The grant to Crayons is part of a $600,000 commitment that will support a current $6,1-million campaign to enhance the organization’s expansion of services.  Focus areas include expanding both the Hubbard’s Cupboard program online ordering, optimization and modernization of physical spaces, and increased accessibility by eliminating teacher access Fees.  Crayons will double the number of students and teachers served by 2030-31 to an estimated 9,000 teachers and 120,000 students.

Grants made in March:

1N5, $40,000.  The Building Resiliency in Youth program provides mental health screening and education for over 250,000 students at 250 schools and combats the growing mental health epidemic which affects an estimated one in five young people.

Cancer Family Care, $25,000.  Treehouse Children's Services is a core program offered free for youth ages four through 18 who are coping with their own diagnosis, a loved one’s cancer diagnosis or the death of a loved one from cancer.

CISE (Catholic Inner City Education Fund), $60,000.  The CISE/Friars Club After-school Study and Sports Program provides a stable, structured environment in which students are able to complete homework assignments and then participate in a sports program. They learn respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and team building while developing good habits for a lifetime.

Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, $30,000.  The Center provides comprehensive low-vision rehabilitation services for youth ages 3-21 who are living with irreversible vision loss that interferes with school performance or daily living activities.

Council on Child Abuse, $25,000.  The Council on Child Abuse (COCA) provides educational and public awareness programs to prevent and stop abuse and bullying where children live, learn, and play. COCA's School-Based Personal Safety Program supports schools in teaching safety and assault prevention, including dating violence prevention for older students.

Crayons to Computers, $200,000 (first of three $200,000 grants).  See above.

Down Syndrome Association, $20,000.  Early Matters programming supports families who have received a Down syndrome diagnosis and provides guidance, encouragement and information.   

Go Pantry, $30,000.  GO Bags at the start of the 2025-26 school year are part of a larger program that provides reliable food to underserved kids during the summer months, weekends in the the school year, and extended school breaks when they are away from school and its free or reduced lunch program. 

Great Parks Forever, $25,000.  Nature Interpreter-led educational opportunities are offered free or at a reduced rate both in and out of school settings with a focus on conservation and the natural world.  The program includes an Outdoor Adventure Expo, Nature Center at the Summit, and scholarships. 

Inter Parish Ministry, $50,000.  Drive-through food pantries and mobile pantries as well as a recently opened 12,000 square foot consolidated pantry site and distribution center help IPM deal with increased demand and post-pandemic food insecurity issues.  About two million pounds of food were dispensed in 2024.

North Fairmount 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.

UpSpring, $30,000.  Summer 360°, the organization’s successful summer education program, is a free, seven-week academic and enrichment program that aims to help 180 homeless children ages 5-14 gain needed math and literacy skills.  

Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, $25,000.  Youth Council Urban Champions utilizes an asset-based approach to help youth achieve academic, career, and life goals by developing resiliency, leadership, determination, cultural competency, and community connections.  The program impacts 300 youth ages 11-19.

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 3,800 grants totaling over $80 million since its inception in 1985.