bi3
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Better Together Fund invests $1.5 million to strengthen nonprofits
In this challenging moment, the bi3 Fund is standing with the nonprofit community, collaborating with fellow funders, mobilizing resources in a trust-based way, and fueling innovation. Our support of the Better Together Fund is one meaningful way we are putting these commitments into action.
bi3 is proud to partner with the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Interact for Health, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and BT RISE to award more than $1.5 million to 34 local nonprofits through the Better Together Fund.
With 310 organizations applying this cycle, the demand for flexible funding and operational support is clear. In addition to grant dollars, the Fund provides tailored consulting and capacity-building services to help nonprofits strengthen business models, improve operations, and build long-term sustainability.
bi3 recognizes that strong nonprofits are essential to healthy communities. This collaborative investment advances our vision of a region where all people can achieve their best health.
bi3 invests $160,000 to strengthen early postpartum support for families
bi3 awarded $160,000 to Every Child Succeeds to expand Family Connects, a state-funded initiative available to all families in participating counties via self-signup or referral.
The evidence-based nurse home-visiting program serves families in the critical weeks after birth, providing up to two no-cost nurse visits focused on health assessments, safe sleep, and community resources to reduce infant mortality.
As one of only five Ohio sites selected to launch the program, Every Child Succeeds (ECS) is strengthening referral pathways and outreach to ensure more Hamilton County families receive timely support. This grant advances bi3’s priority of supporting mothers and babies with early care as an essential building block to healthier futures for families and our region. It also provides flexible, unrestricted funding to complement state dollars in the early stages of the pilot, allowing ECS to address unforeseen barriers to a successful launch.
bi3 invests $400,000 to support Butler County families
bi3 awarded $400,000 over two years to IV-CHARIS to launch a trauma-informed, family-centered wellness model inside Butler County schools to promote mental health and build community resiliency. The model combines art, movement, music, and mindfulness with wraparound support to address family needs, supporting both students and their families in their healing journey.
Welcome Matt Janzaruk to Bethesda Inc. and bi3 Fund Board of Trustees
We are pleased to share that Matt Janzaruk joined the Board of Trustees of Bethesda Inc. and bi3. Matt brings deep financial leadership and governance expertise, informed by his role as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at The Procter & Gamble Company and by more than two decades of global finance and accounting experience. His leadership and strategic insight will strengthen long-term stewardship as we advance our vision that all people have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health.
Championing legislation to strengthen Ohio families
Transforming health cannot happen without shaping policy and programs. In recent weeks, the bi3 team has been advocating at the state level to protect Ohio families.
Recently, we submitted proponent testimony supporting House Bill 524, which would establish guardrails to prevent AI platforms from encouraging self-harm and impose financial penalties to support the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Fund.
We also submitted bi3’s support for House Bill 257, the Ohio Medical Debt Fairness Act, which would cap interest rates, prohibit wage garnishment, and prevent medical debt from harming credit, recognizing that medical debt is a public health issue affecting moms and babies.
Lastly, we look forward to the progress of Senate Bill 352, introduced by Senators Casey Weinstein and Jane Timken, which supports perinatal mental health screenings for moms as part of pediatric care for their infant.
GRANTEE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Victoria Ott, Executive Director of Fernside
At bi3, we know our partners are central to our success. Their leadership, innovation, and deep community roots drive lasting impact.
For more than two decades, Victoria Ott has led Fernside Center for Grieving Children with a simple yet powerful belief: No child should navigate grief alone. In our latest Grantee Spotlight, Victoria shares her journey from volunteer to Executive Director and reflects on Fernside’s profound impact on children and families across our region.
Thank you to Fernside for joining us in advancing our priority of promoting mental health and wellbeing and ensuring children build resilience that lasts a lifetime.
For more updates on the work of bi3 and our funded partners, be sure to follow us on social media!
