training

Tier 2: Community Education and Planning

Tier 2 awards are one- to two-year grants of up to $250,000 for community-focused efforts that design, inform, and highlight solutions to local environmental or public health priorities. Up to 50% of the grant can be used for relevant property acquisition. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis, with a small number of grantees eligible for one advance payment of up to 10% of the total grant.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing project plans
• Developing communications and outreach plans
• Conducting workshops and trainings
• Developing curricula, toolkits, or guidelines; developing social media content
• Producing videos or printed materials
• Hosting events and gatherings
• Building or strengthening partnerships and collaboration
• Creating local advisory committees
• Engaging in public review or comment periods
• Developing or updating disaster resilience plans, emergency preparedness plans, or other community planning and visioning efforts

You need not develop a new project to receive a grant. These one-time grants are well suited to support existing work that is currently not funded by another source or to complement other projects for which you already have funding. We also welcome proposals for high-priority new projects. 

The Minneapolis Foundation

The Minneapolis Foundation drives collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities. We cultivate generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs—partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and providing services to donors seeking to make a difference in their communities.

Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

In partnership with the Midwest Environmental Justice Network, NDN Collective, and RE-AMP Network, the Minneapolis Foundation will award environmental justice grants to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region.

Grants will be awarded to community-based nonprofits and other eligible organizations in the following three tiers:

• Tier 1: Assessment and Engagement
• Tier 2: Community Education and Planning
• Tier 3: Project Development and Implementation

We aim to distribute 30% of grant funding to federally recognized tribes and Native American organizations, 25% to rural communities, and 45% to urban communities. The partnership anticipates making 206 grants: 83 in Year 1, 85 in Year 2, and 38 in Year 3.

You may submit an application for multiple tiers at the same time, in any order.

Program Goal

The Great Lakes TCGM Partnership will distribute grants to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. The partnership was selected by the EPA as one of 11 grantmakers around the nation in its new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program.

The program’s goal is to lift up community-led innovation and strengthen community-based groups by breaking down barriers to federal funding. All grants will be given to environmental and public health efforts in underserved communities as defined by the EPA.

Issue Areas

Grants will support projects that focus on issues including, but not limited to:

• Environmental health
• Air, soil, and water quality
• Healthy homes
• Access to healthy food
• Stormwater and green infrastructure
• Emergency preparedness
• Disaster resilience
• Environmental job training

Tier 3: Project Development and Implementation

Tier 3 awards are one- to two-year grants of up to $350,000 to pilot or implement project plans. Projects may have educational and outreach components, but must focus on developing tangible community assets or providing environmental or public health benefits to one or more disadvantaged communities. Up to 50% of the grant can be used for relevant property acquisition or purchase. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis, with a small number of grantees eligible for one advance payment of up to 10% of the total grant.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Strengthening cumulative impact, public health, or environmental protections
• Increasing access to healthy food
• Reducing the use of pesticides or toxic substances
• Cleaning up contaminated sites
• Conducting healthy home assessments
• Increasing energy or water efficiency in homes or buildings
• Launching community energy or water efficiency programs
• Installing water filters; developing community gardens
• Creating community resilience hubs
• Installing green infrastructure projects
• Creating internships or implementing workforce development programs

You need not develop a new project to receive a grant. These one-time grants are well suited to support existing work that is currently not funded by another source or to complement other projects for which you already have funding. We also welcome proposals for high-priority new projects. 

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Strengthening our community 

Licking County Foundation (LCF) was established to help channel donors’ compassion into action through the allocation of grants to charitable organizations that meet existing and emerging needs across our community. Our nonprofit grant partners make it possible for the Foundation to support a wide variety of activities benefiting local citizens of all ages in areas including health and human services, arts and culture, education, parks and recreation, the environment, economic development, public safety, and more.

In addition to grants made from our Field of Interest and Unrestricted Funds, donors also provide grant funding directly to organizations they care about through agency, designated agency, project, donor advised and community charitable funds. For more information about grants from those funds, click on the links to the right.

The Cecil L. Mauger Charitable Trust Grant

The Cecil L. Mauger Charitable Trust was established under the will of Cecil L. Mauger, a Newark businessman, to provide funds for charitable organizations. The Cecil L. Mauger Charitable Trust accepts proposals from tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations serving Licking County throughout the year as part of a competitive grant making process. As a small, local foundation, The Cecil L. Mauger Charitable Trust has limited resources and cannot respond favorably to all worthwhile causes.

