Grantmaking
In 2007, the Cleveland Foundation awarded more than $85 million in grants, primarily to nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties. Those grants fell into three categories:
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Proactive. A growing percentage of our grantmaking dollars is awarded proactively in areas judged most vital to Greater Cleveland’s future. Grants in these areas are generally made to our long-term partners with the goal of creating significant, widespread impact.
Learn more about the vital issues to which we proactively direct grant dollars.
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Donor-Directed. Approximately half of our grant dollars are awarded at the recommendation of donors through donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, and scholarships. The foundation assists donors in making informed decisions about projects and organizations that best match their philanthropic goals.
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Responsive. The rest of the Cleveland Foundation’s grants are made in response to direct requests from the community, as described below.
View a list of grants made by the Cleveland Foundation in 2007
In general, responsive grants are made in (but not restricted to) the areas of:
- Arts and culture
- Community development
- Economic development
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human services
We give priority to programs that:
- Create and improve quality services and programs for vulnerable and underserved populations.
- Increase the quality, effectiveness and viability of nonprofit organizations.
- Develop or test/evaluate new, creative community solutions.
- Promote problem-solving that supports partnerships and collaboration.
The Cleveland Foundation is now awarding capital grants only to organizations that adopt “green building” principles.