Grant Propoal: The Kroger Co. Foundation (BDPA Cincinnati)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked closely with the officers of the BDPA Cincinnati chapter to submit a grant proposal to the The Kroger Co. Foundation seeking $5,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.  We hope to have an answer by the end of the year. 

The Kroger Co. Foundation was established in 1987 to support charitable activities in the communities where Kroger customers and associates live and work.Grants are made to feed the hungry, support breast cancer initiatives, provide disaster relief and assist local grassroots organizations. The Foundation relies on personnel in the Company’s retail operating units to recommend the most appropriate and effective use of Foundation resources in the community. BDPA Cincinnati sent its proposal to Reuben Shaffer, Chief Diversity Officer at Kroger.

BETF is willing to work with any of the 46 local BDPA chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Grant Proposal: The Kroger Foundation (Cincinnati)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) partnered with BDPA Cincinnati to submit a grant proposal to The Kroger Foundation seeking $5,000 funding to support the chapter's 2015 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

The objective of our SITES program in Cincinnati is to effectively use technology to stimulate and sustain the interest of young people in science and technology. BDPA Cincinnati is qualified to deliver this proactive youth education project. BDPA seeks an increased interest from parents and students alike on basic science, technology, engineering and math knowledge and integration of science, technology, math and health awareness in their lives.

BDPA introduces computers and basic software programming as well as more advanced computer programming to traditionally underrepresented students in our community. BDPA partners with local universities to improve the technical awareness, engagement, health awareness and job opportunities of high school and college students, in particular those considering attending Brown Mackie College, Cincinnati State Technical College, Northern Kentucky University, Per Scholas and the University of Cincinnati.

BETF would love to submit a joint grant proposal with all 46 local BDPA chapters. The process is simple enough. Just reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further. In the meantime, wish luck to Dalric Webb (chapter president) and Ellery Lewis (chapter vice president of fundraising) as they seek to quickly identify full funding for the chapter's 2015 SITES program.

You can help by purchasing a ticket or an ad for the chapter's 18th Annual BDPA Education Banquet honoring the students, volunteers and sponsors of the highly successful 2014 SITES program in Cincinnati!

BDPA Corporate Supporter Kroger Seeks Diverse IT Talent

BDPA is very pleased to announce that The Kroger Company agreed to become a corporate supporter. They plan to post a career opportunity on the BDPA Job Board - www.ITDiversityCareers.com - to see if BDPA is a legitimate source for diverse IT talent. Kroger, one of the world’s largest retailers, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,425 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states. They are a major employer with some remarkable technologies.

Kroger is one of a growing number of corporations seeking support from BDPA in its recruiting efforts. Do you know of any unemployed or under-employed BDPA members in your chapter that could benefit from these growing job postings? If so, please have them click here to upload their most current resume!

Related articles

• Freddie Mac Becomes a BDPA Sponsor in Order to Recruit Diverse IT Talent
• University of Cincinnati Subscribes to the BDPA Job Board

Grant Declination: The Kroger Co. (BDPA Cincinnati)

In the interest of total transparency BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) shares information on our grant-writing efforts here on this blog. Sometimes the information is good and uplifting.

Sometimes the information is disappointing. BETF learned that our grant proposal to The Kroger Co. has been turned down. We wanted funding to support the 16th annual BDPA Cincinnati chapter Education and Awards Banquet.

The declination message from Kroger read as follows:

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Dear Wayne Hicks,

We are writing in response to your recent request for assistance with your event. While we are greatly impressed by the scope of your organization’s work, we are unable to offer BDPA Education and Technology Foundation support at this time.

If your organization does not participate in our Kroger Neighborhood Rewards Fundraising Program, please visit our website www.kroger.com/mykroger/014.com for an application. This is a quick, easy way for schools (K-12), churches or any 501(c)(3) charitable organization to fundraise.

Best regards,
Kroger Customer Communications Team

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BETF will continue to seek funding to support BDPA Cincinnati chapter and the other 44 local BDPA chapters around the nation. If you have any ideas or funding sources that you think we should consider ... please let us know!

Grant Proposal: The Kroger Co. (Cincinnati)

BDPA Cincinnati chapter looks forward to its 16th annual Awards Banquet to be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The keynote speaker for the banquet is Margo Springs. Ms. Springs is the first African American women to serve as chief information officer for the City of Cincinnati.

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with BDPA Cincinnati chapter to submit an online grant proposal to The Kroger Co. We asked for them to provide funding towards the annual banquet. Our understanding is that the answer to our request should come within the next ten (10) business days.

