City and GCF Award $196,769 to Grassroots Partners to Activate the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan

CINCINNATI (July 15, 2024) — Today, the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability (OES), the Green Cincinnati Fund Advisory Committee, and Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) are proud to announce the awardees from the inaugural round of the Green Cincinnati Plan (GCP) Seeds of Change Grant Program. Nineteen grassroots nonprofits were chosen to receive grants totaling $196,769 in this first round. Projects were selected by a diverse volunteer review committee based on meeting eligibility requirements and strongly aligning with stated priorities. View a complete list of awardees and their projects here.

According to Oliver Kroner, Director of OES, “Moving toward our ambitious goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, especially considering how differently heat waves, erosion, flooding, and air quality impact the most vulnerable in our city. With the GCP Seeds of Change Grant Program up and running, we look to residents to lead us toward localized solutions to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Cincinnati. Special thanks to GCF and their partnership with generous donors for co-funding – without their efforts, we would only be making half of the impact.”

To get a better understanding of the impact of these funds in coming months, see below:

• Funding available for this round increased by 97% thanks to GCF’s co-funding efforts for a total of $196,769 in City and GCF dollars.
• 48% of proposals received could be recommended for funding based on funds available.
• 6 of 8 GCP Focus Areas will be activated by grants with the highest number of grants going to projects in the Food and Natural Environment Focus Areas.
• 22 Cincinnati neighborhoods impacted including 77% that are identified as Low-Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDACs) as defined by the federal government.
• 37% of funded projects are led by a Person of Color and 53% of grants will impact more than 50% People of Color.

“We are excited to partner with the City on this important initiative,” said Sarah Weiss, Chief Philanthropy Officer at GCF. “We are grateful to GCF donors for their commitment to investing in a resilient and sustainable community. Through this partnership, we were able to double the number of grants awarded to the community. GCF is committed to ensuring we are engaged in critical community needs and together, we can create a thriving region now and for generations to come.”

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The Green Cincinnati Plan Seeds of Change Grant Program is an initiative led by the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability in partnership with the Green Cincinnati Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. GCP Seeds of Change aims to help communities take steps toward a more sustainable and equitable future. The program encourages residents and partners to initiate projects that prioritize the environment and resiliency in Cincinnati. The focus is on supporting resident-driven solutions that help those most affected by climate change in the city and bringing the GCP to life in new ways.

City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability
The Office of Environment and Sustainability (OES) leads city government and the broader community in building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Cincinnati. To meet this mission, OES leads, facilitates, and supports efforts to forward the goals of the Green Cincinnati Plan, our community’s blueprint to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

About Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Greater Cincinnati Foundation is the region’s leading community foundation, serving an eight-county region in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Through trusted partnerships and thoughtful stewardship of community assets, GCF builds a more vibrant, opportunity-rich, and equitable region for everyone – now, and for generations to come.

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