Generally, priority will be given to projects or programs that:

• Service the Licking County, Ohio area
• Help launch new projects which represent a unique and unduplicated opportunity for the community
• Support established organizations for special purposes
• Support organizations which deliver effective existing programs to assist or empower underserved or disadvantaged residents of Licking County
• Offer new approaches to solving problems, and stimulate others to participate in problem-solving
• Create opportunities for organizations to collaborate without duplicating services, and leveraging additional resources
• Make a clear difference in the quality of life for a substantial number of residents of Licking County
• Propose innovative, creative, and practical solutions to both current and emerging community needs
• Generate matching funds 

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

Our Mission

The Tony Robbins Foundation is a nonprofit organization created to empower individuals and organizations to make a significant difference in the quality of life of people often forgotten.

We’re dedicated to creating positive changes in the lives of youth, seniors, the hungry, homeless and the imprisoned population, all who need a boost envisioning a happier and deeply satisfying way of life. Our passionate staff, generous donors and caring group of international volunteers provide the vision, inspiration, and resources needed to empower these important members of our society.

Grants

Dedicated to meeting challenges within the global community, creating solutions and taking action, The Tony Robbins Foundation provides monetary donations to various organizations around the world. Funding requests are evaluated on an ongoing basis. We look for organizations that align with our mission to empower individuals and organizations to make a significant difference in the quality of life of those often forgotten.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Vision

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, "A Foundation for All", was established in 2002. It was begun in order to give a clear voice for those who wish to be a part of the many, worthy, forces for change in our world.

We are a foundation whose purpose is to look ahead towards the future, giving the past its due by remembering where we came from, and how much we can all accomplish together. We aim to make the critical difference on our planet by recognizing and having respect for our ever changing world. We respect all Life, the Environment, and all People, no matter who they are.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank

The Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank is committed to creating a greater impact on programs and initiatives that create strong, vibrant communities and provide pathways to opportunity.  Grants for programming in education, the arts, community development, and health and human services in the Greater Cincinnati area are considered, in addition to the specific funding interests originally identified by each of the individual benefactors. 

Cincinnati, OH - (Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky) Foundations 

• Charles Moerlein Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes.
• Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports initiatives that empower and assist women and girls in achieving self–sufficiency
• Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports charitable and educational purposes for the City of Cincinnati, with a focus on the arts.
• H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports mainly environmental and historical preservation, and educational and arts organizations in the greater Cincinnati area, as well as named preferred organizations named in the trust document.
• Helen G., Henry F., & Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports nature and the conservation of nature’s beauty, as well as organizations that are beneficial to children, with a preference to organizations that Miss Dornette identified during her lifetime
• Louis & Melba Schott Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports assistance to youth, with emphasis on youth of primary school through junior high school age, who are disadvantaged because of medical conditions, economic status, family background or for other similar reasons. 
• Patricia Kisker Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports organizations that benefit or serve children and educational, musical or arts organizations, as well as organizations which Patricia Kisker supported during her lifetime.
• Jacob G. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports charitable or educational purposes; for relief in sickness, suffering and distress; for the care of young children, the aged or the helpless or afflicted; for the promotion of education and to improve living conditions.
• Stillson Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Helps children and provides assistance to those charities the Stillsons supported during their lifetime.
• Ohio Valley Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Agent: Funds small equipment, technology and capital improvement projects in the Ohio Valley.
• Frank J. Kloenne & Jacqueline Dawson Kloenne Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Promote, encourage or aid religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational activities.
• Mary Martha McGee Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: To support community outreach activities of non–profit, religious organizations and churches that serve the low–income population in Greater Cincinnati
• Harold Schilling Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: To support organizations, preferably located in Hamilton County, that aid persons who are hearing or visually impaired or who are developmentally disabled. 
• Lawrence J. Mayer Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee: Supports Catholic or religious order of men or women, which serves or caters to the poor in Greater Cincinnati.

Background

We believe that one of the best ways to improve our community is by supporting nonprofits in our region. The Pickaway County Community Foundations’ competitive grantmaking is supported by many thoughtful donors who have entrusted us to identify and invest in our ever-changing community needs. We make grants to all the communities in Pickaway County and to nonprofits large and small.

Grants available from the Pickaway County Community Foundation are awarded on the basis of an open and competitive application process. Guidelines, priorities for funding and standards of eligibility must be met in order to apply. Opportunities to apply depend on the availability of funding, which varies from year to year.