Fundraiser: Kroger Plus Community Awards

We are pleased to report that BDPA is approved for the Kroger Community Awards Program. This means that BDPA can make money every time that you shop at Kroger or buy gas at a Kroger gas station. Are you a Kroger customer? If so, we hope you will take a moment to help BDPA.

All you need to do is register your Kroger Plus Card so that BDPA receives credit for the money you spend at Kroger. If you are a Kroger shopper and don't have Kroger Plus Card, you can pick one up at the customer service desk of any Kroger store.

Follow these steps:

1. Be sure to have your Kroger Plus Card handy when registering with Kroger.
2. Go to http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com/
3. Click on Sign In/Register
4. If you are a brand new online customer (which almost everyone is), you must click SIGN UP TODAY in the new customer box.
5. Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on your favorite store, and entering your e-mail address, creating a password and agreeing to terms and conditions.
6. You will then get a message to check your email Inbox. Click on the link within the body of that email to have your browser go to the next signup webpage in the process.
7. Click on My Account and use your email address and password and proceed to the next step.
8. Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus Card number. It is the long number under the Bar Code on the back of of the Kroger Plus Card.
9. Update or confirm your information.
10. Enter BDPA's Non Profit Organization (NPO) number: 85104, or BDPA Education and Technology Foundation. Select organization from list and click on confirm.
11. To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see BDPA's name on the right side of your information page.
12. If you use your phone number at the register (instead of a card), you can call (877) 576-7587 to get your Kroger Plus Card number.
13. When you shop, please swipe your registered Kroger Plus Card or use the phone number that is related to your registered Kroger Plus Card for your purchases to count for credit.

REMEMBER, purchases will not count for BDPA until after you register your card. Thank you for going through this important process so that we can continue to benefit from this generous Kroger Community Rewards Program!

What say u? Will you register your Kroger Plus Card for this fundraiser?

Kroger Neighborhood Reward Program

A great way to earn money for your non-profit organization with minimum selling and solicitation required.

Here's how:
• Send your completed application and copy of your 501(c)3 to Kroger Gift Services
• Place a gift card order with Kroger Gift Services
• Sell the cards to your supporters for full value
• Encourage your supporters to reload their card

Simple Reloading . . .
• The card can be reloaded for ANY amount up to $250.
• Pay for the reloaded card with cash, check or major credit card.
• When your non-profit organization reaches $5,000 with its initial order plus reloads in our four-week cycle, we will send a check to your organization for 4% of the total.

Total Purchase Earnings Your Organization Earns
$5,000 X 4% = $200

• If your organization doesn't reach $5,000 the money will carry over into the next four-week cycle.

IT'S THAT EASY

Call Gift Services for Details
1-800-294-4438

For more information:

• Neighborhood Reward Program Frequently Asked Questions 
• Kroger Neighborhood Reward Program Application

Kroger's Steve Gutter Rejoins BDPA Cincinnati Board of Directors

BDPA Cincinnati chapter (BDPA), a nonprofit organization made up of racially diverse information technology professionals who advance the careers of African Americans from the classroom to the boardroom, today announced the newest members of its board of directors. Steve Gutter, a developer in the Software Engineering Department at The Kroger Company has been appointed to serve as BDPA’s Vice President (VP) of Strategy and Planning.

Steve Gutter

Steve has an undergraduate degree in Systems Analysis from Miami University and a Masters in Informatics from Northern Kentucky University. Steve has expertise in a variety of programming languages and operating systems. He started out programming in COBOL and has kept improving his programming skills to developing dynamic web sites using Java and is now developing applications at Kroger for devices which use the Android operating system.

Steve joined BDPA in 2002 as a volunteer for weekend technology training provided to local high school students. He took the leadership role in the annual BDPA Midwest Regional conferences held in Cincinnati, OH from 2003-2007. He was elected by the membership to serve as the chapter’s VP-Finance from 2006-2010. Steve has won a number of awards with BDPA, including Member of the Year, Executive Officer of the Year and a Community Service Award.

“I am greatly looking forward to my new position on the BDPA Cincinnati board of directors," said Mr. Gutter. "I have been very involved with the chapter in many roles over the years. BDPA has given me excellent opportunities to develop leadership skills that I can use to help plan how we can best strengthen the chapter’s presence in the community and the local IT industry."

Steve (far right) plans strategy for Cincinnati chapter

The new board will set the direction for BDPA Cincinnati as it provides programs, scholarships and services necessary to advance the careers of African Americans and others in the information technology industry from the classroom to the boardroom. The chapter meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2011 at the P&G Winton Hill Business Center.

