Boots on the Ground Fund Returns with Additional Funding

CINCINNATI (November 15, 2023) — Greater Cincinnati Foundation is pleased to announce a second round of Boots on the Ground Fund grants in its continued efforts to strengthen the capacity of small, community-based organizations driving change in our city. Thanks to a partnership with the City of Cincinnati and Interact for Health, more than $750,000 will be made available for this unprecedented initiative dedicated to small, grassroots organizations that demonstrate the involvement of community members in its decision-making and give voices to those directly impacted by issues. The funding focus areas are housing, food and healthcare access, gun violence prevention, workforce and youth development, mental health, and substance use services.

Initially, this fund started in 2022 with a $300,000 gift from the City of Cincinnati paired with funding from Greater Cincinnati Foundation. It has more than doubled in size thanks to the generous support of Interact for Health, and increased support from the City of Cincinnati, led by council members Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon-Kearney and Representative Greg Landsman.

Vice Mayor Lemon-Kearney shares, “The City of Cincinnati is increasing our support for the Boots on the Ground Fund from $300,000 to $500,000 because we want to make sure that grassroots organizations with excellent programs can reach their full potential. These small, community-based nonprofits have close, trust-based relationships with community members and a deep understanding of their needs.”

“Greater Cincinnati Foundation continues to put community members at the helm of this decision-making process because we know that those who are closest to the issues at hand are also the most equipped to provide aid and just as importantly, solutions,” says Rasheda Cromwell, Vice President, Community Strategies at Greater Cincinnati Foundation. 

The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released on November 15, 2023. Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations with an operating budget of less than $1M and projects that directly serve residents within the City of Cincinnati. The deadline to apply is January 18, 2024. For more information, please visit gcfdn.org/rfp.

###

About Greater Cincinnati Foundation
As the region’s leading community foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation connects people with purpose in an eight-county region in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. GCF is leading the charge toward a more vibrant and equitable region for everyone – now, and for generations to come.

Media Contact