The World’s First Community FoundationFrederick H. GoffBanker and lawyer Frederick H. Goff was a “mover and shaker” in Cleveland long before that phrase became part of the American lexicon. Today, the moving and shaking that Goff began with his revolutionary idea have become a benevolent worldwide rumble. And its greatest...
Define Your Next Chapter
The Cleveland Foundation supports leadership across generations for the benefit of our community. Launched in 2013 by the Cleveland Foundation, Encore Cleveland helps to connect and fund a network of local organizations offering meaningful opportunities for Greater Clevelanders who are retired or nearing...
Strengthening our Community
It seems that just when a charitable organization is needed most by its constituents, funds from private, philanthropic and government resources become all the more difficult to obtain. Forward-thinking board members and staff of charitable organizations are discovering the need to establish stable investments...
There’s a common thread that links the stories told about Frank Jason Feola, Ph.D.Frank’s father, Frank Sr., tells a story from Frank’s high school days. A talented artist, Frank had the opportunity to tour Europe with Mentor’s Top 25 Show Choir. When a classmate fell seriously ill on the trip, Frank went out of his way to take...
Dr. Ellen Burts-Cooper, entrepreneur and philanthropist, places teamwork at the heart of both her professional and philanthropic pursuits. With the belief that we can accomplish more together than alone, Dr. Burts-Cooper follows her passion for youth mentorship by contributing to the Our Hope, Our Future Giving Circle fund and awarding...
Robert P. Madison always dreamed of becoming an architect, but as an African American man growing up in the 1920s and 1930s, social inequality continuously tried to block his path to success. After overcoming countless obstacles, Madison achieved his goals by establishing a successful architecture firm that celebrates diversity, as well...
Dr. Barbara Harris, philanthropist and retired educator, believes that anyone can be philanthropic, whether through charitable giving, volunteering or a combination of both. As a featured philanthropist at the 2018 African American Philanthropy Summit, we asked Dr. Harris to share the origins of her philanthropy and what inspires her to...
From donating her allowance to help a friend, to mentoring the next generation of Clevelanders, philanthropy and community building has always been a priority for Ann-Marie Ogletree. A retired Cleveland Metropolitan School District administrator and founder of Fundamentals Early Childhood Development Academy, Ogletree shared her story as...
When Belva Denmark Tibbs became a mother, she was eager to pass on her long-standing family tradition of serving the community to her daughter, Imani. Guided by the belief that anyone can be a philanthropist, regardless of age or wealth, the women teamed up to create a donor-advised fund with the Cleveland Foundation that will benefit the...
Valdia Burns-Frazier knew from a young age that she wanted to own her own business, and with this dream, she believed that serving her community should be at the core of her career path and life. As a featured philanthropist at the 2018 African American Philanthropy Summit, we spoke to Burns-Frazier, entrepreneur and founder of Rogers...