Queen City Book Bank was created in 2021 through the merger of the Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati and the Blue Manatee Literacy Project. The Queen City Book Bank tackles the major deficit of traditional book drives and donations where the quality and subject matter of donated books are determined by the book donors rather than by the needs and interests of the recipients. With volunteer technology experts, QCBB has created a digital resource portal that will enable teachers, parents and nonprofit staff to select books that are of interest to their children and are at an appropriate reading level. When fully operational, the digital resource portal will receive, sort and distribute 350,000 books to 35,000 Cincinnati area children annually. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support New Book Curation.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati (BBBS) provides professionally supported mentoring services that have impacted the lives of tens of thousands of children in this region for more than 100 years. Program delivery and evaluation are based on The Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets® – the gold standard for contributing to the positive development of children and youth. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Community-Based Mentoring.
UpSpring, formerly Faces Without Places and the Project Connect Homeless Children’s Fund, has served over 45,000 children since 1998. The organization provides unique services, meeting the basic educational needs of school age children, who are homeless, through summer field trips, tutoring, and school supplies. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the UpSpring Resource Collaborative.
Crayons to Computers (C2C) aims to bridge the gap for schools and families who do not have the financial ability to provide school supplies to students. C2C has successfully operated its Teacher Resource Center since 1997. To date, C2C has successfully distributed over $187 million worth of school supplies to needy students in the Greater Cincinnati area. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the Crayons for Kids Fund.
The Taft Museum of Art (TMA) is considered one of the finest small art collections in the United States. For the past 90 years, visitors have entered the historic home of Anna and Charles Taft to view a world-class collection of paintings by western artists such as Rembrandt, Whistler, Turner and Reynolds, as well as exquisite Chinese porcelains and other decorative arts. Through the years, TMA has been recognized for its collection, exhibitions and educational programs. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support their Outreach Education Program, Art for All.
Annually, the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission (NKCAC) serves over 30,000 individuals and families through their network of neighborhood centers in the eight counties of Northern Kentucky. They are an umbrella organization supporting a range of programs that includes child development (Head Start), community services (rental, housing, food, and utilities assistance), tax preparation assistance, training, and employment services. Their mission is to help families and individuals move beyond simply surviving to developing the knowledge and resources they need to achieve self-reliance. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will be used to address the Impacts of COVID-19 On the Social and Emotional Development of Young Children.
Tikkun Farm was founded in 2015 by Mary Laymon and Greg York, on a former dairy farm, with the vision of repairing their small corner of the world (Mt. Healthy, Hamilton County). Tikkun Farm’s growth strategy is informed by the evolving and growing needs of its Mt. Healthy community. Over the past seven years, the number of children, youth and adults served, and the range of programs implemented, have grown significantly. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Vocational Training for Young Adults Facing Economic Barriers to Success.
Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio (PPSWO) has been operating as a high-quality affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America in southwest Ohio for over 90 years. The organization consistently meets rigorous accreditation standards as an affiliate and is regularly attentive to ensuring compliance with its own robust Medical Standards and Guidelines. PPSWO is a critical resource for underserved, vulnerable, and marginalized populations, including those who are low income, uninsured or underinsured, people of color, and those of the LGBTQ+ communities. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Relationship and Sexual Health Education for Individuals with I/DD.
Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO) is a statewide affiliate of Prevent Blindness America (PBA) and has been a national leader in public health vision screening since 1926. PBO is guided by a strategic plan (2020-2025) which promotes eye health and eye safety as essential elements of healthy living through consumer advocacy, public and professional education, and resource development. They focus on education, eye health and safety, early vision-loss prevention and screening for our community’s most at-risk members – preschool children, older adults and minority and low-income populations. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Vision Care Outreach for Southwest Ohio.
Bethany House Services (BHS) is the largest family homelessness service provider in Greater Cincinnati, serving 75% of the families with children in the city who receive services. Through mergers, they grew into a multi-site service provider until they consolidated all seven sites into one, where they house over 250 families and serve an additional 500+ families annually. Over the years, the average length of stay has increased from 30 nights to more than 50. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Family Services: Stabilizing & Enriching Interventions for Children Experiencing Homelessness.
Strategies to End Homelessness (STEH) was established in 2007 and serves as the intermediary organization that ensures that there is a coordinated system of care for the homeless in Cincinnati and Hamilton County. STEH provides oversight of the integrated network of homeless services providers and service organizations. They provide a centralized emergency shelter hotline (CAP), homelessness prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter and housing services, all working together to eliminate individual and family homelessness in our community. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support The Central Access Point (CAP) Helpline for the Homeless.