Priorities: Policy Statement for Grantmaking

The mission of the Pickaway County Community Foundation is to provide charitable resources and expertise that improve the quality of life in Pickaway County. PCCF will work to enhance the quality of life for all citizens in our area, now and for generations to come, by building community endowment; addressing needs through grant making; and serving as a leader, catalyst, and a resource for charitable giving. Pickaway County Community Foundation grants are made for public charitable purposes that enrich the quality of life of citizens of the Pickaway County, Ohio area

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

Inspire Awards

We’re collaborating with MIT Solve to kick off our third year of the Inspire Awards. Nonprofits from across the country are invited to pitch their solution to advance workers through career navigation and workforce development.

This year’s Inspire Awards challenge aims to improve resources and wraparound services for workers seeking reskilling, upskilling, and career transitions to uplift themselves—and their families. For workers looking to develop skills to help them adapt to industry changes, career navigation and workforce development solutions can make an impact. These tools can aid smoother career transitions, foster economic mobility, and empower workers to pursue personal growth.

2025 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge Question

How are nonprofits providing innovative solutions for the reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation needs of adults who are in the middle or late stages of their careers?

Challenge Dimensions

We are seeking innovative nonprofit solutions that improve resources and wraparound services for adults who are in the middle or late stages of their careers seeking reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation support, including:

• Wraparound Services – Supporting unemployed and underemployed individuals on their journey to economic mobility through innovative and comprehensive resources including transportation support, childcare, mentorship, mental health services, and more.
• Coalition Building – Generating greater buy-in and support for workforce navigation efforts through coalitions, promoting communication and collaboration across diverse sectors and stakeholders including businesses, nonprofits, and government entities.
• Career Navigation – Enabling workers to navigate their career choices more easily, helping to facilitate informed decisions about which high-quality jobs and career trajectories best suit them.
• Upskilling and Reskilling – Providing accessible, high-quality, skill-building and training opportunities for those transitioning between careers or facing unemployment.

Here are the grants for this challenge

• First place: $250,000
• Second place: $150,000
• Runners-up: $25,000
• Audience favorite: $75,000

The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

The Pfau Foundation was established in 1994 in Cincinnati by Daniel A. Pfau and Susan Laufer Pfau.

Mrs. Pfau, a community volunteer, and Mr. Pfau, a local businessman, have been actively involved in programs serving disabled and disadvantaged youth, and in organizations promoting the Greater Cincinnati area. The Foundation complements the Pfaus’ personal charitable efforts and will continue their support into the future.

Purpose of the Pfau Foundation

The Pfau Foundation’s primary focus is on the education, health, cultural experience and social welfare of children, adolescents, young adults (to age 30) with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities and their families. A secondary focus is on children, adolescents, young adults (to age 30) who face significant economic barriers to success and their families. There is a particular interest in programs that help clients realize their full potential. The Foundation also advocates and supports large regional arts and cultural organizations. Small and mid-size organizations that use the arts as a vehicle for achieving impact with successful shared outcomes will be considered. (These outcomes must be aligned with the first two priorities of the Foundation.) The fourth area of interest is recreation areas.

The Responsive Grants Program is a competitive grants program in which applicants can apply for project, capacity building, equipment or technology, small capital projects, or general operating support in support of the organization’s mission.

Priority Areas

Healthy Eating, Active Living

We support projects and strategies that prevent or manage chronic health conditions by promoting healthy eating and active living through one or more of the following:

• Education about the health benefits of a healthy weight, good nutrition, and physical activity
• Efforts that encourage and support behavior change
• Environmental changes that make healthy choices the easy choices
• Increased access and distribution of healthy foods
• Promotion and provision of opportunities for increased physical activity
• Coalition and cross-sector collaboration that promotes healthy eating and active living through policy or programmatic change

Thriving Neighborhoods

We support projects and strategies that address improving neighborhood conditions where people live, learn, work, and play so that everyone has the ability to achieve their full health potential by:

• Improving the accessibility, affordability, and quality of health and health care
• Improving access to reliable transportation options so people can reach needed health and social services
• Improving access to stable and safe housing to foster a healthy living environment
• Supporting efforts to increase connections to community resources and to one another to foster an environment of social connectedness and belonging
• Improving access to high-quality early childhood programs including in-home programs designed to improve maternal and child health, parenting skills, and child development as well as programs supporting the health and well-being of the preK-12 student population
• Supporting coalition and cross-sector collaboration that improves neighborhood conditions and advances policy or programmatic change

