Sister Sally Duffy Reflects on 10 Years of GreenLight Fund Cincinnati

By Tamara Thrasher, Program Manager, GreenLight Fund Cincinnati

For more than a decade, Sister Sally Duffy, SC, has been a guiding force behind GreenLight Fund Cincinnati. As one of the original members of the Selection Advisory Council (SAC), she has helped shape the site’s investments, ensuring each one is grounded in community voice, collaboration, and measurable impact.

That focus on listening and adapting is what continues to inspire her. Over the past 10 years, Sister Sally has witnessed how GreenLight’s investments ripple through the community and create strong partnerships and new pathways for families to thrive.

“GreenLight Fund investments are always collaborative,” she says. “For example, HomeStart Renew Collaborative works with Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, and the Leading Men Fellowship partners with Cincinnati Public Schools and Preschool Promise. GreenLight staff are very intentional about ensuring a good local fit and collaboration.”

Because of this intentional, community-driven approach, GreenLight Cincinnati’s portfolio organizations have achieved measurable, meaningful results that touch thousands of lives across Cincinnati. Some highlights include:

• First Place for Youth: 100% of this year’s graduates secured stable housing and maintained progress towards or fully completed their GED or high school diploma.
• HomeStart Renew Collaborative: Provided eviction prevention support to 264 individuals, helping families stabilize and remain housed for 12+ months after intervention.
• The Literacy Lab: Over 66% of students reached or were near kindergarten readiness by year-end.
• Center for Employment Opportunities: Participants in Cincinnati earned an average of $17.06 per hour this year. 63% above Ohio’s minimum wage.
• UpTogether: The number of families facing financial emergencies dropped from 88% to 67%, supported by statewide expansion and partnership with the Ohio Mothers Trust.
• Fathers’ UpLift: Expected to engage close to 200 dads in services during its first year of programming, strengthening family relationships and supporting fathers’ full participation in their children’s lives.

At the heart of GreenLight’s approach is its five-step method: Discover, Scout, Select, Invest, and Measure. For Sister Sally, the power of this model lies in its foundation.

“The community-driven approach always begins with listening,” she emphasizes. “Listening is critical in every step.”

As GreenLight Cincinnati prepares to select its seventh portfolio organization, Sister Sally remains deeply optimistic about what’s ahead.  “If you want to witness impactful, meaningful work, look at the measurable results of these evidence-based organizations over the past decade,” she says. “There are so many ways to support this work, by becoming an investor, donating, or simply spreading the word. The conditions that allow individuals and families to thrive are better because of GreenLight.”