About Us

place matters is:
• A place-based investment pilot project seeking to achieve breakthrough change in three strategically important communities of Greater Cincinnati.

• An effort to support Comprehensive Community Initiatives in those three neighborhoods.

• A funders’ collaborative of major regional social investors from both the philanthropic and business sectors.

• An ongoing partnership between the funders collaborative and neighborhood collaboratives working for community transformation.

• A way of doing business by social investors to assure that all their investments in a given neighborhood are aligned with a comprehensive plan and drive toward the achievement of pre-agreed outcomes.

 

INVESTORS
The principal investors in place matters are:
• The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
• JP Morgan Chase Bank
• LISC of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
• NeighborWorks America
• PNC Bank
• SC Ministry Foundation
• United Way of Greater Cincinnati
• The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation

INTERMEDIARIES
• The Community Building Institute at Xavier University
• LISC of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
• NeighborWorks America

NEIGHBORHOODS
There were 27 ncommunities that qualified as place matters candidates, and three of them—Avondale, Covington and Price Hill—were selected for a three-year pilot program. The three were chosen because they have:

• high-capacity institutions (such as social service agencies and community development corporations);

• a fairly high degree of citizen leadership;

• a widespread feeling that “it’s time for a change”;

• the potential for cooperation among neighborhood groups;

• other funders willing to invest in the neighborhood; and

• a sizeable population.

KEY MEASURES
place matters measures impact using the following outcomes:

• Families live in neighborhoods with physical structures and amenities that are in good condition.

• Families have safe, decent, affordable housing.

• People feel safe in their homes and moving about the neighborhood.

• Families have increased earnings and income.

• Children area healthy and successful in school.

• Families and youth increase their civic participation.

• Families have strong support networks.

• Families have access to services that work for them.

SCALE OF INVESTMENT in place matters neighborhoods:
The place matters Collaborative has pledged $1.5 million per year since 2007 to the three neighborhoods. These funds represent only a portion of the total community development funds invested in each neighborhood.