I am pleased to share the bi3 Fund FY25 Annual Impact Report. While we share impact stories throughout the year, this report highlights our measurable progress toward fueling innovation and reducing health disparities. Progress is only possible through collaboration, and I am deeply grateful to our grantees, board, staff, TriHealth, and community partners who are united in advancing the health and wellbeing of all people in our region.
bi3 is committed to trust-based philanthropy and learning with our funded partners. In reflecting upon the past year, below are a few key themes and lessons learned that stand out to me:
- Reducing infant mortality and other wicked problems is a journey, not a destination. While our infant mortality rate ticked up in 2024, Hamilton County has seen a 29% decline in infant deaths since 2013, evidence that progress is being made. The path to success isn’t straight; it’s a winding journey with ups and downs. However, change is doable, as illustrated in the book bi3 published in April.
- Mental wellness is everyone’s responsibility, and better data is essential to measuring and sustaining a culture of wellness. We’ve seen through HEY! the importance and impact of listening to those at the center of the problem. By showing up together, we can build a culture of wellness while creating better access to needed services.
- Lasting systems change is possible when diverse people and organizations collaborate to shift structures, mindsets, power dynamics, and policies. We all have a role. Everyone can be an advocate.
While we look back and learn from the challenges and successes of the past year, our work continues. We will meet this critical moment by showing up for nonprofits, mobilizing money, and nurturing possibility.
We proudly announce two new grants to strengthen mental and emotional support for expectant and new mothers in our community. Through funding and partnership, bi3 seeks to amplify the conversation around maternal mental health, reduce barriers, and increase access to appropriate, desired, culturally relevant models of maternal mental healthcare.
On a personal note, I am also thrilled to share that Jennifer Zimmerman has been promoted to Senior Vice President of the bi3 Fund. Since joining us in 2016 as our fourth employee, Jennifer has played a vital role in building bi3’s programs and partnerships, helping grow Bethesda Inc.’s grantmaking initiative into the bi3 Fund we know today. Please join me in congratulating her as she takes on expanded executive leadership responsibilities, including oversight of bi3’s grantmaking operations.
At bi3, we believe our community is stronger together—and that within every challenge lies opportunity.
Jill Miller
President & CEO, bi3
bi3 Updates
The bi3 Fund awards $1 million to support new and expectant moms’ mental wellness
bi3 is known for awarding large multi-year grants, recognizing that people need time and significant resources to think differently and try new things. Today, bi3 is investing $1 million to strengthen maternal mental health supports for new and expectant mothers through two $500,000 grants to Mental Health America of Ohio and the Great Miami Valley YMCA – Booker T. Washington Community Center over the next three years.
Mental Health America of Ohio will expand its Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms (POEM) program in Cincinnati, building off successful implementation in Central Ohio and Dayton. Over the next three years, the program will impact at least 600 moms through peer support, care navigation, and support groups, strengthening family stability and emotional wellbeing and ensuring equitable access to maternal mental health services.
The program also has the potential to support advocacy efforts for systems change.
Great Miami Valley YMCA-Booker T. Washington Community Center will launch a Maternal Wellness Center in Butler County, providing culturally affirming care that includes therapy, healing circles, movement, and family support for Black and Hispanic women from pregnancy through three years postpartum. Programming was designed based on community input, leveraging the organization’s deep, trusted relationships with Black and Hispanic communities.
The Maternal Wellness Center is expected to increase maternal wellbeing, expand access to care, and raise community awareness of maternal mental health.
bi3’s Jennifer Zimmerman promoted to Senior Vice President of Strategy and Chief Impact Officer
bi3 is pleased to announce Jennifer Zimmerman as its newest Senior Vice President. In this new role, Jennifer will assume additional executive leadership responsibilities, including overseeing the operations of bi3’s grantmaking.
Jennifer joined the organization in 2016 to help build and grow Bethesda Inc.’s grantmaking initiative, which is now known as the bi3 Fund. Through her evaluation and learning expertise, she helped develop, implement, and measure the impact of every strategic plan bi3 has created. She has been instrumental in building programs to improve health and wellbeing and implementing a trust-based culture and approach in bi3’s grantmaking. Jennifer successfully manages and supports the grantmaking team and is responsible for community partnerships, evaluation and learning.
Join bi3’s Jill Miller at the following upcoming events:
bi3’s Jill Miller will be among the speakers at the upcoming F.I.R.E. Conference on Thursday, October 2. This transformative, full-day experience is designed to ignite purpose, inspire growth, and influence change. Held at Cincinnati’s Music Hall, the event will offer dynamic speakers, powerful conversations, and meaningful connections, with a goal of empowering women to rise boldly and lead with intention.
Also, join bi3’s Jill Miller and Cradle Cincinnati Executive Director, Dr. Meredith Smith, at the Health Policy Institute of Ohio’s second annual Health Policy Summit on Thursday, October 9, and discover your role in tackling community problems.
The Summit will bring together partners from across the state and focus on evidence-based strategies that improve outcomes for children, working-age adults, and older adults.
For more updates on the work of bi3 and our funded partners, be sure to follow us on social media!
