Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation awarding millions to local nonprofits

The Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation will be hosting “Energy and Zeal” on Thursday July 30 from 7pm to 9pm at the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center, located in Uptown, to recognize its 10-year milestone and honor its partners.  The Energy and Zeal event will also announced the recipients of the first $1.3 million of the total $2.1 million of grants from the Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation.

Event organizers say that Bootsy Collins and radio/TV personality Lincoln Ware will be there to entertain the crowd.  There will be music by Nate White and his nine-piece classic Jazz/R&B/Funk/Soul band, plenty of food and prizes to go around.  WLWT’s Courtis Fuller will also be there to emcee the event.

The recipients of the Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation’s grant money are local nonprofits that were asked to submit proposals about the innovative programs they are using that will help enhance the economic vitality and workforce development within Cincinnati’s nine Empowerment Zone neighborhoods.

The response to the initial request has reportedly been immediate.  “With the economy at its worst in decades, many nonprofits are being forced to tackle bigger needs with fewer resources,” says the Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation who goes on to say that this grant money will help prevent reduced services and staff cuts during this challenging economic time.

“This could definitely be considered a mini-economic stimulus package for Cincinnati’s nine Empowerment Zone neighborhoods,” says president and CEO of the Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation Harold Cleveland.  “Our $2.1 million grant pool will go a long way in helping these organizations not only to remain viable, but also to introduce some much-needed new services.”

The grants will be distributed throughout Cincinnati’s nine Empowerment Zone neighborhoods (Avondale, CUF, Corryville, Evanston, Mt. Auburn, Over-the-Rhine, Queensgate, Walnut Hills and the West End) within four core areas of investment.

Economic & Workforce Development will account for $764,037, Civic & Infrastructure will see $220,000, Individual & Family Well-Being will have $170,000 and the Housing & Neighborhood Environment core area will account for $210,000 of the total grant money.

If you are interested in attending the Energy and Zeal event you can make reservations by calling (513) 588-0889, or by emailing [email protected].

Writer: Randy A. Simes

Enjoy this story? Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.