Cincinnati Community ToolBank
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Has Far Reaching Impact
How fortun
ate we are in our region to have an organization like the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. With assets of more than $540 million, its impact is so far reaching as to touch lives in probably just about every neighborhood within its eight county region of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Just in this year alone, more than $88 million has been awarded from the Foundation. That is A LOT of good!
Its grants and leadership are provided in six key areas: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, the environment, health, and human services.
These are some highlights from the Foundation’s fourth quarter.
The Kennedy Heights Arts Center was awarded $35,000 in Cultural Vibrancy. This will support expenses at its new Annex space, including a full-time events and marketing manager.
To foster Economic Opportunity, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center received $80,000 for its Second Chance Legal Clinics, which provides employer education and expungements for victims of human t
rafficking.
To support Educational Success, the Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati received $50,000. The grant will support adult and children’s literacy services programs that provide literacy assistance.
Environmental Stewardship was supported with a two year grant of $100,000 to the Land Conservancy of Hamilton County. It will support the merger of three land conservancies working to significantly expand permanent land preservation in Hamilton, Clermont and Warren counties.
The Center for Respite Care was awarded $50,000 in the area of Health & Wellness. Funds will be used for a 24-our medical recovery service for single, homeless adults in Hamilton County and Northern Kentucky. Clients will receive support when they are discharged from hospital settings.
MORTAR received $35,000 in the area of Job Creation. MORTAR offers entrepreneurial training to individuals who could not normally afford this support. The program was created to address the displacement of low-income families in Over-the-Rhine.
To encourage Strong Communities, the Cincinnati Community ToolBank was awarded $30,000 to support the tool lending services it offers nonprofits. Since 2012, it has saved nonprofits $1.3 million.
#GoodThingsCincy
Cincinnati Community ToolBank Celebrates Anniversary
I got an email yesterday from Kat Pepmeyer, executive director of the Cincinnati Community ToolBank. She was 
announcing the one year anniversary of her organization.
It is hard to believe it has been a year since I first met Kat and heard about the ‘plans’ to fulfill a great need. The Cincinnati ToolBank stewards and lends an inventory of high quality tools including carpentry, construction, custodial, landscaping gear and more. For just three cents on the dollar of their retail value, charitable organizations can borrow tools and equipment from the ToolBank for a week.
Since its inception, the ToolBank has equipped more than 20,000 volunteers with tools to complete over 1,000 Greater Cincinnati projects. Wow!
The anniversary celebration is later this afternoon at 2001 Central Ave in Cincinnati (45214) from 4 to 7 pm.
To learn more, volunteer or join as a member agency, call 513-246-0015 or visit www.Cincinnati.toolbank.org.
