StEP is a nationally recognized elementary school program that has shown a marked increase in student engagement, attendance, self-esteem, academic achievement, and increases educator effectiveness.  The program addresses two key educational needs at an early age:  the need for classroom engagement as well as the need for 21st century skills related to entrepreneurship, critical-thinking, and financial responsibility.  

Grants made in May:

ArtWorks, $15,000.  The Youth Apprentice program employs about 200 young artists ages 14-21 who work alongside professional artists to produce 15-20 arts-related projects around Greater Cincinnati. 

Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, $25,000.  Early Childhood and Youth Services Music Program, including the Annual Music Recital and partial support of two music specialists.

Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation, $50,000.  College scholarships for graduating seniors at Gilbert A. Dater High School in Western Hills. This continues annual support that began in 1996 with scholarships to graduating seniors who had attended Dater Junior High and shifted with support to Dater High School with its first graduating class in 2003.  Scholarship awards over the years total more than $1,000,000.

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, $10,000.  Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates provides over 700 at-risk youth with the essential knowledge, training, foundational employability skills and business resources necessary to ensure successful, retainable employment. 

Gilbert Dater High School, $14,000. Momentum Summer Bridge Program to provide summer enrichment and transition support to youngsters moving to the seventh grade, and a new AP Boot Camp program will prepare students for Advanced Placement courses.

Economics Center for Education and Research, $15,000.  The Student Enterprise Program (StEP) provides students with real-world applications of economics principles as they set up their own mini-economy in their classroom, save and invest their “school cash,” and create and sell goods and services at Market Madness.  The Center is part of the University of Cincinnati and focuses on education and research.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, $35,000.  Education outreach, including free intern performances in area schools and community centers, a Teen Scene initiative, and underwritten student/children show admission that enriches school curriculum and touches the lives of at-risk children in Over-the-Rhine and throughout Greater Cincinnati. 

Price Hill Will, $15,000.  The MYCincinnati program uses music to promote social change and youth development in Price Hill through a free, daily orchestra program during the school year and a summer camp program that serves about 250 young people.

St. Xavier High School, $10,000.  Rising sixth and seventh graders from diverse and low-to-moderate income backgrounds apply and are selected to participate in a four-week summer enrichment program that prepares high achievers for a rigorous college preparatory curriculum.

Urban Health Project (University of Cincinnati Foundation on behalf of Center for Community Engagement), $10,000.  Medical students spend their only open summer working full-time in internships at non-profit organizations, where they gain an increased understanding of the social factors that impact healthcare.

Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing Center, $20,000.  The Back-to-School program provides clothing, personal care items, back packs and school supplies to about 1,000 children in low-income families.

The Dater Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area to carry out programs that benefit children and focus in the areas of arts/culture, education, healthcare, social services and other community needs. Information about the grantmaking process and guidelines and links to an online grant application website are available at www.DaterFoundation.org.

The private foundation was established by fourth-generation Cincinnatian, businessman and philanthropist Charles Dater (1912-1993) to ensure that his resources would continue to fund worthwhile community programs after his death. The foundation has made more than 2,600 grants totaling over $41 million since its inception in 1985. 

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For additional information regarding this news release, contact Roger Ruhl (513/598-1141).

The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. is located at 602 Main Street, Suite 302, Cincinnati, OH 45202.