Eligibility
GCF accepts grant requests from tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations located in and/or primarily serving the Greater Cincinnati area.
Nonprofit organizations may receive only one grant within any 12-month period. Exceptions may be made in cases where one nonprofit organization serves as fiscal agent for another.
GCF typically awards grants for one year. In selected instances, GCF will accept requests for multiyear grants. An applicant seeking multiyear support must demonstrate that such support is essential to the success of the project.
What we look for in an applicant …
- Established and fiscally sound organization*
- Strong governance
- Demonstrated organizational capacity and track record
- Sound short-term and long-range plans
What we look for in a proposal …
- Clear fit with GCF's funding priorities
- Project feasibility
- Clearly documented community need or opportunity
- Where appropriate, documented evidence of best practices
- Measurable program outcomes and community impact
- Realistic sustainability plan
- Leverage of other financial and in-kind resources
- Where appropriate, a focus on systemic solutions
Limitations
GCF does not typically make grants from its discretionary unrestricted funds for the following purposes or activities:
| Individuals |
Regular operating costs or capital projects for individual public, private or parochial schools, universities, hospitals, nursing or retirement homes |
| Units of government or government agencies |
Endowments |
| Religious organizations for religious purposes |
Scholarships |
| Ongoing operating expenses |
Loans |
| Annual fundraising drives; event sponsorship or underwriting |
Scholarly or medical research |
| Stand-alone books, films or videos |
Partisan political advocacy |
| Stand-alone travel expenses for conferences or educational purposes |
Debt retirement or funding of an activity after it is completed |
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