Cincinnati, Ohio, April 2, 2022 – The Charles H. Dater Foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $260,000 in March, including a $25,000 grant to Breakthrough Cincinnati for its Academic Scholars Program.

Inequities in the educational system affect underserved youth. The achievement gap they experience widens after fifth grade and continues as they progress through school. The situation has grown worse during the pandemic.  Students continue to fall behind in academics, which minimizes the opportunity to graduate from high school on time and enroll in college.

Breakthrough Cincinnati identifies high achieving underserved students to take part in a meaningful, tuition-free program using proven instructional and interpersonal methods to create a safe haven for learning and growth. Small class sizes of 8-10 students, quality instruction and mentorship from Teaching Fellows, appropriate program duration, and attendance tracking addresses the academic loss experienced during the summer, reduce the achievement gap, and place students from underserved communities on the path to college.

Grants awarded in March:

Breakthrough Cincinnati, $30,000.  A six-week summer academic program in which 400-plus select inner-city middle school students are taught by high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in education.  The year-round program features intensive one-on-one mentoring attention.  There is no charge to students accepted into the program.

Cincinnati Arts Association, $25,000.  Hybrid programming in 2021-22 academic year is featured for both the Artists on Tour and SchoolTime, providing on-demand and live-streamed virtual performances, transportation and tickets to in-person performances at the Aronoff Center, and classroom arts infusion.

Cincinnati Ballet, $25,000.  Cincy Dance! is a collaborative effort between the Ballet and local schools that provides free, long-term dance instruction to students in the community. The three-phase program starts with dance instruction to third graders and includes scholarships to a more intensive training program for those who excel.  Education is currently both virtual and in-person.

East End Adult Education Center, $25,000.  Free GED education and job readiness skills instruction is available to young people and adults who have dropped out of school and need credentials to improve their opportunity for success in life.

Great Parks Forever, $25,000.  Programming in 2022 marks the return to more in-person activities, including Urban Farm Fest and Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo.  Virtual programming will also continue as a way to reach under-resourced audiences.

Milestones, $25,000.  The Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program teaches basic horsemanship skills and grooming to nurture emotional health and improve cognitive, physical and psychological function for young people with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome and other similar diagnoses.  

Ohio River Foundation, $25,000.  Ohio River Foundation, $25,000.  River Explorer and the Mussels in the Classroom are hands-on programs that introduce students to the benefits of environmental stewardship.

Stepping Stones, $30,000.  Saturday Kids Club provides extracurricular activities for children ages five to 16 whose disabilities prevent them from participating fully in typical after-school activities, and Saturday Young Adults offers late-afternoon and early evening social opportunities for similarly disabled young people.

UpSpring, $25,000.  Summer 360°, the organization’s successful summer education program, is a free, seven-week academic and enrichment program helps over homeless children ages 5-14 gain needed math and literacy skills.  

Xavier University, $25,000.  The summer service internship program fosters young people’s commitment to community service by placing 20 college students in full-time, eight-week internships at non-profit organizations, and hundreds of community members benefit from the work they do.

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.