History of The Erma A. Bantz Foundation Erma A. Bantz lived in Cincinnati for 95 years. As a child and through most of her adult life, Erma suffered from severe hearing loss. Later in her life, Erma fought eye problems which diminished her sight. Although Erma’s hearing and sight were surgically improved in her later years, she continued to suffer from diminished hearing and sight until her death in 2006.
Erma’s desire was to create a Foundation which would provide funds to improve the lives of people who suffer hearing or visual impairments. Erma wanted to help others who suffer hearing and/or visual impairment as she did. Thus, Erma’s creation of The Erma A. Bantz Foundation.
The Erma A. Bantz Foundation was established after Erma's death and has partnered with The Greater Cincinnati Foundation so as to obtain assistance in making grants.
Purpose of The Foundation The Foundation supports various organizations that have as one of their stated purposes the support of and/or aid to the visually impaired ("Visually Impaired Organizations") and the hearing impaired ("Hearing Impaired Organizations"). Sixty percent (60%) of the assets of the Foundation will be devoted to Visually Impaired Organizations and forty percent (40%) of the assets of the Foundation will be devoted to Hearing Impaired Organizations.
Policies and Restrictions: Applicant must have an IRS determination as a 501(c)(3) organization.The Foundation makes grants to organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area serving the visually impaired and hearing impaired. The Greater Cincinnati area shall include: Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana..
The Foundation will not provide continuing operational support to any grantee, and discourages annual requests. Grantees are advised to wait at least one (1) year from the date of last grant payment before reapplying to the Foundation. An organization that has previously had an Application declined by the Foundation may resubmit an Application after six (6) months from the date its original Application was declined.
Grants will not be made to individuals, taxing authorities or political subdivisions.
The Foundation usually prefers to participate along with other donors in the support of a specific project.
As a grantseeker, if you believe that your organization qualifies for applying to the Foundation, please complete and submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) as found on the link below.
The Erma A. Bantz Foundation Letter of Inquiry
LOI Deadline
Proposal Deadline
Notice of Decision
February 15
April 1
July 31
August 16
October 1
December 31
Directors of Foundation
C. Gregory Schmidt, Esq. 600 Vine Street, Suite 2700 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513-721-4450
William J. Liss, Esq. 600 Vine Street, Suite 2700 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513-721-4450
Grant Evaluation Form
The Foundation Trustees require a report at the end of a grant period. Click on the Word icon on the left to access the Grant Evaluation Form. Please complete this Form and mail to Jennie Geisheimer at 200 West Fourth St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 or e-mail the form to geisheimerj@gcfdn.org.
