Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) is pleased to announce the next round of Boots on the Ground Fund grants in its continued efforts to strengthen the capacity of small, community-based organizations driving change in the city.
Donor Name: Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF)
State: Ohio
City: Cincinnati
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/07/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Through a partnership with the City of Cincinnati and generous support from other funders, more than $750,000 will be made available for grants, up to $25,000. Proposals will be considered for small, grassroots organizations with operating budgets of less than $1 million, that demonstrate the involvement of community members in their decision-making and give voices to those directly impacted by issues.
The Boots on the Ground Fund seeks to provide support to organizations that have demonstrated experience and aim to address:
- Homelessness Prevention and Access to Affordable Housing
- Access to Affordable, Healthy Foods – Reduction of Food Deserts
- Access to Healthcare and Public Health
- Workforce Development
- Youth Development
- Youth Gun Violence Reduction and Prevention
- Mental and Behavioral Health, including Substance Use Services.
Uses of funds
- Funding may be used to support, expand, or strengthen existing programs, launch a new program, or build organizational capacity. Collaboration between organizations is highly encouraged.
- Funding will not be awarded for campaigns, capital campaigns, or special events.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be classified as tax-exempt by the IRS, typically 501(c)(3) status or government agency.
- If the organization is not a 501(c)(3), a fiscal sponsor may be utilized. However, the fiscal sponsor must be identified in the application.
- Applicants must have an annual operating budget of less than $1 million.
- Programs or projects must directly impact residents within the City of Cincinnati.
- Preference will be given for demonstrating:
- Prioritization of inclusion, community voice, and engaging leaders of color
- Clear and measurable outcomes or SMART Goals
- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound
- Partnerships and alignment to community-wide efforts
- Learnings from past experience
- Asset-based approaches in the funding focus areas
- 2024 Boots on the Ground Fund grant recipients are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit GCF.
