program operationsorganizational operating expensesgeneral organizational support
About Greater Cincinnati Foundation
A defining feature of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s recent grantmaking is its very large programmatic support to environmental and conservation nonprofits, including two 2025 grants of $46,117,979 each to Nature Conservancy Inc National and two 2025 grants of $10,968,851 each to Conservation International Foundation. That scale sits alongside local support in Greater Cincinnati through grants to organizations such as United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Sycamore Community Schools. The foundation also shows a broad mix of charitable purposes, from education and housing to community and cultural vibrancy, while using both general-purpose and project-restricted funding.
The foundation’s recent activity includes major awards to regional institutions as well as national charities. It has made repeated support to World Vision, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Alliance to End Plastic Waste Inc, and Save the Children Federation Inc, reflecting a portfolio that reaches well beyond its immediate region. At the same time, its program offerings include place-based and education-focused grant programs, scholarship administration, and named funds for performing arts and disability-related support. The result is a funder with both local community investment and large-scale, multi-year philanthropic commitments.
What Greater Cincinnati Foundation Funds
In environmental and conservation work, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation gave $5,000,000 to Bonneville Environmental Foundation for programmatic support and also made a $3,000,000 grant to Alliance to End Plastic Waste Inc for programmatic support. Those awards sit alongside multiple-year support to conservation groups, showing that this is a recurring area of investment.
Education is another clear focus. The foundation awarded $4,136,506 to Sycamore Community Schools for programmatic support and $3,121,500 to Royalmont Academy for programmatic support. It also made a $2,252,900 general-purpose grant to University of Cincinnati Foundation, aligning with its education and higher-education interests.
Community support appears through local operating-style grants, including $4,228,242 to United Way of Greater Cincinnati for programmatic support. Its active programs also point to place-based and capacity-building funding across education, housing, and community vibrancy.
How Greater Cincinnati Foundation Gives
Typical grants cluster in the middle range: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $20,000, and p75 is $51,500. The recent-grants list also shows a small number of very large awards, indicating a mixed portfolio with both routine smaller grants and outsized programmatic commitments. Recipients recur across multiple years, including Nature Conservancy Inc National, Conservation International Foundation, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, World Vision, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and Alliance to End Plastic Waste Inc. The foundation is a community foundation and also makes program-related investments. Its active programs include RFP-driven cycles and other administered funds, and several programs accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$616.8M
Total Assets
$1B
Total Revenue
$183.7M
Total Expenses
$200.6M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $52K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$52K
Geographic Reach
National51 states funded
About 50% of grants go to recipients in NH.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Deep Analysis
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Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, and 50% of grants go to recipients in Ohio. Recent grants also reach well outside the state, with substantial activity in Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Portland, OR; Orlando, FL; Federal Way, WA; Alexandria, VA; and Fairfield, CT. Within its local market, Cincinnati appears repeatedly through recipients such as United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Sycamore Community Schools, with additional Greater Cincinnati-area support reaching Mason, OH. The top state by grant count is New Hampshire, showing that where the foundation gives most often differs from its Cincinnati headquarters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greater Cincinnati Foundation
What kinds of work does The Greater Cincinnati Foundation support?
Its active programs and recent grants point to education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, capacity building, performing arts, scholarships, and support for the visually impaired. Recent awards include support for schools, community organizations, conservation groups, and arts funds administered by the foundation.
How large are typical grants?
The median grant size is $20,000, with a 25th percentile of $10,000 and a 75th percentile of $51,500. The recent-grants list also includes several much larger programmatic awards, showing a wide spread in grant size.
Does the foundation fund the Greater Cincinnati area?
Yes. Half of its grants go to recipients in Ohio, and recent local recipients include United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Sycamore Community Schools, University of Cincinnati Foundation, and Royalmont Academy. Its active programs also target Greater Cincinnati and the broader tristate region.
Are there recurring grant recipients?
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years in the recent-grants list, including Nature Conservancy Inc National, Conservation International Foundation, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, World Vision, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and Alliance to End Plastic Waste Inc.
Can nonprofits apply through open requests for proposals?
Yes. Active programs include RFP-driven and open RFP cycles for education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and capacity building. The foundation also lists programs such as Vibrant Places and Educational Success as accepting unsolicited requests.
MATTHEW RANDAZZO
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Latest 990 Filing
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Greater Cincinnati Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses Oct 1, 2026
The Erma A. Bantz Foundation (administered by GCF)
disabilityvisual impairment
Who can apply: Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; in most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area; foundations usually prefer to participate along with other donors in support of a specific project; most applicants must wait 24 months after final payment of a grant or decline of an application before reapplying.
The Thomas J. Emery Memorial (administered by GCF)
arts and cultureeducationcommunity
Who can apply: Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; in most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area; the foundation usually prefers specific projects and most applicants must wait 24 months after final payment or decline before reapplying.
The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation Fund (administered by GCF)
performing artsarts and culture
Who can apply: Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; in most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area; the fund focuses on charitable initiatives in the performing arts; most applicants must wait 24 months after final payment or decline before reapplying.
The Andrew Jergens Foundation (administered by GCF)
childreneducationhealth+2 more
Who can apply: Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; in most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area; the foundation usually prefers specific projects; most applicants must wait 24 months after final payment or decline before reapplying.
Deadline: LOI Deadline: November 15, February 15 and June 15.
Private Foundation Funding (GCF-administered private foundation grant programs)
educationhousingcommunity and cultural vibrancy+5 more
Who can apply: Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area. Foundations often prefer to participate with other donors in support of a specific project. In most cases there is a 24-month waiting period after final payment or decline before reapplying, except declined LOIs.
Deadline: Varies by foundation; examples include May 1 and October 1; June 15 and December 1; May 15; June 27/August 15; January 15 and May 15; November 15, February 15 and June 15
Who can apply: Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; in most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area; the fund prefers specific projects; most applicants must wait 24 months after final payment or decline before reapplying.
Deadline: RFP Release: June 27; LOI Deadline: August 15.
Who can apply: Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; in most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area; the foundation usually prefers specific projects; most applicants must wait 24 months after final payment or decline before reapplying.
The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation (administered by GCF)
education
Who can apply: Applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status; in most cases organizations must be located in the Greater Cincinnati area; the foundation usually prefers to participate with other donors in support of a specific project; most applicants must wait 24 months after final payment or decline before reapplying.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
