Leveraged Support Application

City of Cincinnati Leveraged Support Application

Welcome to the City of Cincinnati's Leverage Support Application Portal!

The City of Cincinnati is committed to supporting organizations that offer vital services and programs benefiting the residents of our vibrant community. Through the Leveraged Support funding initiative, we aim to empower organizations with the financial backing necessary to enhance their contributions to the city's well-being and development.

Application Window:

opens: Monday, February 17, 2025, at 9:00 AM

closes: Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM

We encourage all eligible organizations to prepare and submit their applications within this timeframe to ensure consideration for funding.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must have a three-year track record of audited financial statements or filed federal tax returns.
Funding requests should be between $50,000 and $500,000. Requests exceeding $500,000 will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.
Only projects or programs that align with one of the following service categories will be considered: Please carefully review the important update below regarding eligible funding categories.
- Arts - This category supports initiatives that promote, enhance, and provide access to the arts and cultural activities. Projects can range from visual and performing arts to literary arts and community cultural events, aiming to enrich the community's cultural landscape and foster a deeper appreciation for the arts.
- Economic Development and Neighborhood Support - This category focuses on initiatives that stimulate local economies, improve neighborhood vitality, and support small businesses. Projects or programs aim to create job opportunities, enhance economic resilience, and foster an environment where businesses and communities can thrive.(non-Human Services related)
- Equity and Inclusion - Supports projects aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within communities and organizations. These initiatives work to dismantle barriers to opportunity and participation, particularly for marginalized and underrepresented groups.
- Environment Supports projects that protect and enhance the natural environment, promote sustainability, and address climate change. Initiatives in this category can range from conservation efforts to environmental education and sustainable urban planning

IMPORTANT UPDATE: ELIGIBLE FUNDING CATEGORIES HAVE CHANGED

Three (3) Human Services-related categories have been removed from the Leveraged Support program:

Homelessness and Eviction Prevention
Human Services and Violence Prevention
Workforce Programming and Poverty Reduction

These categories are now part of the City of Cincinnati Human Services Fund, administered by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Organizations interested in funding for Comprehensive Workforce Development, Youth Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction, and Supporting, Securing, and Stabilizing Housing for High-Risk Populations should apply through the United Way.

The application for Human Services Fund opened on February 3, 2025 and closes March 24, 2025. Below is the link to the United Way's RFP announcement, which includes details on eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures:

View Human Services Fund RFP Details & Apply

Important Note: Organizations may apply for either Leveraged Support Funding or Human Services Funding—not both. For additional information regarding Human Services Fund, contact: humanservicesfund@uwgc.org

Exclusions:

Capital projects are not eligible for funding under this initiative. Our focus is to support operational and programmatic expenses that directly impact Cincinnati residents by addressing a public need or service gap.
Organizations currently debarred from contracting or subcontracting with the City are not eligible to apply.
Start-up organizations with less than three years of operation are not eligible to apply. Start-ups are encouraged to explore funding under the City’s Boots on the Ground program. https://www.gcfdn.org/rfp/
City funding of third parties for the management of city-owned assets or programs is not permitted.

Public Record Notice:

In accordance with the Ohio Public Records Act, all submitted Leveraged Support applications are subject to public records requests. While private or sensitive information will not be made public, your application could be shared if requested

We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how your organization plans to make a positive impact on the City of Cincinnati and its residents.

For further details, please contact Tonia Smith, Office of the City Manager, at tonia.smith@cincinnati-oh.gov or 513-352-5361.

Organization Information

Organization Name * (max: 500 characters)
Please provide the full legal name of your organization.

Organization Description * (max: 1000 characters)
Offer a brief overview of your organization, including its mission, primary activities, population served, and any significant achievements.

Organization Mailing Address * (max: 500 characters)
Enter the complete mailing address of your organization, including street name, city, state, and zip code. If applicable, include suite or apartment numbers.

Primary Contact Name * (max: 500 characters)
Provide the name of the individual within your organization who can be contacted for any queries related to this application.

Primary Contact E-mail Address * (format: example@email.com)
Enter the email address for the contact person. This will be used for all communication related to this application.

Primary Contact Phone Number * (format: 555-555-5555)

Secondary Contact Name (max: 500 characters)
Provide the name of the individual within your organization who can be contacted for any queries related to this application.

Secondary Contact E-mail Address (format: example@email.com)
Enter the email address for the contact person. This will be used for all communication related to this application.

Secondary Contact Phone Number (format: 555-555-5555)

Organization Tax Identification Number (TIN) * (max: 500 characters)
Provide your organization's Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) as assigned by the IRS.

Is the Organization a classified IRS 501(c)3 non-profit? *
Indicate whether your organization is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Yes No

How long has your organization been in operation? *
Only organizations with a track record of at least three years in operation are eligible for Leveraged Support funding.

