Strong Cincinnati is an engaging, cohort-based learning experience that helps non-profit professionals and their teams uncover their strengths and create systems that promote a positive culture shift within their organization - at no cost to the non-profit. Through the Institute, participants build deeper relationships with their colleagues and connect with like-minded leaders from across the city as they build capacity to create positive change through strengths. 

After the Institute, training and support continue through the Strong Cincinnati Network for the entire non-profit organization, not only participants of the Institute. The Network gives all employees of participating organizations - not just those who've directly completed the Institute - access to workshops, consults, and interactions with other Institute alumni to continue transforming their organization’s culture to create positive change.

Grants awarded in February:

1N5, $30,000.  The Building Resiliency in Youth program provides mental health screening and education at nearly 100 schools and combats the growing mental health epidemic which affects an estimated one in five young people

Boy Scouts of America, Dan Beard Council, $25,000.  ScoutREACH ensures that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting by delivering the Cub Scout and Boy Scout program to low income and underserved minority youth.  More than 2,000 participate.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation -- Learning Links, $125,000 and Summertime Kids $125,000.  The Learning Links program funds small grants of up to $1,250 to teachers and other educators allowing them to provide creative programs or special events for more than 30,000 area students.  Summertime Kids of up to $1,000 are administered through a volunteer committee and enable local nonprofit organizations to provide summer activities such as field trips, day camps, gardening, arts and crafts for deserving some 12,000 young people.  

Historic Southwest Ohio, $20,000.  Education programs and outreach focus on history and life in the 19th century for nearly young people in kindergarten through high school.  More than 5,000 typically participate.

Ken Anderson Alliance, $25,000.  The Transition ENGAGE program serves young adults ages 18 to 21 with disabilities providing social experiences and help in learning life skills that are taught and practiced in small group settings. 

Mayerson Academy, $25,000.  The Strong Cincinnati Institute is a cohort-based learning experience that helps non-profit professionals and their team uncover their strengths and create systems that promote a positive cultural shift within their organization.  There is no cost to the non-profit.

New Life Furniture Bank, $35,000.  Beds for Kids is part of a program that provides up to 18 pieces of donated, gently-used furniture at no cost for low income families living in bare or sparsely furnished housing.  When donated beds are not available, the organization purchases them. 

Wesley Chapel Mission Center, 20,000.  The KLASS program (Keep Learning After School Stops) is available Monday through Friday to PreK-Grade 6 children who benefit from homework help, engage in academic and enrichment activities, eat a healthy snack and participate in monthly community service projects.

The Dater Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area to carry out programs that benefit young people 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 3,400 grants totaling over $60 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 700 Walnut Street, Suite 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202.