The Social Impact Fund (SIF) is a funding opportunity open to local nonprofit organizations that are improving lives and communities through their work in one of the three focus areas: Children's health and wellness, Cincinnati poverty/financial insecurity, and youth technology initiatives. Each cycle, approximately 30 nonprofits submit proposals for funding. The SIF fund is a joint collaboration between Pay it Forward Cincinnati and Ingage Partners, our corporate partner since 2015. Ingage Partners has donated $211,7000 and over 600 pro bono hours to nonprofits through SIF.

Our 2021 SIF winner was ChangingGears, a nonprofit located in the west end of Cincinnati working to remove transportation barriers for people who are working their way out of poverty. The SIF grant helped ChangingGears launch their Auto Technician training program. This program will accelerate individual advancement out of poverty within the supportive context of CityLink Center. It will equip clients with the hard and soft skills necessary to obtain a living wage job in industries that have long-term career opportunities.

This year, the grant amount was for $48,000 and 100 hours of pro bono work. We're excited to continue to follow the success of ChangingGears' program, already they are seeing individuals launch careers with a 170% increase in earnings on average as a result of the program.