Throughout the year, we have been sharing news and stories from the foundation on our bi-weekly blog. As we close out 2016 and ring in the New Year, we’re celebrating a few of the top stories from our year of blogging:

A foundation of leadership

We started the year with exciting news that our President & CEO Ronn Richard was ranked #4 on Community Leader’s Power 100 list. We welcomed a new board chair and new members to our board of directors, reflected on the careers of some of longest-serving staff members as they prepared to retire, and announced exciting senior leadership appointments on our grantmaking team.  

Progress in our public schools

We recapped highlights from Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Eric Gordon’s “State of the Schools” address, and honored the excellent teachers making a difference in their classrooms every day. 

A new mastery-based arts initiative

From our $500K grant to expand the Brick City Theatre program, to a year-round afterschool photography program, we reported on the foundation’s commitment to mastery programs for local youth and why it matters.

World-class public spaces

We announced the foundation’s $1M grant towards a new greenway project in Greater University Circle and cheered for Cleveland’s “Emerald Necklace.” We celebrated the re-dedication of Cleveland Public Square this summer and enjoyed a free day of skating at the Cleveland Foundation Skating rink when the seasons changed.

An Encore for experienced Greater Clevelanders…

We explored an arts program for adults ages 50 and better, sat in on an intergenerational distance learning program in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood, and revealed the 2016 Encore Cleveland Prize winner.

…And an opening act for the next generation

One of our most popular posts of the year followed the release of the “Fifth Migration” foundation-commissioned study of millennials in Northeast Ohio. We introduced our inaugural cohort of Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellows and welcomed a new class of Cleveland Foundation Summer Interns – all of whom contributed their own #SummerOfPurpose guest post to our blog! 

With so much happening at the foundation and in the community, we look forward to another year of exciting announcements and stories here on the blog. Our monthly e-newsletter is another great way to get the latest news from the Cleveland Foundation. Sign up right here to receive our e-newsletter each month!