Hello Katie,

At the Hamilton Community Foundation, we remain deeply committed to building a stronger, more connected community through innovative philanthropy and a clear vision for the future. A heartfelt thank you to the many nonprofit organizations who took the time to complete our Nonprofit Needs Assessment—your input is invaluable in helping us advance our vision.

Key Takeaways from the Nonprofit Needs Assessment

• Decades of Service: most nonprofits in Hamilton have been serving our community for decades. Thank you for your dedication!
• Annual Budgets: most nonprofit budgets are between $250,000 and $2,500,000.
• Primary Services: education tops the list, followed by youth services, mental health, character education, social services, health services, disability, and housing services.
• Top Funding Needs: programs and projects, followed by general operations, marketing/outreach, staffing, and capital improvements.
• Top Funding Sources: individual donors, followed by the Hamilton Community Foundation, fundraising events, private/corporate foundations, and state/federal support.
• Biggest Challenges: loss of federal and foundation funding and difficulty in securing consistent grants and donors.
• Connectivitiy is Key: nearly all participating nonprofits expressed a strong interest in quarterly connections with like-minded organizations.

Haven’t completed the assessment yet? There’s still time! By participating, your organization will be included in our Nonprofit Directory, launching soon with our brand-new website. The assessment takes just 15 minutes to complete, and your insight will help shape a stronger future for all of Hamilton.

Grantmaking

This spring, the Hamilton Community Foundation proudly awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to exceptional nonprofit organizations delivering critical services and support across our community.

In addition, the newly established Ross Community Foundation distributed more than $35,000 to nonprofits dedicated to enhancing resources and quality of life in Ross and Morgan Townships and the surrounding areas.

Thank you to our generous donors and the inspiring nonprofits who continue to make a meaningful difference every day. Your work uplifts our entire community.

Attracting Donors 

Two forward-thinking tips for securing donors for your nonprofit organization!

Focus on Your Current Donors

Retaining donors is more effective than constantly finding new ones. Keep communication regular and meaningful—share real-time updates, show impact, and say thank you. A call from a board member or an invite to a special event can go a long way. Personalized touches like site visits or donor spotlights help build lasting trust.

Offer Giving Options

Make giving easy and flexible. Provide choices that meet donors where they are, whether it’s recurring online gifts, bequests, stock transfers, or other planned giving tools.

Need help navigating advanced giving options? The Community Foundation is here to support you. Contact Jacob Stone-Welch at jstone@hamiltonfoundation.org.

Nonprofit Spotlight –

PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA

PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA, located in Hamilton, Ohio, is dedicated to advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in the court system. As part of the national CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) network, PARACHUTE recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers to serve as the voice of these vulnerable children in the court and throughout their time in foster care.

Each year, PARACHUTE serves hundreds of children across Butler County ensuring they have a consistent and caring adult to speak on their behalf. CASA volunteers gather information, attend court hearings, and make recommendations to help judges make informed decisions about a child's future - working tirelessly to help children find safe, permanent homes.

In Ohio, thousands of children are in foster care due to abuse or neglect. Without a dedicated CASA volunteer, many of these children may never have their voices heard. PARACHUTE CASA not only supports these youth during some of the most difficult times of their lives but also raises awareness about child welfare issues and the importance of strong advocacy.

PARACHUTE relies on volunteers and community support to fulfill its mission. Volunteer advocates come from all walks of life and are provided with comprehensive training to prepare them for their role. The need for more advocates is greater than ever as the number of children in foster care continues to rise.

Want to be featured in our Nonprofit Spotlight? Open an Endowment Fund to be eligible!

Many nonprofits open an Endowment Fund at the Foundation to ensure long-term growth and protection of their investments.

Connecting Passion with Purpose: Meet Tracy!

Our Community Investment Officer, Tracy Eads (pictured right, with Sarah Templeton-Wilson, Pyramid Hill left), has been out and about, meeting with nonprofits across Hamilton! Tracy bridges the gap between local organizations and donors who are eager to make a difference.

Whether she's learning about a new initiative or helping match resources to needs, Tracy is committed to helping communities thrive. If she hasn't had a chance to meet your organization yet, she's looking forward to it! Want to connect? Reach out to Tracy at teads@hamiltonfoundation.org.