Mental Health and Addiction

We support projects and strategies that address mental health and/or addiction. Related to mental health, we are interested in the area of health promotion and prevention. Related to addiction, we are interested in the areas of prevention, early intervention, and recovery support. We are especially interested in evidence-based programs focused on:

• Prevention activities such as education and stigma reduction of mental health and substance use disorders; trauma-informed care practices and supportive environments in schools, churches, workplaces, and other community settings; and provision of mental health services in schools and school-based health clinics
• Early intervention activities such as identifying and reducing individual risk factors for substance use, improving connections to needed services across various systems, and harm reduction efforts to reduce the number of deaths and the spread of disease
• Building the behavioral health workforce, including peer support specialists/peer recovery supporters, supporting high school and college pipeline programming, and encouraging careers in behavioral health
• Supporting people in recovery with positive supports such as housing, connections to employment, and transportation
• Coalition and cross-sector collaboration that advances policy or programmatic change

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

What does this program do?

This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.

What kind of funding is available?

There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. Opportunity grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding.

How may funds be used?

Enterprise grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application. Uses may include:

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports or producer service improvements.
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
• Pollution control and abatement.
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
• Distance adult learning for job training and advancement.
• Rural transportation improvement.
• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

Opportunity grants can be used for:

• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

ArtsNEXT

Funding for Bold, Ground-Breaking Projects

The ArtsNEXT program provides competitive funding for innovative and experimental projects. Awards support big ideas that push boundaries, engage participants in unexpected ways, pilot new solutions to challenging problems, improve program design with calculated risk-taking, or result in the creation of new work. These forward-looking projects help define Ohio as an exciting, cutting-edge place to make, consume, and experience the arts.

Grant Awards: Applicants may generally request up to $25,000, though larger awards are possible in unique circumstances. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.

How the Program Works

ArtsNEXT grants are one-year awards for organizational project support. This program supports projects that allow an organization's programming to evolve creatively. Priority is given to projects designed to improve the accessibility, affordability, and/or diversity of arts experiences, as well as those demonstrating an appropriate amount of risk with a strong potential for success. Funds may be used for a wide variety of expenses, including artist fees, production expenses, marketing, planning, education, and program evaluation. The budget section of the ArtsNEXT application provides a full list of allowable expense areas.

ArtsNEXT applicants must identify which one of these three types of innovation best describes their proposed project. When possible, panels will review applications from each type of innovation together. Types include:

Incremental Innovation. Projects exhibiting incremental innovation make small changes or improvements over time that nonetheless go above and beyond the routine course corrections required of all successful programs, and can be thought of as "variations on a theme." Examples might include trying a new marketing strategy, hosting an event in a new type of venue, or building on existing programming in a sequential, logical way. Incremental innovations involve minimal risk.

Transferable Innovation. Projects that borrow, replicate, or adapt a proven practice from another industry, organization, or community are employing transferable innovation. Projects improve the design of an existing program or service by applying ideas that have been successful in another setting. Examples include producing a new activity that has been well-received elsewhere, modifying an idea from the private sector for use in a nonprofit setting, or experimenting with programming that has flourished in a different arts genre. Transferable innovation typically involves moderate risk.

Disruptive Innovation. These are the big ideas that often come to mind when the concept of innovation is discussed. Disruptive innovation interrupts current behavior rendering existing practices obsolete. These projects are rare, unproven, and revolutionary. Examples might include radically changing the delivery of an arts experience, upending expectations about participation in a particular genre or type of arts activity, or creating something entirely new in the arts and cultural field. Disruptive innovation is inherently an unusual and high-risk proposition.

Sample activities might include:

• exploring the intersection of the arts and healing with activities produced in partnership with a healthcare institution
• implementing a pilot program or activity based on a promising practice from another industry
• executing a partnership that brings local artistic assets together to activate a nontraditional space
• adapting an arts event successful in a suburban setting to a new urban or rural community or region
• developing and evaluating specialized programming to serve as a model for other organizations
• expanding a longtime activity to include an entirely new creative element
• revamping the way a successful arts activity is marketed to attract new and more diverse participants
• launching a locally-driven and authentic creative place-making initiative
• developing a technology to deliver arts experiences in new and more accessible ways
• using partnerships to change the delivery of an arts experience, making it more affordable

The Community Foundation of Shelby County welcomes grant requests from organizations in and serving the Botkins, Ohio area.

