Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Michele Carey Makes Impact
Today I want to introduce a woman who I have known for many years. Michele Carey is like a breath of fresh air when she enters a room with her brilliant smile that touches my heart in a deep place. Her career choices have found her in positions that have the power to impact lives and communities in positive ways. I know that in the opportunities I have had to work with her – or be in the same room with her – that she has had a magical way of uplifting and inspiring me. We had lunch the other day. As she spoke of her job at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and her new side venture, selling jewelry for good causes, passion swept over her face. This is a woman who finds so much self satisfaction in her impact. I am glad to have Michele in my part of the world.
Please learn more about her below.
Lisa: Please tell us more about you.
Michele: I’m not from Cincinnati, but it’s my home after 20 years living here, raising a family, and getting to know so many wonderful people in our community. I came to The University of Cincinnati for graduate school, briefly moved to Chicago for my husband’s work, and returned when we were expecting our first child.
I live in Mt. Lookout with my husband and two children and I work at The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF). I help professional advisors introduce their charitably minded clients to GCF. I have the best job. Every day, I work with big hearted people who have even bigger dreams for our community.
After 11 years, I just ended my service as a Trustee for The Cincinnati Association for the Blind. Last year, I joined the board of Cincinnati Public Radio —a dream volunteer job since I’m a total public radio geek! I serve as President of the Estate Planning Council of Northern Kentucky and an Advisory board member to YMCA Camp Ernst.
Lisa: There is a quote that I love that talks about how the world needs more people to follow their passions. You have such a sparkle in your eye when you talk about what you do professionally. Talk to us about that and why that puts a sparkle in your eye.
Michele: Thanks, Lisa! I heard that if you love your work, you never work a day in your life. That’s the secret to my sparkle! Working at The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, I love hearing our donors’ stories, discovering what matters to them, and learning how they’d like to change the world. My joy is connecting them with the people, organizations, and ideas that help them accomplish their charitable vision.
It’s perfect for me. I’ve always been a natural connector, even in my personal life; once I know that someone is interested in something, my mind clicks into “matchmaking mode.” I’ll think of a person with a similar interest, a topic I heard on WVXU, perhaps a book I read, or an organization that is doing work that aligns with their interest. For better or worse, it’s a compulsion, much to the embarrassment of my teenage children when we are running weekend errands and I start talking with people!
Lisa: You also sell jewelry with sales benefiting local causes. Tell us more about it and why that is important to you.
Michele: This February, my daughter and wanted to raise money for Camp Ernst’s scholarship program. Our goal was to raise enough money to send a child to camp for a week.
We love jewelry, and began making it to sell. VERY quickly we realized that while fun, its not our strength, and certainly was not going to get a child to camp any time soon! I discovered a a company in New York that designs a line of high quality, affordable jewelry that is absolutely gorgeous—much like what I wished I could make! We started doing in person “Pop-Ups” selling this jewelry. By early Spring, we raised enough money to send a child a to Camp Ernst for a week! We’ve also supported Children, Inc., All Things Kubuki, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and The Women’s Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation among others. We are currently raising funds for The League of Women Voters.
Our motto is “Be Sparkly and Do Good”. We’ve given away more than $2,000 from our Pop-Ups and online boutique sales since February.
It’s not just about nonprofits—helping individuals accomplish their dreams is important, too! For example, we are supporting the Leurck Family’s dream to make a documentary, “Drew Gets It”, about their son who has a special gift for touching people’s lives. Their dream is to premier this documentary at the Real Abilities Film Festival and they are raising money through Go Fund Me.
In addition, we’ve had the joy of helping two fabulous young women on the road to Miss America. We’ve sponsored and provided jewelry for Miss Northern Kentucky, Abbie Gibson, and also jeweled the newly crowned Miss Ohio, Alice Magato. We can’t wait to see Alice compete for Miss America on September 11th (wearing jewelry from our boutique!) and hopefully see Abbie there, too!
We’re having a great time and its truly good karma all around. Non-profits raise money, people have fun, and I love the that my daughter is learning entrepreneurial skills. My friends and co-workers have been incredibly supportive, which is a gift, too. For me, I get to wear my display samples at work and play. Anyone who knows me will agree that wearing the jewelry is my reward!
Note: you can learn more about Michele’s jewelry sales here. If you’d like to host an pop up event (online or in person) to benefit a non-profit, you can contact Michele at michelecarey@me.com
Lisa: Tell us about someone who has been a role model to you.
Michele: I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Susan Friedlander for many years now, and I consider her a friend and role model. What she has done for our community takes my breath away. Sue is fearless when it comes to garnering support for a community need. A true leader, she is always the first to give (and generously!). Her compassion runs deep and she is intellectually engaged. Watching her, I see someone who gives with her heart and equally her mind, which I admire. I’ve said to her, “Sue, when I grow up I want to be just like you!.” We laugh because I’m pretty grown already up at my age! But, it’s true—I can only aspire to be like her! Also true is that she will will be terribly embarrassed that said these things about her!
Lisa: What are three things that are on your bucket list?
