Millstone Fund Grant

The Millstone Fund aims to foster a vibrant, equitable community in Greater Cincinnati by supporting nonprofit organizations focused on health, education, and arts. The fund prioritizes initiatives that promote innovation, capacity building, and collaborative efforts among organizations. Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000, with a commitment to inclusion and equity. Requests exceeding $50,000 require prior approval. The fund seeks to invest in organizations that demonstrate a clear plan for sustainability and impactful services.

NOTE: Any request in excess of $50,000 requires communication and approval from Millstone Fund staff prior to LOI submission.
Goals & Intentions
Making thoughtful investments in organizations that lead to improvement, innovation, expanded capabilities, and the availability of impactful services and resources for the community
We support nonprofit partners with deep commitments to improving the populations they serve in Greater Cincinnati in the areas of Health, Education, and Arts. Priority is given to those organizations who demonstrate their ability to create a more equitable community.
What We Support
Capacity Building – Funding that strengthens an organization in support of its mission. This may include activities such as professional development/training and planning to sharpen organizational focus and strategy.Capital – Funding for facilities, equipment, and technology.General Operating – Funding for general support that is not restricted to a particular purpose. Millstone Fund will consider general operating support primarily for established organizations that have a history of success and a clear plan for long-term sustainability. Note that these requests will be evaluated relative to the full organizational budget, and these awards will be less frequent and smaller relative to the other grant types.Project/Program – Funding for a designated initiative or endeavor within an organization. Program grants may include a proportionate share of overhead.Innovation Seed Funding – Funding awarded to help launch a specified new project, program, or initiative that addresses an important need and gap in the community. Millstone Fund will consider requests to develop and test new ideas important to demonstrate “proof of concept.”
Funding
Currently, unsolicited grant requests, especially those for operating/program support, will, if awarded, average $20,000-$30,000. Unsolicited grant requests, operating/program support requests (unless approved by board), and/or requests from organizations new to Millstone Fund should not exceed $50,000. Requests will generally not be considered for less than $10,000.
Any request in excess of $50,000 requires communication and approval from Millstone Fund staff prior to LOI submission.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations include non-profit organizations with active 501(c)(3) status and that directly benefit residents of greater Cincinnati in the areas of health, education, and/or arts.Millstone Fund is committed to inclusion, equity, and a sense of belonging for all people in our community. Requests should reflect the ways in which programming aligns with these values.Millstone Fund typically expects an organization to complete a full grant period, including an evaluation follow-up report, prior to submitting another LOI for the same need. Organizations typically will not receive funding for the same need at a frequency less than every two years.Multi-year awards will be by invitation only or in response to a specific Request for Applications (RFA).

Ineligibility

Requests are not considered for:Organizations with a mission to advance a specific religion or specific religious practices. This includes support for schools with a religious affiliation.
Endowments (larger campaign requests which include endowment funding in the proposal scope should specify that no funds will be used towards the creation or sustaining of endowment).
Organizations with a primary mission to support animal causes.
Organizations outside the United States.