We strive to make the application process as smooth and easy as possible. Our Community Investment staff is available to answer your questions and guide you through the application process. For more information, please call GCF’s Community Investment staff at 513-241-2880.

New Grantmaking Process
In 2008, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation redesigned its grantmaking process. We listened to our nonprofit stakeholders and responded to their needs by making grant applications and review processes more relevant and user-friendly.  

As part of the new process, we have moved to a totally online application process, GCF GO (Grants Online). We also changed our committee structure to involve more people from across our community. Oversight of the entire grant process will be conducted by a Community Investment Committee. To help us make sound decisions in each of our six focus areas, we will convene six new advisory committees: Arts & Culture, Community and Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services.

Some other key points about our redesigned process:
  • The total amount of GCF funding available to make grants to nonprofits organizations in our region will not change.
  • A pre-application form will let you know within 30 days whether GCF will consider your proposal.
  • Nonprofits seeking grants of up to $20,000 can get a decision in eight weeks or less.
  • Capital campaign funding requests will continue to be considered once a year.
  • All other grants above $20,000 will be awarded twice a year.
  • More multi-year grants will be available, along with capital, program or project, and capacity-building grants.
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 Click the thumbnail at left for a complete copy of our Guidelines for Preparing a Grant Proposal in PDF format. Please review the information about eligibility, funding priorities, limitations, and schedule before contacting GCF.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. All potential grant applicants must contact GCF as a first step. For more information, please contact Kay Pennington, Community Investment Coordinator, at 513-241-2880.