Employee stipends are bringing joy and opportunity to local communities

At 84.51°, we're committed to fostering a culture of giving back. Employee Grant Stipends are a cornerstone of our Living Our Purpose initiative, empowering our associates to make a meaningful difference in their communities by providing a $1,000 donation to support a charity of their choice, as long as they're actively involved with the organization.

Our associates are making a real impact by supporting a wide range of initiatives, from support programs to fostering the local arts. Check out how associates like Emily Williams, Tess Harper and Eliza Moffat are using their passions to drive positive change and inspire others.

Boone County Sheriff’s Auxiliary – Emily Williams

The Boone County Sheriff’s Auxiliary’s primary mission is to support The Boone County Sheriff’s Office, its employees and their families in times of need and grief. For Emily, a member of the Corporate Marketing & Communications team, this donation is close to her heart.

“Often times, family members and support systems of first responders are acknowledged with words but sometimes more is needed especially when someone (the officer or the family) is sick or falling on hard times," Emily said. "As a partner to a first responder whose family includes many other first responders, this group means a lot to me because they provide both social/community and financial support to those who give so much to others.”

Our donation went towards a golf cart sponsorship at their annual Birdies & Badges Golf Outing, celebrating the remarkable 225-year legacy of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

Wyoming Community Collective – Tess Harper

Tess Harper is co-founder and board member for Wyoming Community Collaborative (WCC) – a 501(c)(3) focused on creating communities where the residents and children of every race have equal opportunity to thrive. She also co-leads the department Wyoming Community in Action, a department of Wyoming Community Collaborative.

“We provide educational opportunities about diversity through community events that encourage inclusion and belonging,” Tess said. “We also provide a safe place for residents of color to share their experiences and perspectives. We foster empathy and motivate our neighbors to work towards positive changes in systemic structures, practices, and policies. By strengthening relationships in our schools, city government, and justice system, we build racial equity and trust.”

Her grant was used to support Wyoming’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, where approximately 500 Wyoming residents and neighbors for nearby communities joined for a fun, educational, family event. This is an entirely free event for the community so 84.51°’s donation helped fund music, arts and crafts, black history education corner for kids, free face painting and balloon animals, tables and chairs.

“Because we had such great support from 84.51° and other sponsors, we were able to give out our first Youth Impact Awards which came with a $250 scholarship to the outgoing president and vice president of the Wyoming High School Advancing Cultural Equality and Success (ACES) Club.”

School for the Creative & Performing Arts (SCPA) Fund – Eliza Moffat

The SCPA Fund is a non-profit organization that supports academic and artistic excellence at Cincinnati’s School for Creative & Performing Arts – one of the nation’s first schools of its kind. Ongoing financial support is crucial to maintaining its high-quality artistic programs. The SCPA Fund provides $625 per student annually to supplement a broad range of essentials, including additional staffing and equipment, new pointe shoes, sheet music, costumes, and the rights to bring innovative productions to its theaters each year.

"One of SCPA’s biggest fundraising opportunities is its annual gala, The Future of the Arts, where SCPA students get the incredible opportunity to perform alongside talented local professionals – the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Pops, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, May Festival Chorus, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to name a few,” Eliza said. “As a co-chair for the 2023 and 2024 Galas, I’m honored that 84.51° has supported this incredible opportunity to build the future generation of the arts!”