Boots on the Ground Fund

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Cincinnati and additional philanthropic partners, is offering the 2026 cycle of the "Boots on the Ground" Fund. This initiative seeks to empower grassroots, community-rooted nonprofits that are deeply engaged in addressing the region's most pressing social challenges. With a total grant pool exceeding $750,000, individual awards of up to $25,000 are available. The program continues a longstanding commitment by GCF to uplift small organizations that elevate the voices of those most directly impacted by systemic barriers and economic inequities in the City of Cincinnati. The Boots on the Ground Fund focuses on building organizational capacity and community impact in critical areas such as homelessness prevention, affordable housing access, healthy food availability, public and mental health, workforce and youth development, and youth gun violence reduction. Importantly, the grant program is responsive and flexible, designed to adapt to evolving community needs. Funding may be applied to expand or sustain existing initiatives, seed new efforts, or enhance overall organizational capacity. Collaborative efforts between organizations are strongly encouraged, but not required. Funding is restricted and may not be used for capital campaigns, fundraising events, or political activities. To qualify for this funding opportunity, applicants must operate within the City of Cincinnati and have a documented annual operating budget of under $1 million. Eligible applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS (typically under 501(c)(3) status), though those lacking independent tax-exempt status may apply through a fiscal sponsor. The program favors proposals from organizations that foster inclusive environments, center community voice, and show strong alignment with regional initiatives. Applicants must also demonstrate SMART goals, leverage existing partnerships, and reflect on prior experiences to inform their approach. All applicants are required to submit their proposals online through GCF’s grantmaking portal, Foundant, by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 13, 2026. Required documentation includes a project budget, a board list, and either the most recent Form 990 or an income statement and balance sheet. Submissions missing these required uploads will not be considered. Asha Jones, Community Strategies Associate, is available to provide technical support throughout the submission process. In preparation for submission, several optional workshops are offered to assist organizations with proposal development. These include a Request for Proposal (RFP) workshop (held virtually on February 10), and in-person nonprofit management sessions focusing on governance, fundraising, and program evaluation occurring throughout February and early March. While these are not mandatory, they are designed to enhance applicant readiness and understanding of the funding priorities. Applicants can expect notification of award decisions in May 2026, with funds distributed shortly thereafter. Notably, organizations funded through the 2025 Boots on the Ground cycle are ineligible for this round. The program appears to recur annually, with future cycles likely continuing GCF’s emphasis on direct community impact, capacity building, and equity-driven funding practices.

Emphasize SMART goals, strong community partnerships, and community voice; align with broader community efforts and reflect on past learnings.