Is this funding request related to a specific program initiative? *
Select "yes" if the funding you are applying for is intended for a particular program or initiative within your organization. Otherwise, select "no".

Yes No

Does the work for which funding is being requested directly benefit any of the following populations: (check those that apply) *
Only select populations that your organization/program/initiative is designed to serve or benefit directly. Otherwise, select 'N/A'.

Youth

Seniors / Aging Population

Persons with disabilities (A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.)

LGBTQIA+ individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic/agender)

N/A

Please upload three (3) most recent years of Audited Financial Statements -or- three (3) most recent years of filed Tax Returns. * (max: 10MB)
Upload Document one of three (1/3)

Upload Document two of three (2/3)

Upload Document three of three (3/3)

Leveraged Support Category

Please select the category that is the best fit/most relevant for your application. *

Arts - This category supports initiatives that promote, enhance, and provide access to the arts and cultural activities. Projects can range from visual and performing arts to literary arts and community cultural events, aiming to enrich the community's cultural landscape and foster a deeper appreciation for the arts.

Economic Development and Neighborhood Support - Focuses on initiatives that stimulate local economies, improve neighborhood vitality, and support small businesses. Projects in this category aim to create job opportunities, enhance economic resilience, and foster an environment where businesses and communities can thrive. (non-Human Services related)

Environment - Supports projects that protect and enhance the natural environment, promote sustainability, and address climate change. Initiatives in this category can range from conservation efforts to environmental education and sustainable urban planning.

Equity and Inclusion - Supports projects aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within communities and organizations. These initiatives work to dismantle barriers to opportunity and participation, particularly for marginalized and underrepresented groups.

Leveraged Support Funding Request

Did this organization receive Leveraged Support Funding from the City in FY25? *
Select 'Yes' if your organization was awarded Leveraged Support Funding by the City of Cincinnati in Fiscal Year 25. Otherwise, select 'No’.

Yes No

Leveraged support funding awarded from the City in the last City Fiscal Year (FY 2025) * (format: 1000.00)
If you received funding in FY25, specify the dollar amount awarded.

Requested leveraged support funding amount for upcoming City Fiscal Year (FY 2026) * (format: 1000.00)
Indicate the specific dollar amount of Leveraged Support funding you are requesting for Fiscal Year 2026.

What sources of funding from other City programs (e.g., Human Services funding, Boots on the Ground, Safe and Clean) have you applied for and/or been awarded in the past two years? Answer the below for each funding source applied for and/or awarded. * (max: 4000 characters)

City program name
Funds awarded? (yes/no)
Date applied or date funding awarded (month/year)
Amount awarded

Financial Information

Total Project Expense * (format: 1000.00)
Indicate the total amount of money required to cover all expenses involved in completing the work for which you are requesting funding.

Total Expenses (Entity Level) * (format: 1000.00)
Provide this information from your most recent audited financial statement or most recent filed tax return.

Total Revenue (Entity Level) * (format: 1000.00)
Indicate the overall income the organization receives from all sources, as indicated on your most recent audited financial statement or most recent filed tax return.

Net Assets (Entity Level) * (format: 1000.00)
Provide this information from your most recent audited financial statement or most recent filed tax return.

Upload an Organizational Budget using the template provided. * (max: 10MB) Download Template
Using the template provided, complete a budget that details expected revenues and expenditures for the entire organization.

What is the total amount of payments (e.g. City contracts for services, Boots on the Ground Fund, Human Services Fund, Safe and Clean) your organization received from the City (excluding leveraged support) in the last City Fiscal Year (FY 2025)? * (format: 1000.00)

Performance Metrics

Each organization/program must choose three output metrics to measure program performance.

Provide the first of three (1 of 3) performance metrics your organization or program will use to measure, monitor, and assess the effectiveness and impact of the initiative for which it is seeking funding. Also, describe why that metric was selected. * (max: 4000 characters)

Provide the second of three (2 of 3) performance metrics your organization or program will use to measure, monitor, and assess the effectiveness and impact of the initiative for which it is seeking funding. Also, describe why that metric was selected. * (max: 4000 characters)

Provide the third of three (3 of 3) performance metrics your organization or program will use to measure, monitor, and assess the effectiveness and impact of the initiative for which it is seeking funding. Also, describe why that metric was selected. * (max: 4000 characters)

Please upload a document which summarizes the program's or organization's performance over the past three (3) years, based on the three metrics selected above. (max: 10MB)

Please upload a document which summarizes the program's or organization’s performance goals using the three selected performance metrics for the requested leveraged support funding in the next City Fiscal Year (FY 2026) * (max: 10MB)

Please share any additional information regarding the program or organization, prior performance, and/or upcoming goals. (max: 4000 characters)

Additional Documents

Please upload any additional documents that you would like to share. (max: 10MB)

* Each of these fields is required. An incomplete submission will not be considered.

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