“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
– L.R.Knost –
These are the words I shared at my grandmother’s funeral. She cherished life’s amazing moments with family and friends, even while facing profound hardship, including poverty and the loss of two children. Through it all, she lived her ordinary life in the service of others.
As we enter this season of thanksgiving, I’m especially grateful to my grandmother for teaching me resilience, as I’m finding that is exactly what many people need right now.
Breathe in the amazing!
I find joy in watching my teenage daughters come into their own. I’m inspired by TriHealth and our community grant partners who are improving the health and wellbeing of all people in our region. My optimism grows as funders have chosen to leverage their dollars and come together to create the Better Together Fund at Greater Cincinnati Foundation, strengthening nonprofits when they need it the most. I’m encouraged as bi3 leans into trust-based philanthropy, shifting power and decision-making to local youth to foster belonging and connection. I also breathe in the creativity as schools submit their ideas to participate in World Teen Mental Wellness Day, helping reduce stigma and increasing awareness of available resources.
I feel gratitude as our community steps forward to ensure that families and children do not go hungry, as SNAP benefits continue to face disruptions. I am energized by experiences like the F.I.R.E. conference, where women gathered to ignite boldness and purpose. I am honored to have been appointed by Governor DeWine as Chair of Ohio’s Children and Youth Advisory Council, which is responsible for ensuring that policies and investments meet the needs of Ohio’s children, youth, and families. I also feel a deep appreciation for my friend Dr. Meredith Smith, as the book we co-authored helps communities tackle their own wicked problems.
Hold on through the awful.
These are challenging times for our nonprofit sector. Organizations face attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion alongside permanent funding cuts and delayed government payments. Many are being forced to reduce programs or staff when their communities need them the most. Let’s use our voices to advocate for what we care about and continue to support one another.
Find strength and healing in the ordinary.
Make time and space to take care of yourself and fill your cup. Let’s cherish the small moments, appreciate the present, and find peace in our routines and relationships.
Together, we can ensure that all people in Greater Cincinnati have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health.
Wishing you and your loved ones much health, happiness, and resilience this holiday season.
Jill Miller
President & CEO, bi3
Funding Opportunities
Applications are open for World Teen Mental Wellness Day funding
The bi3 Fund, Interact for Heath and The Joe Burrow Foundation invite Greater Cincinnati students in grades 7-12 to develop and participate in activities commemorating World Teen Mental Wellness Day on March 2, 2026.
Students will be awarded up to $1,000 per school to plan, create and lead activities that engage their fellow students.
This is the fourth year local students have had the opportunity to receive funding to support activities. Last year, over 80 schools participated.
bi3 joins regional partners to launch the Better Together Fund
In response to the growing uncertainty facing local nonprofits—from funding cuts to the impacts of the federal shutdown—bi3 joined Greater Cincinnati Foundation in collaboration with BT Rise, Interact for Health, and United Way of Greater Cincinnati to launch the Better Together Fund, which will help nonprofits adapt, collaborate, and build long-term sustainability as community needs increase and resources diminish.
The Better Together Fund will provide grants in three key areas: Capacity building, shared services and arrangements, and collaborative partnerships and mergers.
Grant applications are due by November 24.
Reminder: Letters of Intent for bi3’s Fostering Social Connections for Youth RFP due December 3
The bi3 Fund continues to invite local youth-serving nonprofit organizations to apply for funding, ranging from $100,000 to $1.5 million, to co-create or reimagine community spaces that help youth ages 12–24 build connection, belonging, and mental wellbeing.
Letters of Intent are due December 3, 2025.
bi3 Updates
Jill Miller named Cincinnati Enquirer Women of the Year
Congratulations to the 2025 Enquirer Women of the Year, especially bi3 Fund President & CEO Jill Miller and bi3 Fund Board Member Carolyn Micheli!
Jill spoke with the Enquirer about her career journey and what it means to be among the Enquirer’s 2025 Women of the Year.
Since 1968, the Cincinnati Enquirer Women of the Year awards have been presented annually to standout women who use their passion for service and diverse skills to make Cincinnati a better place.
HEY! featured in Grantmakers in Health Views from the Field
The bi3 Fund’s Jill Miller and Jennifer Zimmerman recently authored a feature on Greater Cincinnati’s work to improve youth mental health and center youth voices through Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!)
Early impact of HEY! shows what’s possible when young people are placed at the center of the work meant to support them.
Policy Corner
Jill Miller appointed Chair of the new Ohio Children and Youth Advisory Council
Governor Mike DeWine appointed Jill Miller to serve as Chair of the new Children and Youth Advisory Council.
The council serves as a unified advisory body to ensure that Ohio’s policies and investments are coordinated, data-driven, and responsive to the needs of children, youth, and families. It comprises 25 members, plus state team members, and is co-chaired by Kara Wente, Director of the Ohio Department of Children and Family Services.
One of the department’s priorities is reducing Ohio’s infant mortality rate. Subcommittees of the council include early care and education, maternal and infant vitality, early identification, inclusion and home visiting, children’s services, and early childhood mental health.
Grantee Spotlight
Toni Tipton of Uzima Rejuvenation Station
A $400,000 grant from bi3 supported the implementation of Uzima’s Black Midwives: Champions for Maternal Health Initiative, which provides culturally competent childbirth education and breastfeeding support, as well as addressing social determinants of health.
Toni Tipton is a Board-Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, and co-founder of Uzima Rejuvenation Station. Through the Black Midwives initiative, she and her team are enhancing care for Black expectant parents and their babies in Butler County.
For more updates on the work of bi3 and our funded partners, be sure to follow us on social media!