Steve takes on this new leadership position at a time when the number of African Americans receiving undergraduate and advanced degrees in computer science is disproportionately low and relatively few African American high school students receive the kind of institutional encouragement, educational opportunities, and preparation needed for them to choose computer science as a field of study and profession. BDPA Cincinnati uses its programs, scholarships and other services to impact on these dismal industry statistics.

“We're excited to have Steve re-join our leadership as the VP-Strategy and Planning. Steve did a wonderful job in past as our VP-Finance with his ability to implement comprehensive standards and processes to keep BDPA in compliance with general accounting standards,” said BDPA Cincinnati chapter president Wanda Gray. “Steve is dedicated to BDPA and its members. We welcome him back to the board and look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Please REPLY or COMMENT on this post with some words of encouragement for Steve as he embarks on this new leadership journey!

The Kroger Co. Foundation

The Kroger Co. Foundation was established in 1987 to support charitable activities in the communities where Kroger customers and associates live and work. The Foundation awards nearly $2.7 million to non-profit organizations on an annual basis.

Grants are made to feed the hungry, support breast cancer initiatives, provide disaster relief and assist local grassroots organizations. Read or download the Kroger Co. Foundation Report to the Community and learn more about how the Foundation strengthens the communities the Company serves.

When Fred Meyer Inc. and its banners Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Smith’s and QFC merged with Kroger in 1999, there were two separate foundations: Fred Meyer Foundation and Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation. Recently, the Ralphs/Food 4 Less and Fred Meyer foundations ceased separate operations and merged with The Kroger Co. Foundation. The Kroger Foundation serves all of the Company’s retail divisions, the Company’s manufacturing division and convenience stores.

Only proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations are considered. They do not use a specific grant application. Eligible organizations may submit proposals at any time through the community relations department of the local retail division office. The Foundation relies on personnel in the retail operating units to recommend the most appropriate and effective use of Foundation resources in the community. View the list of Kroger's retail division offices to find the one closest to you.

The Foundation does not support national organizations or programs; endowment campaigns; conferences or conventions; other foundations; individuals; medical research organizations; golf and other sports events.

Everything that you need to know about this funding source can be found in their contribution guidelines.

For additional information, please contact:





Foundation Administrator
The Kroger Co. Foundation
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 762-4449, ext. 3

Kroger Community Rewards

Kroger has a plan to give back to nonprofit organizations in Ohio or Michigan.

It's Easy... just shop, swipe your card & earn!

Kroger wants to give back to the community. The retailer is committed to helping our communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other non-profit organizations will earn millions of dollars through our Community Rewards Program. The Kroger Community Rewards Program was designed to make your fundraising the easiest in town by simply using your Kroger Plus Card.

Kudos to George Brooks for pointing this funding opportunity out to us. Please let us know if your chapter wants to participate in this fundraising opportunity.

Grant Proposal: The Kroger Co. Foundation

BETF and BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter submitted a grant proposal to The Kroger Co. Foundation. We requested funding to support the SITES program in Nashville TN.

The Kroger Co. Foundation was established in 1987 to support charitable activities in the communities where Kroger customers and associates live and work. The Foundation awards nearly $2.7 million to non-profit organizations each year. Eligible organizations may submit proposals at any time through the community relations department of the local retail division office. The Foundation relies on personnel in the retail operating units to recommend the most appropriate and effective use of Foundation resources in the community. Please click here to see the list of their retail division offices.

For a copy of their contribution guidelines, please click here.

Reflections on Innovation Message from Cincinnati Banquet Keynoter

Frank Hill is past president of the BDPA Cincinnati chapter. He attended the 13th Annual Education & Scholarship Luncheon for the Cincinnati Chapter. The title of the keynote address was 'Global Strategy for the IT Professional'. The keynote speaker was Brett Bonner, Director of Research and Development at the Kroger Co.

Anyhow, Frank attended the banquet and shared his reflections on the keynoter's speech,

"The talk really focused on innovation. The word innovation conjures up many different visions, however a definition that I like is 'A creative idea that is realized'. Brett spoke about the process and economic yields of innovation. As you can imagine, major businesses would cease to exist in a few years without continuous innovation.

This is a lengthy topic; however, one that I believe can lead to great gains from both a business and personal perspective. It's also one that can't be handled adequately in an email message. The speaker gave us a web link that contains podcasts on the topic of innovation. I listened to one of them this morning and found it quite enlightening. I recommend that you check-out Killer Innovations.

I think you will find enlightenment from the material on the website. I think it's best to listen to the August 19th podcast before trying to deal with the prose on the website. I also think it's best to take the information in small doses."

We are very grateful to Frank for sharing his thoughts with us. Do any of you have thoughts on innovation? or the podcast links listed in the posting above?