Grantmaking Criteria for the Louise Sheets Fund

• Funds will be utilized within the geographic boundaries of the Botkins, Ohio School District and/or will benefit a wide range of residents living within the Botkins School District.
• Encourages more efficient use of community resources and promote coordination, cooperation and sharing among organizations and does not duplicate services.
• Includes a thoughtful, reasonable plan for obtaining continued financial support from internal and/or external sources once Foundation grant monies are expended.
• Requesting organization has obtained an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Consideration will be given to not-for-profit organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) ruling, but are conducting charitable projects and are registered as an Ohio nonprofit corporation with the Ohio Secretary of State. Organizations without a 501(c)(3) status may also apply through a fiscal agent (a 501(c)(3) or governmental entity that receives and administers a grant on your behalf).
• Projects requiring multiple-year funding will be considered. Requests for small grants are also welcome. 

Background

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides opportunities for children who come from economically disadvantaged families and attend low-performing schools to receive academic supports. School districts, schools, community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, city or county government agencies, for-profit corporations and other public or private entities are eligible for the 21st CCLC grant.

The Ohio Department of Education's Office of Future Forward Ohio administers the 21st CCLC grant. This federally funded grant program supports high-quality, out-of-school time learning opportunities and related activities for students who attend eligible schools. Recent flexibility from the U.S. Department of Education allows 21st CCLC funds to be used for expanded learning time programming during the school day, week or year in addition to out-of-school time. 

Annual Bidders' Conferences

The Ohio Department of Education hosts annual bidders' conferences to allow eligible applicants to learn more about the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant opportunity. This competitive grant provides quality after-school and summer learning programs – with an option for before-school programming - primarily for children of high poverty and low academic achievement. The programs focus on reading, mathematics, positive youth development, and parent and family engagement. Children participate in a wide array of enrichment activities in areas such as sports, science, technology, and arts and crafts.

Bidders' conference sessions are designed to give interested applicants the chance to ask questions regarding grant requirements, service expectations, and the application process. Eligible applicants include public and private school districts, county educational service centers, community and faith-based organizations, and businesses. Priority for funding is given to qualifying programs that serve small town or rural districts. Funds are awarded to high-quality programs for up to five years.

See FAQs for additional informations.

Our Mission

The Cyrus Eaton Foundation seeks to advance sustainable environments, social justice, cultural enrichment, and peaceful coexistence.

Cyrus Eaton Foundation Grant

We only consider grant proposals for efforts in the following categories:  

• sustainable environments
• social justice
• cultural enrichment
• peaceful coexistence

 We typically fund organizations that: 

• are small or newly-established
• are innovative
• lack support from larger funders

Funding

The Cyrus Eaton Foundation typically distributes approximately $160,000 over two funding cycles per year. Grants range from $1000 to $5000. In rare circumstances we may be able to consider “High Impact Grants” of $5000 to $15,000.

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

As your leading community foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), we believe the greatest changes happen when people come together – in partnership, collaboration and generosity. Our role is to align the right players and then coordinate their efforts and contributions to make the biggest impact. Together, we all rise.

GCF Mission: We connect generous donors with trusted nonprofits to create a vibrant Greater Cincinnati where every person has an opportunity to thrive.

The David C. Herriman Fund

About the David C. Herriman Fund

The David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation was established by Mr. Herriman to facilitate grants to regional performing arts organizations through a competitive process.

Funding Focus

The Fund was created to support the arts in the Greater Cincinnati area of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, with a preference for the performing arts. Special consideration will be given to enhancing performance through support for bringing in performance artists, directors, choreographers, authors, musicians, etc. Proposals for the performance of new works and for the education of youth, specifically in the performing arts, are encouraged.

Purpose

In Mr. Herriman’s words, “to make possible what would otherwise be impossible” opportunities for arts organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area. 

In accordance with Mr. Herriman’s wishes of creating meaningful impact, this funding opportunity may provide one larger grant and up to two smaller grants. The total granted will not exceed $400,000. The ranges of these grants, depending on proposals under consideration, will be between $200,000 and $350,000 for the large grant and between $15,000 and $50,000 for the small grant(s).

The Pat Landi Access Fund

The Pat Landi Access Fund will provide economic investment in a manner that promotes the sustainability and viability of small businesses in Butler and Warren County. Alloy Development will actively work with and through other economic-mission based partners in Butler and Warren County to achieve results.

Funding

The Pat Landi Access Fund seeks to provide funding up to $10,000. Alloy Development will make up to $50,000 in grant funding available per year in the Pat Landi Access Fund.