CINCINNATI – Scripps Howard Foundation, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation and WCPO 9 On Your Side selected the top two finalists — out of a field of 10 nonprofit applicants — for $150,000 in grants to support emergent childhood literacy initiatives in impoverished neighborhoods in the Tristate.
The two finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are:
• Brighton Center: Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-school Youngsters
Following the national Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-school Youngsters (HIPPY) home visitation program, Brighton Center works with at-risk families to ensure that their children are given the language and literacy skills needed to make their early school experiences successful. Based in Northern Kentucky, Brighton Center empowers parents to become advocates in their children’s education and engages them in activities with their children to foster a lifelong commitment to education.
• Cincinnati Early Learning Centers: Learning Together program
Learning Together is the Cincinnati Early Learning Centers’ mobile classroom that travels to impoverished areas in Hamilton County. It brings together children and their parents or other caregivers to learn about early childhood development. Reading and the love of books is the program’s centerpiece. The nonprofit also assists families in accessing resources for health, housing and employment. The program can be adapted based on a family’s needs and neighborhood.
The top winning organization, and recipient of a $100,000 grant, will be announced during the Scripps Howard Awards, the prestigious annual journalism recognition program presented by Scripps Howard Foundation. The show will take place at Memorial Hall on April 19. The finalist will receive a $50,000 grant to support its literacy programs.
The grants will fund programs that teach parents to foster their children’s language skills from birth through preschool. In their first three years, children begin learning concepts that will aid them in learning to read. During this time, it’s important for children to begin developing vocabulary. Parents can foster emergent literacy by reading books to their children, talking to children, teaching them songs and engaging in other activities to prepare them to read and write.
Interested nonprofits submitted letters of intent in January. The funders reviewed those forms and narrowed the field to 10. In March, five semifinalists were announced. After conducting site visits, the funders selected the two finalists.
WCPO 9 On Your Side will live stream the Scripps Howard Awards show on its website April 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern time.
About The Scripps Howard Foundation
Dedicated to excellence in journalism, the Scripps Howard Foundation educates, empowers and honors extraordinary journalists who illuminate community issues, and partners with impactful organizations to drive change and improve lives. As the philanthropic arm of The E.W. Scripps Company, the Foundation is a leader in industry efforts in journalism education, scholarships, internships, minority recruitment and development, literacy and First Amendment causes. With a special commitment to the regions where Scripps does business, the Foundation helps build thriving communities.
About The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
One of the nation’s leading community foundations, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation helps people make the most of their giving to build a better community. We believe in the power of philanthropy to change the lives of people and communities. As a community foundation, GCF creates a prosperous Greater Cincinnati by investing in thriving people and vibrant places. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1963, the Foundation inspires philanthropy in eight counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. At the end of 2016, GCF had net assets of $563 million.
About Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture. Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.
Media Contact:
Kari Wethington, The E.W. Scripps Company, 513-977-3763, [email protected]