In honor of Earth Day, we’re looking back at our recent grants supporting a healthy planet! The Cleveland Foundation has a long history of support for green spaces and efforts to preserve and protect our natural resources. In fact, one of the foundation’s first acts was to commission a study that helped launch the Cleveland Metroparks. Nearly 100 years later, we remain committed to environmental causes in our community.
A Microgrid Planning Study
Last month, we announced a grant to study how microgrids – localized energy systems—can spur economic development in downtown Cleveland. Our support will fund a collaboration between Cleveland State University (CSU), Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland to explore how the city might leverage microgrid technology into business growth, by studying energy systems, cost-competitive energy resources and the anticipated development of offshore wind energy. Learn more about the grant here.
A Summer Program Focused on Sustainability
In February, we granted $15,000 to the Foresight Design Initiative (FDI) for a summer immersion experience for three Cleveland Metropolitan School District high school students. The grant supports scholarships for the students to attend a pre-college summer program at Oberlin focused on environmental sustainability and equity, as well as a four- to six-week paid internship that will give the students opportunities to observe and carry out meaningful work, while exploring potential careers in the field of sustainability.
A Learning Exchange for Parks Stakeholders
We also granted $1,500 to City Parks Alliance for a forum and learning exchange among Cleveland parks stakeholders – including city park agencies, nonprofit organizations, policymakers and neighborhood advocates – with the goal of gaining insights into how to better activate and design local park space for healthier communities.
These are just a few of the earth-friendly initiatives we’ve supported so far this year. Learn more about our recent support for sustainability initiatives here.
