Erma A. Bantz Foundation Grant

The Erma A. Bantz Foundation is a private philanthropic fund established to honor the legacy and personal experiences of Erma A. Bantz, a lifelong resident of Cincinnati who lived with severe hearing and visual impairments. Throughout her life, she faced significant challenges due to these conditions, and despite medical interventions later in life, she continued to experience diminished hearing and sight until her death in 2006. The foundation was created to carry forward her commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals experiencing similar impairments. The foundation partners with the Greater Cincinnati Foundation to administer its grantmaking activities and ensure alignment with its mission. Historically, the foundation allocated its funding between hearing and visual impairment initiatives. However, as of 2022, all funds designated for hearing-related causes have been fully distributed, totaling more than 580000 dollars across fifteen nonprofit organizations. As a result, the foundation now exclusively supports organizations that serve individuals with visual impairments. This shift reflects both the completion of the original allocation strategy and a continued commitment to addressing visual disability needs within the community. The primary purpose of the foundation is to support nonprofit organizations whose mission statements explicitly include aiding or supporting individuals with visual impairments. Funding is generally directed toward specific projects rather than ongoing operational expenses. The foundation expresses a preference for collaborative funding efforts, often participating alongside other donors to support defined initiatives. This indicates a strategic approach that emphasizes targeted impact and shared investment in programmatic outcomes. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that have received IRS recognition as 501c3 entities. Applicants must typically be located within specific counties in Ohio, including Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren. The foundation does not award grants to individuals, political entities, or governmental subdivisions. Additionally, organizations that have previously received funding must wait at least one year from their last grant payment before reapplying, while those whose applications were declined may resubmit after a six-month waiting period. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry through an online grant system. Only organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. The foundation operates on a recurring schedule with two annual cycles. The first cycle includes a Letter of Inquiry deadline of May 1, followed by a proposal deadline of June 1, with funding decisions announced by July 31. The second cycle follows a similar structure with deadlines on October 1 and November 1, and decisions issued by December 31. If deadlines fall on weekends or holidays, they are extended to the next business day. Following the award of a grant, recipients are required to complete a follow-up evaluation report at the end of the grant period. This report is submitted through the same online system used for applications, and applicants receive reminders prior to the due date. The foundation maintains oversight through this reporting requirement to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of funded projects. Contact information for the foundation is available through the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides administrative support and serves as a point of communication for applicants.

Focus on project specific proposals and demonstrate collaboration with other funders