Launched in 2018 by Mayerson Academy (now merged with VIA Institute) Strong Workplace Solutions (SWS) helps nonprofits in Greater Cincinnati meet the demands they face by expanding their capacity and deepening their impact through transformative professional learning, consulting, and peer-to-peer collaboration, all at no cost. 

The model is a comprehensive intervention – capacity building and culture change take time, so we partner with organizations throughout the process, not just at the beginning. 

Knowing that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for the diverse nonprofit sector is why the approach is customized in response to the unique needs and context of each partner. Finally, structures are embedded into program design to ensure sustainability as partner organizations support each other throughout the change process.  This starts with the Strong Institute and then through the Strong Network, and finally through Strong Intensives, the deepest intervention. 

The grant funds development and implementation of the Strong Intensive Series as cohorts of nonprofits complete six intensive courses they will be eligible for Strong Certification.

Grants made in December:

Greater Cincinnati Foundation (Learning Links and Summertime Kids), $250,000.  The Learning Links program funds small grants to teachers and other educators allowing them to provide creative programs or special events for area students.  Summertime Kids grants enable local nonprofit organizations to provide summer activities such as field trips, day camps, gardening, arts and crafts for deserving young people.  Mini-grants of up to $2,500 are administered by a volunteer committee and they impact more than 50,000 young people each year.

North Fairmont Community Center, $25,000.  The after-school and summer programs and kids’ cooking classes provide high risk elementary school children from very low-income families with educational support , physical exercise, and new skills development that increase their opportunities to succeed.

St. Vincent de Paul - Northern Kentucky, $30,000. The Sweet Dreams Bed Program follows up in-home visits by volunteers and provides a twin bed to about 600 economically disadvantaged children and youth.

Via Institute - $35,000.  The Strong Workplace Solutions program helps local nonprofit organizations to expand their capacity and deepen their impact.  See above.

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.