Youth leaders lead funding decisions to reimagine safe community spaces
The bi3 Fund announced a combined investment of nearly $7 million to support youth mental health and wellbeing across Greater Cincinnati. bi3 is awarding $5.3 million in grants to four organizations to co-create safe community spaces with youth, plus an additional $1.5 million investment in Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) to advance a long-term regional strategy.
Investing in spaces that foster connection and belonging
The need for third spaces—defined as places beyond home and school where youth can build relationships and access support in safe, welcoming environments—was identified by youth in collaboration with the collective impact initiative HEY!.
“People don’t have a strong community. People don’t know there are means to get to where you want to go. I think isolation and lack of community takes that away, Feeling like you are in community that cares about me makes me do well,” one 18-year-old reported as part of the HEY! Needs Assessment.
“We need to invest more in prevention. To promote a culture of mental wellness among our youth, we need to genuinely listen to them and trust their ability to help create solutions,” Jill Miller, president & CEO of the bi3 Fund, said. “These investments are directly informed by what the youth have told us. Feeling connected, having a sense of belonging, and having trusted relationships are crucial for their wellbeing. It’s inspiring to witness the remarkable results when communities and young people work together to create change.”
bi3 awarded $5.3 million to four organizations. Youth leaders played a central role in the funding process, serving on a review committee that helped shape and recommend final grant awards, ensuring the selected projects reflect the priorities and lived experience of young people.
Grant recipients include:
Adventure Crew – $1,000,000
Supporting The Renewal Project, a youth-designed indoor and outdoor campus focused on connection, leadership, and nature-based experiences.
Found Village – $1,500,000
Launching The Imagination Center in Norwood, a youth-led space designed for young people involved in the child welfare system, with a focus on belonging, safety, and access to trusted adults.
Kennedy Heights Arts Center – $1,366,000
Creating a Teen Arts Center offering free, youth-led creative programming, mentorship, and trauma-informed wellness support.
Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses – $1,500,000
Expanding youth-centered programming in the West End through the Youth Power Project, focused on leadership, wellness, workforce development, and mental health support.
Together, these initiatives are expected to engage thousands of youth across the region over the next three years.
Advancing a long-term, youth-driven strategy
In addition to the four grants to foster connection and belonging, bi3 is committing $1.5 million over three years to Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!). The regional collective impact initiative aims to align resources to improve youth mental health and wellbeing. This funding builds on bi3’s existing $1 million investment in the collaborative.
HEY! brings together youth, families, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders to advance a 10-year strategy grounded in youth voice, with a focus on increasing belonging, strengthening connections to trusted adults, and improving outcomes across systems.
