Greater Cincinnati Foundation

As the region’s leading community foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation connects people with purpose in an eight-county region in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. GCF is leading the charge toward a more vibrant Greater Cincinnati for everyone – now, and for generations to come. The Greater Cincinnati Foundation believes the greatest change happens when people come together—in partnership, collaboration and generosity. Our role is to align the right players and then coordinate their efforts and contributions to make the biggest impact. We bring together: - Donors - Bound by a common desire to advance organizations transforming our region and the world. - Nonprofits - Changing outcomes throughout our community. - Changemakers - Working to solve our region’s greatest needs. OUR MISSION As a trusted and connected partner, we inspire generous people to invest in a more equitable and vibrant region, now and for generations to come. OUR HISTORY The Fresh Air Convalescent Aid Society In 1963, a group of Greater Cincinnati area business people was intrigued by the success enjoyed by community foundations in other cities, and they wanted to see a community foundation established in Cincinnati. At the same time, the board of the Fresh Air and Convalescent Aid Society, which was founded in 1884 as an organization that brought women and children from crowded tenement areas during the summer for two weeks of planned recreation in the country, realized that its mission had become outdated. The Fresh Air and Convalescent Aid Society decided to disband and needed an alternative charitable use for its $600,000 endowment. The business leaders and the Fresh Air Board came together and The Greater Cincinnati Foundation was born. The Fresh Air and Convalescent Aid Society’s endowment became GCF’s first unrestricted fund.