Greater Cincinnati Literacy Grant ($100,000 - Collaborative Program)

Greater Cincinnati Family Literacy Grant

Program Type: Collaborative grant supporting childhood literacy in underserved communities

Partners:

• Scripps Howard Foundation
• Greater Cincinnati Foundation
• WCPO 9 On Your Side

Geographic Scope:

• Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, or Warren counties in Ohio
• Boone, Kenton, or Campbell counties in Kentucky
• Dearborn County in Indiana

Focus Areas:

• Family literacy for children birth through third grade
• Programs serving families living in poverty
• Book distribution and access initiatives
• Literacy skills development
• Summer reading programs
• School-year literacy support
• Early childhood literacy resources

Eligibility Requirements:

• Organization Type: 501(c)(3) nonprofit with IRS status
• Service Area: Must serve children and families living in poverty in eligible tri-state counties
• Target Age: Focus on literacy skills of children birth through third grade (or subset of age range)
• Services: Direct services to children and families living in poverty
• Restrictions: Nonprofit may NOT be a grant-making agency
• Program Duration: Requests accepted for one-year or two-year periods

Program Requirements:

• Understand needs of families living in poverty
• Ensure access by bringing resources to community or offering transportation
• Provide quantitative and qualitative measurement outcomes
• Demonstrate prior program success or base on successful models
• Demonstrate ability to sustain program at end of grant period
• Consideration given to organizations with racial equity strategies
• Preference for organizations partnering with others for additional resources

Past Recipients:

• 2019: Prescription for Reading program (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center)
• 2018: Brighton Center (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters)
• 2017: Princeton City School District (mobile book center)

Selection Timeline:

• Mid-January: Letter of Intent deadline (noon)
• Early February: Up to 10 finalists invited to full application
• Late February: Full applications due
• Mid-March: Up to 3 semi-finalists announced
• Late March: Site visits with semi-finalists
• April: Winner announced at Scripps Howard Awards ceremony

Contact:

• Rebecca Cochran, Scripps Howard Foundation, 513-977-3023
• Jaclyn Sablosky, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 513-768-6131

Application Process

Step 1: Letter of Intent

• Deadline: Mid-January (e.g., January 24 at noon for 2020 cycle)
• Submission: Online at Scripps Howard Foundation website
• Content: Brief description of proposed program, target population, and organizational capacity

Step 2: Finalist Selection

• Timeline: Early February (e.g., February 4)
• Selection: Up to 10 nonprofits invited to complete full application
• Notification: Invited organizations notified to proceed with full application

Step 3: Full Application

• Deadline: Late February (e.g., February 21)
• Format: Comprehensive grant application
• Required Information:
  • Detailed program description and goals
  • Target population and geographic service area
  • Quantifiable and qualitative outcomes
  • Program sustainability plan post-grant period
  • Organizational 501(c)(3) documentation
  • Demonstrated need and impact
  • Budget and use of funds
  • Racial equity strategy (if applicable)
  • Partnerships and collaborations

Step 4: Semi-Finalist Site Visits

• Announcement: Mid-March (e.g., March 12)
• Selection: Up to 3 semi-finalists
• Visits: Week of late March/early April
• Format: In-person evaluation by funder representatives

Step 5: Winner Announcement

• Ceremony: April (Scripps Howard Awards event)
• Notification: Public announcement at annual awards ceremony

Required Eligibility Documentation:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit certification
• Proof of service delivery in eligible counties
• Financial information and audit reports
• Program evaluation data

Submission Portal: Scripps Howard Foundation website (specific URL provided at application period opening)