|
As we reflect on the growth and achievements of Millstone Fund, we continue to be inspired by the incredible impact that our partnerships have had in Greater Cincinnati. It’s with great pride that we share the updates and look ahead to what the future holds.
Launch of the Millstone Fund Innovation Awards. Earlier in 2024, we launched our Innovation Awards, a strategic initiative designed to support creative and transformative ideas within strong, established organizations in our community. These invitation-only applications resulted in three exciting projects that advance ideas for new approaches and better coordination in our systems of care. Through this mechanism, we are investing $2.1 million over the next three years to support innovative projects at Beech Acres Parenting Center, Best Point, and Strategies to End Homelessness. These investments represent our commitment to exploring and evaluating innovative solutions to complex challenges and highlight the value we place on novel and collaborative strategies that have the potential to create lasting change.
Strengthening Partnerships. In line with our priorities, we also launched a competitive grant mechanism to provide two years of support to a small number of organizations that are aligned closely with the Millstone mission and priorities. These organizations have demonstrated their impact within our community. This multi-year investment approach allows us to deepen our engagement with partners who are doing exceptional work for our communities. We believe that by providing sustained support, we can help these organizations expand their reach, innovate, and make an even greater difference in the lives of those they serve.
Commitment to Youth Mental Health. We continue to invest our time and resources in addressing youth mental health through several investments of time and funding. One investment was in a community collaborative, HEY! Cincinnati, which aims to elevate youth voice and to provide a forum and structure to support collaboration and advancement in the mental and behavioral health space. Millstone invested leadership time and $100,000 to the early planning efforts, and in 2024, the foundation has contributed over $200,000 to the start-up of this initiative. This work is complemented by a three-year award to Beech Acres Parenting Center to advance youth mental health with a strong focus at the school-level integrating a two-generation approach. By working alongside our partners, we hope to contribute meaningfully to solutions that support our youth and their futures.
Looking Ahead to 2025. As we move forward, Millstone Fund remains steadfast in its mission to support initiatives that drive meaningful change and foster innovation in our community. We are committed to remaining accessible, responsive, and engaged, ensuring that our investments continue to support projects and organizations that align with our goals. This work would not be possible without the dedication and passion of our partners, community leaders, and supporters. Together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive community.
Sincerely,
The Millstone Fund Board of Directors
| 