Michele:
- living to see my children grow up to be healthy, happy, and financially secure adults.
- renewing my marriage vows in Hawaii with my husband of 23 years, Matt Carey.
- looking back on my life, and knowing that I was a small part of something exceptionally great for our community.
Lisa: Is there something coming up that you are looking forward to?
Michele: I’m looking forward to helping Cincinnati Public Radio (CPR) do a July fundraiser in partnership with Everything But The House (EBTH). At the end of July we will be collecting items from people in the community (value of $200+) to be auctioned online by EBTH in August. Stay tuned to 91.7 (WVXU) or 90.9 (WGUC) to learn more about how to donate and bid! I am co-chairing this first time fundraiser with Morgan Rigaud and Amanda Matusak, and we hope it will become an annual event!
Also, Sue Friedlander and I are co-chairing a “No-Go” Gala to benefit The Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. (CABVI). As ladies who appreciate fuzzy slippers, we’re excited that it’s a virtual event that takes place online. John Morris Russell has agreed to “Not” be our Emcee for the event. We hope that people will be excited to support CABVI without having to get dressed up for a gala. It’s a beautiful concept that my clever friend, Kathy Gottshlich, suggested for CABVI. You don’t have to go anywhere, and no rubber chickens will be harmed in the serving of the “non” dinner. Priceless!
#GoodThingsCincy
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Honors Philanthropists
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation recently honored dynamic people whose commitment to philanthropy is helping to make our Greater Cincinnati community a better place for all of us.
Ed and Carole Rigaud are this year’s recipients of the Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award, recognizing their leadership and 
generosity of time toward improving the quality of life in our region. The Award was named in honor of Jacob E. Davis, GCF’s first Governing Board Chair and Volunteer Director from 1978 to 1987.
The Rigauds’ names are synonymous with generosity and dedication. They have demonstrated these qualities in their professional, volunteer, and family lives. I have been fortunate to have seen Carole’s heart in action first hand during my eight year tenure working with Lighthouse Youth Services, one of her charitable causes.
During his 36 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ed became the first African-American line vice president, eventually serving as vice president of government relations in North America. In 1998, he became the first president and CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, on loan from P&G. Today, Ed is a co-director of Taft Business Consulting LLC. He is also the president and CEO of Enova Premier, LLC, automotive product supply and services.
Ed’s numerous volunteer roles include being a past member of the National Museum and Library Services Board, appointed by President Bush in 2002. His many volunteer activities include Honorary Chairman of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and serving on the boards of the Williams College of Business at Xavier University, and UC Physicians at the University of Cincinnati Medical College.
Carole has a long list of volunteer commitments and awards. She serves on the Lighthouse Youth Services and 4C for Children gala committees. She volunteers for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Lighthouse Youth Services, Advocates for Youth, The Women’s Alliance, The Healthcare Connection, and Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. Carole has served as the co-chair of the 2013 National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s International Freedom Conductor Awards and on the boards of GCF, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati May Festival, Dress for Success, The Mercantile Library, Interact for Health, Cincinnati Museum Center, Northern Kentucky University Foundation, and The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education.
Carole has been honored as an Enquirer Woman of the Year, a Girl Scouts Great Rivers Council Inc. Women of Distinction, and with the Lighthouse Youth Services 2010 Beacon of Light Humanitarian Award.
The GCF honored Foster & Motley Wealth Management with GCF’s Bridge Builder Award. The Bridge Builder Award is given each year 
to a professional advisor(s) who has been a supporter of the Foundation in multiple ways over many years.
Foster & Motley, Inc. is an independent SEC Registered Investment Advisor established in 1997. Its focus is to help its clients reach their financial goals. Its team of 32 employees provides the highest quality, customized, fee-only financial planning and investment services. They assist clients in managing well over $950 million in assets and provide comprehensive solutions to their complex financial and investing needs.
Santa Maria Community Services Expands Help To Hispanic Families
Santa Maria Community Services, a Cincinnati nonprofit organization serving the west side, has been helping families with various challenges with educational tools and resources to help themselves for 116 years.
photo from Santa Maria Facebook page
Many of those who have benefitted have been of Hispanic heritage, and the need for Santa Maria services has never been greater.
According to the 2010 census, the Hispanic population grew by 4.2 percent in West Price Hill, 12.3 percent in Lower Price Hill and 6.9 percent in East Price Hill. In the 45205 ZIP code, only 24 percent of children under 5 are enrolled in preschool or childcare programs; instead, children of immigrants are more likely to be in the care of family, friends or neighbors.
Santa Maria’s programs help bridge the gap between recent immigrants and important educational and developmental resources. More than 95 percent of the Hispanic families served by the organization’s Promoting Our Preschoolers (POP) enroll their children in preschool and are committed to finding the best schools for their kids.
Now, with a $127,000 grant from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Santa Maria will be able to serve an additional 40 Hispanic children, many of whose families have immigrated from Guatemala and live below the poverty line.
