Cincy Reporter

The City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability (OES), the Green Cincinnati Fund Advisory Committee, and Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) have announced the awardees from the inaugural round of the Green Cincinnati Plan Seeds of Change Grant Program. Nineteen grassroots nonprofits were selected to receive grants totaling $196,769 in this first round. Projects were chosen by a diverse volunteer review committee based on eligibility requirements and alignment with stated priorities.

Oliver Kroner, Director of the OES, stated, “Moving toward our ambitious goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, especially considering how differently heat waves, erosion, flooding, and air quality impact the most vulnerable in our city. With the GCP Seeds of Change Program up and running, we look to residents to lead us toward localized solutions to building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Cincinnati. Special thanks to GCF and their partnership with generous donors for co-funding – without their effort we would only be making half of the impact.”

Funding available for this round increased by 97% thanks to GCF’s co-funding efforts for a total of $196,769 in City and GCF dollars. Forty-eight percent of proposals received could be recommended for funding based on funds available. Six out of eight GCP Focus Areas will be activated by grants with the highest number going to projects in the Food and Natural Environment Focus Areas. Twenty-two Cincinnati neighborhoods will be impacted including 77% that are identified as Low-Income Disadvantaged Communities (LIDACs) as defined by the federal government. Thirty-seven percent of funded proposals are led by a Person of Color and 53% of grants will impact more than 50% people of color.

The Green Cincinnati Plan Seeds of Change Grant Program is an initiative led by the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment and Sustainability in partnership with the Green Cincinnati Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The program aims to help communities take steps toward a more sustainable and equitable future by encouraging residents and partners to initiate projects that prioritize environmental resilience in Cincinnati.