720 East Pete Rose Way, Suite 120
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Learning Links and Summertime Kids
Greater Cincinnati Foundation is the region’s leading community foundation, connecting people with purpose in the eight-county region. GCF exists to inspire generous people to invest in a more equitable and vibrant region, now and for generations to come. Two very impactful GCF programs have been supported by the Dater Foundation since 1993, and grant support increased significantly in 2018. With the increased support, GCF has continued to expand the impact of the programs:
• Learning Links gives teachers and other educators at local schools the opportunity to apply for classroom or school-wide projects they lack the necessary financial resources to implement. Grants are awarded up to $1,000 each. In 2020, 155 Learning Links projects were funded to be implemented in schools from the eight-county region. This amounted to $137,262 and impacted nearly 29,000 children. Of the grants awarded, approximately 54% of the students impacted were on a free or reduced lunch rate. This year, projects included virtual STEM programs, Mindful Music Moments, Math and Literacy Take Home Kits, and a variety of other enriching and educational opportunities. Tri-state teachers are always innovative, using a small amount of money in big ways.
• Summertime Kids provides small grants of up to $1,000 each to local nonprofits that provide summer programs for children and youth ages birth-18. Funded programs provide enriching and fun experiences for children. In 2020, 242 applications were received. The grant review committee selected 190 projects to fund totaling $187,277. All eight counties in the tri-state region received funding. Over 32,000 kids were served through these grants, most of whom were from low income and/or inner city areas. Many of these kids would not have had the chance to participate in these summertime activities were it not for the Summertime Kids program.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation considers the Summertime Kids program one of its most successful programs. The program has been around for 34 years and continues to help so many children and youth participate in summer programs. These programs not only have a focus on addressing summer learning loss, but also introduce kids to new, enriching experiences that expand their horizons.
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