The new bilingual home visitor will work with POP and another agency program, Family Child Care Providers Network (FCC), that connect parents and caregivers to preschool and kindergarten programs, early child development resources and ongoing peer support. The home visitor will work specifically with the increasing Spanish-speaking community in Price Hill, an initiative that represents the first organized effort in Cincinnati to reach the Hispanic child-care population.
In 2012, Santa Maria’s POP program served 196 children ages 3-5 and 218 parents and caregivers, comprising white/Caucasian (including Latino), African-American, multicultural and Asian clients. Hispanic children enrolled in the POP program increased their Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL) scores by 14 percentile points.
The FCC Providers Network has served 50 providers and 150 children in the past year; 45 of those children also have been involved in a kindergarten-readiness project.
Through home visits, Santa Maria staff members also connect parents and caregivers to resources such as English classes, financial literacy classes and health education.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Is Looking For Big Ideas
Gosh, for so many reasons I am proud to call Cincinnati home. Look around and it is not difficult to find people doing good things, giving back and helping one another, beautifying neighborhoods, and strengthening lives. Diverse cultures joined in workplaces, schools, and gatherings. Together, we make this region thrive.
We have literally hundreds of truly valuable nonprofit organizations whose programs offer hope and enrichment and improve community. They are sustainable only because people – neighbors and friends – care. And for 50 years, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation has been matching charitable donations with causes to bring it all together.
I’d say that is an anniversary worth observing! How neat it is that the GCF is celebrating by inspiring more giving and innovation.
The Big Idea Challenge
In a ground breaking effort, GCF is inviting individuals to come forward with their creative
ideas for creating a more vibrant region for The Big Idea Challenge. Through July 29, you can submit your plan online (at this link) that should fall under one of these seven categories:
Vibrant Places
- Strong Communities: Ensure we have the best places to live by getting more people and organizations involved in comprehensive approaches.
- Cultural Vibrancy: Expand everyone’s connection to the arts, and support the roles of arts and cultural organizations in economic activity in our communities.
- Job Creation: Make more jobs available here by attracting and growing businesses and cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship.
- Environmental Stewardship: Protect our natural environment and promote development of a “green economy.”
Thriving People
- Educational Success: Support children’s learning all along the way from cradle to career.
- Health & Wellness: Pursue healthy lifestyles and create access to health, dental and mental health care.
- Economic Opportunity: Help all individuals and families address their basic needs, get meaningful work, and achieve family financial security.
All submissions are being posted on the Big Idea Challenge web site. After July 29, a panel of community reviewers will narrow down the plans before the ideas are put before the public to vote. In addition to cash prizes for the winners, GCF will find a nonprofit organization to test or implement the seven winning ideas and provide grants to make them happen.
Here are just a few of the great ideas submitted so far:
Piano Mobile – Keys on Wheels
In a retro-fitted van, a keyboard lab will be set-up for 8 students to park and play in neighborhoods across the Greater Cincinnati area. The facilitators aboard each van will instruct students in a 10-week introductory course designed with the beginner in mind. The van will move every 10 weeks to a new neighborhood. Materials and keyboards will be provided to students in daily classes. Minimal tuition could be charged or this could be a scholarship-based program or combination of both.
“I Can” Van
This program is designed to tackle self-esteem issues that continue to hinder the ability of children to build the confidence they need to excel in school & welcome new experiences for lifelong success.
The “I Can” van will partner with local schools and arts organizations to provide approachable, fun and educational programming to be delivered at area parks, community centers and clubs.
What are you waiting for? The time to share your Big Idea is now!
Thanks Greater Cincinnati Foundation for all you do!
ArtsWave Cincinnati Holding Amazing Arts Race
ArtsWave announces the Amazing Arts Race, a creative scavenger hunt for young professionals in downtown Cincinnati, will be held Saturday, April 13. Registration is now open at www.amazingartsrace.com. The Amazing Arts Race is generously sponsored by the Taft Museum of Art with support of The Thomas J. Emery Memorial and The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. This event supports ArtsWave’s annual community campaign for the arts which runs through April 30.
In an event inspired by the hit reality TV series The Amazing Race, teams will race to complete a series of arts challenges in Downtown Cincinnati including finding works of art and architecture, answering arts trivia, and making art themselves. Teams and organizers will use Twitter to obtain clues and complete some tasks. From origami to charades to dance breaks, these fun challenges will stretch team members’ creativity. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place teams in addition to random prize drawings.
“Last year, GE Aviation organized an arts scavenger hunt for young professionals at their company,” says Jared Queen, Campaign Manager at ArtsWave and Amazing Arts Race coordinator. “Our ArtsWave Young Professionals group loved the idea and decided this year to scale it up to an event for teams from all across the region.” Teams will move around downtown by foot and/or by car to different arts organizations and works of public art. Running gear is not required, as creativity will be as important as speed.
ArtsWave partner companies are encouraged to form teams of 2 to 4 people, but the event is open to all young professionals. Individuals interested in being paired with a team can contact Jared directly at jared.queen@theartswave.org.
Registration is $10 per person and can be completed online at www.amazingartsrace.com. Deadline to register is April 7. Teams will be notified by email and twitter of the race starting point the week of April 8.
