The tour brings professional-quality, age-appropriate theatrical productions directly to schools across the region. All plays are performed by professional actors and feature fully designed sets and costumes to provide students with an immersive and memorable experience. To deepen the educational impact, schools are offered a post-show interaction with the actors and comprehensive teacher resource guides that support classroom learning and discussion.

Each year, the tour reaches nearly 15,000 students in grades PreK–8 throughout Greater Cincinnati. By removing barriers to access, the School Outreach Tour ensures that all students regardless of background can experience the transformative power of live theatre.

This year’s tour will feature live performances of Zombie Thoughts by Jennifer A. Kokai and Oliver Kokai-Means, and The Tortoise and the Hare by Deondra Kamau Means. 

Grants made in September:

American National Red Cross, $50,000.  Support for a newly renovated blood donation center initiative that will address the growing demand for life-saving blood products in the region. 

Assistance League of Greater Cincinnati, $75,000.  Operation School Bell is a back-to-school program that provides school clothes including uniforms, jackets, pants, shirts, underwear, socks and shoes along with hygiene supplies to about 6,000 children in need at 42 area public and parochial schools.  

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center, $25,000.  Community outreach programs provide over 10,000 art making and cooking interactions/experiences to youth after school and at summer camp.

Beech Acres Parenting Center, $50,000.  Beyond the Classroom provides full, wrap-around mental health support as service providers work with school staff to understand the needs of each student and all school families.  The program will involve nine inner-city schools in the current school year.

Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, $75,000.  The 2025-26 MainStage season features the inaugural year at the renovated Emery Theatre and four productions and about 40 performances that will be seen by an expected 100,000 students, children and families.  Students from low income families attend weekday school performances free or at a nominal charge.  Previous Dater grants totaling $450,000 supported the theatre renovation.

Cincinnati Cares, $25,000.  Operational support and technology enhancements will expand resources for volunteers seeking service opportunities with nonprofit organizations and help nonprofits attract needed volunteer support.

Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra/Summermusik, $25,000.  The Community Engagement and Education Program includes partnerships with MY Cincinnati, Immanuel School of Music, Cincinnati Art Museum, Ronald McDonald House, Heartfelt Tidbits, Mindful Music Moments/The Well and others. 

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, $30,000.  See above.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, $30,000.  An in-school education program provides exposure to the works of Shakespeare and other classics through workshops and performances.  More than 13,000 young people benefited last year, including many from schools in underserved areas.

Edge Teen Center, $35,000.  An after-school program for over 400 teens and service learning experiences for over 1,000 students at two centers in the Liberty Township and West Chester area focus on community service, healthy living, life skills and academic success, and career exploration.  Volunteers are a key part of the program.

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.  A record 7,6605 100 young people participated last year.

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, $30,000.  Roots to Boots is a citywide youth pathway initiative that connects environmental education, hands-on service learning and green workforce development into a unified continuum for almost 1,000 youth

Lincoln Heights Outreach, $20,000.  The Youth Enrichment Program provides a free, safe, supportive and engaging environment for students in Grades K-5 at Lincoln Heights Elementary School.

ProKids, $50,000.  CASA University is a year-round recruitment, screening and training program for volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates on behalf of abused and neglected children involved in child protection situations.

Queen City Book Bank, $30,000.  QCBB’s curated book distribution program provides an innovative solution to a critical literacy resource gap in the community.  An online portal receives, sorts and distributes books to Greater Cincinnati students in grades K-6 who lack consistent access to books.

SOS Art, $20,000.  General operating support includes making available cartoon books with themes on peace and justice to young people at local schools/libraries and organizing an annual youth art exhibit.

Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati, $20,000.  Inclusion Seekers Cincinnati is a year-long effort to invest in families and staff who support children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities, helping them create stronger networks of support in their lives. 

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 3,900 grants totaling over $83 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.