Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2015

About Kathryn Merchant

Kathryn Merchant is driven by one thought above all others: how to make the world a better place. As a 1974 graduate of the School of Social Work and CEO of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Merchant believes that education is the way opportunity is created. True to her beliefs, her philanthropy has supported the school since 1991. Through her involvement, the school has created the state's first social work Ph.D. program, recruited top-notch faculty and researchers and debuted MSW Direct, an online degree program.

Merchant's foundation, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, covers eight counties in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. It helps individuals and businesses establish charitable funds, which award grants to nonprofit groups that meet certain criteria and goals. In June, 2015, Merchant retired from the foundation after 18 years as its CEO.