For almost 60 years, Inter Parish Ministries (IPM) has provided the only full-access food pantry four days a week to low-income populations in Eastern Hamilton, Western Brown and Clermont counties. What started as one traditional food pantry has grown into two drive-through pantry sites in Newtown and Amelia and a Mobile Pantry program, which consists of 36 distribution sites, delivering food three days each week . A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Expanding Access and Feeding Families: Reducing Barriers for the Mobility Impaired.
For over 115 years, Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Clovernook) has been providing unique and inclusive programming and employment opportunities in Greater Cincinnati and Memphis, Tennessee for those with visual impairments. Annually, approximately 1,000 individuals and their families benefit from the organization’s referral services, employment services, training, and youth programs. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support their Pediatric Vision Clinic.
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (GSWO) was formed in January 2008 as four Girl Scout Councils (Cincinnati, Dayton, Lima, and Toledo) merged as part of a nationwide consolidation, prompted by flat enrollment over a 10-year period. By consolidating councils, especially some of the smaller ones, the Girl Scouts could reduce the overall administrative costs and create more efficiency in central staffing. The GSWO service area grew significantly from nine counties to 32 counties, the number of girls served from 22,000 to more than 33,000. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Girl Scouts for Every Girl.
ETC has been firmly rooted as an anchor institution in historic Over-the-Rhine since 1986, and in the fall of 2017, they reaffirmed that connection with a transformational expansion and renovation of its building site. ETC is deeply committed to the OTR neighborhood and feels its investment in educational outreach programming that serves the area’s children is a powerful way to show its continuing dedication to the renewal of this historic neighborhood. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Inclusive Programs & Hunter Heartbeat Expansion.
Wildwood Programs, Inc. (WPI) is a large, well-established organization that serves over 4,000 individuals in 14 counties of the Capital Region of New York State. WPI operates programming at eighteen community residences, and with the merger with Alternative Living Group, has greatly expanded their footprint. A gift from Pfau Foundation will support their Practical Guide to Supporting People with Disabilities.
For over 30 years, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) has consistently worked to provide close to 200,000 of the city’s most vulnerable youth with the tools to overcome barriers to educational success. CYC’s programs have long been regarded as the standard in mentoring, dropout prevention, and college and career preparation. A gift from Pfau Foundation will support Mentoring Excellence.
FamiliesFORWARD (FF) is a school-based, family-focused resource center serving students and their families at Bond Hill Academy, Carson and Hays-Porter Elementary Schools and Withrow University High School, all in Hamilton County. FF runs four of Cincinnati Public Schools’ 34 Community Learning Centers. A gift from Pfau Foundation will support the Carson School After-School and Summer Enrichment Program.
The mission of the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati is to resolve serious legal problems of low-income people, to promote economic and family stability, and to reduce poverty through effective legal assistance. A gift from Pfau Foundation will support Education Advocacy: Supporting School Success.
The Social Enterprise and Training Center (SEAT) serves underrepresented young people, many of whom have experienced severe trauma, connecting them to meaningful employment while addressing institutional barriers that can contribute to challenges in maintaining employment, including the critical need for accessible mental health services. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Work Wellness: Advancing Access and Equity.
Established 86 years ago, Camp Joy has adapted dramatically over time yet remains true to its mission of “serving the underserved” by providing life-changing experiences to all ages and income levels to support continued growth and development. Camp Joy accomplishes this mission with children and adults through overnight camps, outdoor education, and organizational leadership development programming. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Underserved Youth in Agency Camps and the Outdoor School Program.
Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky (ESNKY) opened in 2008 as a volunteer-only partnership with Kenton County that operated during the coldest months of the year. Its programming has grown to match community needs over time. A healthcare clinic to support urgent care services was added in 2019, and most recently, in 2022, ESNKY moved to a new 68-bed, 10,000 sq. ft facility, transitioning to 24/7 and year-round operations providing shelter every day of the year. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Holistic Solutions to Young Adult Homelessness in Northern Kentucky.
1N5 focuses on stigma reduction, community engagement and outreach, education and programming, measurement and data, and policy and advocacy. 1N5 has raised over $2 million for mental health and suicide prevention programs to serve over 100 local schools (K-12), 72 community partners, and six universities. 1N5’s staff is comprised of educators and mental health advocates who work with local schools and many community partners. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Building Resiliency in Youth.
City Gospel Mission (CGM) has served the Greater Cincinnati community for almost a century. The organization has built a diversified donor base of 22,000, a committed team of 2,500 volunteers, and productive partnerships with over 350 local businesses and churches. Annually, CGM’s youth programs serve and support 2,500 at-risk youth. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Whiz Kids Tutoring & Mentoring.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is a dynamic ensemble of world-class musicians, conductors and guest artists. Founded in 1895, the CSO proudly serves the Greater Cincinnati community as the fifth oldest orchestra in the United States and the first orchestra in the state of Ohio. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support its seasons spanning from 2024 to 2029.
