Cleveland Foundation grantmaking tops $100 million for second consecutive year

Board approves $12.3 million in December grants for Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga nonprofits

Release Date: 12.18.2018

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Foundation’s board of directors today approved $12.3 million in grants for the month of December. Supporting residents of Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties, the foundation and its donors have invested $28.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 and $100.2 million for the year to date.

“This month’s grants emphasize the importance of providing crucial services and opportunities for our youth and marginalized residents,” said India Pierce Lee, Cleveland Foundation senior vice president for program. “As the year comes to a close, we’re grateful to be able to support so many wonderful organizations that are making such a difference in Greater Cleveland.”

This marks the second consecutive year in which the foundation has granted out more than $100 million, with last year’s $101 million being the highest single-year distribution since the foundation was established in 1914.

Highlights of December grants approved by the foundation’s Board of Directors include:

Health

  • Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals ($1,000,000) – Supports the establishment of a transatlantic affiliation with a leading European university to establish a global Center of Excellence for rare disease and new medicines
  • Centers for Families and Children ($1,000,000) – Assist with the continued transition to managed health care for the organization which provides comprehensive integrated care and programming for more than 25,000 individuals, including many living with mental illness

Education

  • Cleveland State University Foundation ($159,000) – Support for year four of the Cleveland Foundation Teaching Fellows Program, a paid internship program in partnership with Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) that is modeled after other highly successful urban teacher residency programs across the country
  • Esperanza Inc. ($400,000) – Academic support and family resources for Hispanic students in CMSD, including an expansion of services in the wake of a significant increase of families from Puerto Rico
  • Seeds of Literacy ($300,000) – General funding to assist with current operations for Ohio’s only nationally-accredited adult literacy agency, as well as long-term planning in response to recent changes in federal and state funding
  • Teach for America ($400,000) – Continued support to assist with recruitment and training of incoming teachers, professional development and support for current members, and leadership development, placement and retention of alumni

Youth & Social Services

  • After School All Stars Cleveland ($132,770) – Expand year-round, school-based, comprehensive after-school programs for Marion Sterling Elementary School, which will be located in Cleveland Municipal Housing Authority’s Olde Cedar housing and conducted in partnership with Cuyahoga Community College
  • West Side Catholic Center ($190,000) – Support construction of an elevator at the organization’s Economic Opportunities building, which will provide for the expansion of workforce development services and ensure that all clients have access to program spaces
  • Youth Opportunities Unlimited ($350,000) – Continued support for the organization’s youth and young adult workforce programming and initiatives, including new partnerships with Boys and Girls Clubs and Habitat for Humanity

Environment

  • Nature Center at Shaker Lakes ($300,000) – Support the renovation of the 35-year-old All People’s Trail boardwalk, including improved ADA accessibility, a link to the Lake to Lake Trail and a new trailhead entrance; the grant also enhances educational programming and interactive viewing areas

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