Release Date: 5.3.24

Cleveland Black Futures Fund announces fifth grant opportunity to support Black leaders and Black-serving organizations

Application portal opens May 13; technical assistance workshops and grant-writing support available

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Foundation today announced the upcoming fifth round of grantmaking from the Cleveland Black Futures Fund. Black-led, Black-serving nonprofit organizations operating in Cuyahoga, Lake or Geauga counties with budgets of $25,000 to $1 million can apply beginning on Monday, May 13. Since its inception in late 2020, the Cleveland Black Futures Fund has granted $5.89 million through 172 grants and 82 fellowships supporting local Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits. 

The overarching goal of the Cleveland Black Futures Fund is to strengthen the ecosystem of Black leaders and Black-serving organizations in Greater Cleveland by providing intentional resources to help grow organizational infrastructure and capacity. In the long term, the foundation aims to deepen the field of leaders working to dismantle systemic racism and advance the community toward racial equity. 

“The Cleveland Black Futures Fund has shown us what’s possible when we invest in leaders and organizations who know firsthand what’s needed to advance equity and justice in their communities,” said Joseph Black, program manager, racial equity & racial justice initiatives at the Cleveland Foundation. “Social change takes time, and we must be committed to sustaining this work long term to realize the foundation’s vision of a vibrant Northeast Ohio where no Clevelander is left behind.” 

Timeline for the fifth round of grantmaking: 

  • May 9: First technical assistance workshop (in-person and virtual options available), 5-6 p.m. Click here to register.
  • May 13: The online application portal opens at noon. Please continue to check the Cleveland Black Futures Fund website for more information. 
  • June 1: Second technical assistance workshop (virtual), 11 a.m. – noon. Click here to register.
  • June 12: The 2024 application deadline is June 12, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
  • End of July – Organizations that aren’t moving on to the final review round will be notified by email.
  • End of August – Final grant decisions announced. 

Starting Monday, May 13 at noon, applications can be submitted online by visiting the Cleveland Foundation Grants Gateway.  

Click here for more information on eligibility, the application and scoring process, opportunities for applicant support, and other pertinent information. For more information or to donate to the Cleveland Black Futures Fund, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/Futures.