For 47 years, People Working Cooperatively (PWC) has provided home repair and weatherization services to the Greater Cincinnati community. The organization has 113 full-time staff, including four Certified Aging in Place Specialists and over 85 licensed tradespeople. PWC utilizes the services of 3,500 volunteers annually across 21 counties in the tri-state area. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support PWC Home Repairs and Modifications for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Disabilities.
For 150 years, St. Joseph Home (SJH) has served the fragile and vulnerable. The organization currently serves approximately 140 unique individuals throughout its programs with top-rate medical and personal care alongside a philosophy of respect for the dignity and possibility of each individual. Although each person’s medical and physical needs are unique, the medical fragilities most frequently served within SJH are scoliosis, cerebral palsy, transverse myelitis, chromosomal disorder, hydrocephalus, seizure disorder, gastric tube, hearing loss, loss of vision, and other complications due to trauma. Care is provided 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the initiative: Increase Access to Ventilator Care Outside of a Hospital for Children.
Welcome House of Northern Kentucky (WHNK) provides housing, wrap-around support services, and representative payee services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Northern Kentucky (Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties). WHNK primarily serves women and children but also works with two-parent households and individuals with disabilities with alternative housing arrangements and a variety of support services. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the Welcome House Shelter for Homeless Women, Children, and Families.
4C for Children was founded in 1972 in Cincinnati, Ohio, by a coalition of agencies and funders to coordinate, plan, and advocate for quality child care for working families. Early work included planning studies, training, and technical assistance. Today, 4C for Children is the hub of information on early care and education programs for parents and the most prominent local provider of training and technical assistance for early childhood providers and teachers. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the Child Care Teacher Advancement Project.
Founded in 1911, the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) provides counseling, vision rehabilitation, information, and employment services to people who are blind or visually impaired. (CABVI) serves people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired with services to help each person adapt to vision loss and feel empowered to seek independence. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support CABVI's Music Therapy Program.
As Found Village puts it, their "superpower" is that they have gained the trust of youth and their families who have experienced trauma and do not trust institutional systems and for whom the traditional service model has not worked. The critical elements to Found Village's success are a personalized coaching model, a home-like environment created through its enrichment programs, and a long-term commitment to the success of each young person. These elements have enabled the organization to connect with even the hardest-to-reach youth. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Path2Independence: Trauma-Informed Coaching and Enrichment for Youth Involved with Systems.
Genesis at Work Foundation (GWF) operates on the premise that a diverse workforce benefits employers and that workers with special needs can be productive and reliable employees, given the chance. They work to train both employees and employers to identify matches and set partnerships up for success by addressing significant gaps in employment seeking by young adults with disabilities. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the Genesis Pathway Support (GPS) Program.
For more than 95 years, the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati (HSDC) has provided education, advocacy, audiology, sign language interpreting, and hearing and speech pathology to adults and children with disabilities, regardless of their ability to pay for services. Today, their top-notch clinicians and professional staff deliver audiology and deaf services and speech-language and occupational therapy at offices in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton counties and surrounding communities. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Connections for Life.
iSpace delivers high-quality STEM educational opportunities to children, educators, and parents in Greater Cincinnati (Hamilton and Butler counties). They serve over 30,000 students and teachers in the region through many programs, such as summer day camps, field trips, school-based programming, and public programming that complement school curricula. All programs strongly emphasize inquiry and critical thinking, aligning with National and State Standards that support academic outcomes in the public school system. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Making Mathletes.
Since 1993, First Step Home (FSH) has helped low-income women break the cycle of addiction and abuse so they can become self-sufficient and provide a safe, nurturing environment for their children and families. While FSH was opened at the height of the crack cocaine crisis, the majority of women served today are addicted to opioids. Typically, FSH serves 350 women and 90 children annually. Over 95% of FSH clients live below the poverty level, 100% are single heads of household, and almost all receive Medicaid assistance. FSH is the only state-certified agency in the region that allows women struggling with addiction to live together with their children while they recover. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support the Child Resiliency Program.
Heartfelt Tidbits, with the support of over 100 volunteers in partnership with over 86 community organizations, enhances refugee and recent immigrant integration and independence through a wide variety of innovative programs, including Educational programs (ESL/Citizenship), enrichment for children, tutoring, introductions to neighborhood resources, art and sewing programs, community gardening and teen empowerment. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support their Study Buddies program.
Per Scholas provides diverse, qualified individuals with rigorous technical skills and professional development training, unlocking their potential and opening the doors of opportunity to a thriving career in tech. Learners receive the highest-quality technical education instructed by industry experts and develop the skills and knowledge needed to launch their careers in IT. Their focus is advancing economic mobility and security for communities traditionally underrepresented in the IT field: women, communities of color, veterans, those without college degrees, and those reporting low-moderate income. A gift from the Pfau Foundation will support Per Scholas Cincinnati IT Skills Training.
