CINCINNATI—The Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, National Association, has announced gifts of nearly $6.2 million in 2019 through eight major foundations for which it serves as trustee or agent. Grants were given to organizations that focus on education, arts and culture, civic and community programs, health and human services, and community reinvestment activities that benefit low- to moderate-income earners, small businesses, affordable housing, financial literacy and workforce development efforts.
“We are pleased to have worked with so many inspiring organizations through the year that bring positive change to our communities,” said Heidi B. Jark, senior vice president and managing director of The Foundation Office. “Through The Foundation Office, we are working to fulfill the vision of the numerous families that have established philanthropic foundations to create a legacy of improving lives.”
These charitable grants help a wide variety of people and are far-reaching in their impact. New Life Furniture Bank, a nonprofit organization that delivers gently used furniture to families in need, received funds from the Ohio Valley Foundation. Dana Saxton, New Life’s executive director, explained how the money will help families. “The funding will help to furnish the homes of low-income Cincinnati residents by allowing us to collect more donated furniture and delivering up to 18 items to each household,” she said. “By stabilizing home environments, family members have a much greater chance to lead more dignified lives and their children can develop properly.”
Tracy Brumfield, founder of Reenter Into Society Empowered (RISE Up News), said the funds her news organization received from the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust have helped it link incarcerated individuals with reentry and social services. “The funding helps us publish solution-based articles and resource information that inspires readers and offers hope,” she said. “Because of the financial support through the Schmidlapp Trust, we’ve been able to reach thousands of individuals and provide them with actionable insights that will assist them once they have been released from jail.” RISE Up News is currently distributed to 20 community organizations and six county jails.
The eight foundations and trusts accept letters of inquiry from qualifying nonprofit organizations seeking grant support from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 each year. For guidelines on the inquiry process, visit www.cybergrants.com. The eight available funds are listed below with brief descriptions of their focus areas and the total amount distributed from them in 2019 to charitable organizations.
| Fund and description | 2019 Grants |
|---|---|
Charles Moerlein Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Supports religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes.
|
$90,000 |
Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Supports initiatives that empower and assist women and girls in achieving self-sufficiency.
|
$1.75 million |
Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Supports charitable and educational purposes for the city of Cincinnati, with a focus on the arts.
|
$160,000 |
Helen G., Henry F., & Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Supports nature and the conservation of nature’s beauty, as well as organizations that are beneficial to children, with a preference to organizations that Miss Dornette identified during her lifetime.
|
$410,000 |
Patricia Kisker Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Supports organizations that benefit or serve children, and educational, musical or arts organizations, as well as organizations which Patricia Kisker supported during her lifetime.
|
$210,000 |
Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Supports charitable or educational purposes; for relief in sickness, suffering and distress; for the care of young children, the aged or the helpless or afflicted; for the promotion of education, and to improve living conditions.
|
$3.170 million |
Ohio Valley Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Agent Funds small equipment and capital improvement projects in the Ohio Valley.
|
$320,000 |
Stillson Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Helps children and provides assistance to those charities the Stillsons supported during their lifetime.
|
$70,000 |
| Total | $6.18 million |
The Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, National Association, also serves as trustee, co-trustee or agent for more than 100 private and corporate foundations that grant millions of dollars annually to worthy charities across the United States. The foundations support a variety of causes, from education to the arts and from basic-needs organizations like shelters and counseling centers to environmental projects and animal rescue.
In addition, The Foundation Office manages the Fifth Third Foundation, one of the first corporate foundations established by a financial institution. The total amount awarded through The Foundation Office in 2019 was $12.7 million.
To learn more about The Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, please visit: http://go.53.com/foundation.
About Fifth Third Bancorp
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered institution. As of Sept. 30, 2019, Fifth Third had $171 billion in assets and operated 1,143 full-service banking centers and 2,487 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 53,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of Sept. 30, 2019, had $397 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $46 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.