Findlay Market Raised $19.3 Million for Expansion
The market's capital campaign provides infrastructure funding to support local small businesses and future growth.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you believe historic local markets are essential to the vitality of your community?
The Corporation for Findlay Market has secured $19.3 million of its $21 million goal through the Findlay Forward capital campaign. These funds aim to bolster infrastructure and support food entrepreneurship as the market approaches its 175th anniversary.
Why it matters
The campaign ensures the market remains a stable hub for small-business commerce by funding infrastructure and incubator programs amidst ongoing local revitalization. The influx of capital allows the nonprofit operator to manage long-term site health and growth beyond its annual operating budget.
The campaign has secured $19.3 million of its $21 million goal, with funds allocated for infrastructure ($13.4 million), future needs ($4.7 million), and food business support ($2.9 million). The nonprofit reported $8 million in fiscal year 2025 revenue, an increase from $4.9 million in 2024.
The players
Corporation for Findlay Market
A nonprofit organization that has managed the Cincinnati-based market since taking over from city administration in 2004.
Findlay Market
A historic Cincinnati marketplace that serves as a central hub for food entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
The details
The Corporation for Findlay Market manages these funds to sustain operations and physical facilities, building on more than $2.8 million in city capital funding received since 2022. Infrastructure improvements already include completed bathroom renovations, while the Findlay Kitchen incubator continues to host entrepreneurs. Tours conducted by staff helped secure contributions from corporate, foundation, and city sources to reach this progress.
Timeline
2000: The Corporation for Findlay Market was established.
2004: Management of the market was transferred from the city to the nonprofit.
2016: The Findlay Kitchen incubator was launched.
June 30, 2025: The fiscal year ended for the nonprofit revenue report.
2027: The market will celebrate its 175th anniversary with a parade.
Market Landscape
The capital campaign follows the operational independence established by the 2004 management transfer from the city to the nonprofit. This shift toward self-sustaining private fundraising marks a departure from traditional reliance on the city's annual $367,000 operating allocation.
Operators should note that the campaign secures $13.4 million for infrastructure, which suggests improved long-term site reliability for market-based businesses. Monitor the 2027 anniversary parade as a signal of project completion and the status of the remaining $1.7 million in campaign funds.
The takeaway
The successful capital raise demonstrates the capacity for nonprofit market managers to leverage private and corporate funding for long-term facility health. Business operators should monitor 2027 event schedules to assess how completed infrastructure improvements align with their own operational foot traffic projections.
Further reading
For more on local initiatives, visit the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cincinnati.
Live Poll
Do you believe historic local markets are essential to the vitality of your community?
