Bringing community foundations and grant makers together around shared causes was the idea behind NKY Funders’ Grants, a program that convenes philanthropists as a way to magnify their impact.
The program sponsors an annual competition for grants in six major focus areas and the finalists have just been announced.
The finalists will then compete for grants in an event open to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
The finalists and their focus areas are:
- In the area of addiction services: Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky and the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.
- For arts, culture, and humanity: Kentucky Humanities Council and Pones, Inc.
- For early childhood preparation: New Perceptions and Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank.
- Four were chosen in the area of health and wellness: Master Provisions, Northern Kentucky Education Council, Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation, and Women’s Crisis Center.
- For K-12 programming: The Carnegie and Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre.
- In the area of reducing barriers to employment: Saint Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky and Tattoo Removal, Ink.
Each NKY Funders’ Grants partner sponsoring a focus area will select a first-place winner to receive $7,500, and a second place winner to receive $5,000.
A popular vote at the event will determine an additional first place $7,500 award and a second place $5,000 award for two of the 14 finalists.
READ MORE: NKY 2018 Funders' Grants give in time for the holidays
These funders are supporting and sponsoring this year’s program:
The Butler Foundation. A private foundation that supports direct service to charities, provides “Helping Hands” hardship grants, and awards “Butler Scholar” funds to select high schools and colleges in Northern Kentucky.
The Charles H. Dater Foundation. It makes grants to non-profit organizations in Greater Cincinnati to carry out programs and projects that benefit young people in the areas of arts and culture, education, health care, social services, and other community needs.
The R.C. Durr Foundation. It is dedicated providing support to improve the quality of life of the larger Northern Kentucky region and its people, with an emphasis on education, social services, and community development.
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The region’s community foundation since 1963, it provides philanthropic support in an eight-county region in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky. It was established as a community foundation in 2017 by Northern Kentucky leaders to unite resources to raise the quality of life in the Northern Kentucky community.
The Scripps Howard Foundation. The foundation is a leader in supporting journalism education, scholarships, internships, minority recruitment and development, literacy, and First Amendment causes.
The Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation. The foundation invests funds to provide opportunities in education, community, and the arts to 501c3 organizations which provide programs in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Success By 6. Success By 6 is a regional movement to help prepare children for kindergarten and their parents and caregivers embrace their role in the success of their families.
“The best philanthropy brings many people together around an important cause,” said Scripps Howard Foundation President & CEO Liz Carter. “The diverse group of finalists in the final pitch competition have the opportunity to do just that.”
The community is invited to attend the final competition, and can purchase tickets here.
Click here to read about last year's winners.
Attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite pitch, which will add a first place $7,500 and a second place $5,000 award to the organizations receiving the most votes.
Tickets and more information can be found here.
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