The Cleveland Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $157+ million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (estimated 15-30% based on industry standards)
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks for grants under $200,000; 8-12 weeks for grants over $200,000
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $2,400,000
• Geographic Focus: Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties in Greater Cleveland, Ohio

Contact Details

General Contact:

• Website: https://www.clevelandfoundation.org
• Email: hello@clevefdn.org
• Phone: (216) 861-3810
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
• Address: 6601 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103

Media Inquiries:

• Allison Baker, Director of Communications
• Email: abaker@clevefdn.org

Application Portal:

• Grants Gateway: Accessible through the Cleveland Foundation website

Overview

Established on January 2, 1914, by Frederick Harris Goff, The Cleveland Foundation is the world's first community foundation and remains one of the largest today with assets of approximately $2.5-3.2 billion. Founded to eliminate the "dead hand" of outdated philanthropic wills, the foundation has grown from initial pledges of $40,000 to distributing over $157 million annually across 964 grants (2023 data). The foundation serves residents of Greater Cleveland, specifically Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties. Under the leadership of President & CEO Lillian Kuri—the first woman to hold this position in the foundation's 110-year history—the Cleveland Foundation has adopted an interdisciplinary, place-based approach to grantmaking. The organization maintains over $770 million in mission-related investments focused on local job creation, real estate improvement, business startups, sustainable energy, equitable financial services, healthcare, and biotechnology. The Chronicle of Philanthropy recognized the creation of the Cleveland Foundation as one of 10 seminal events that shaped the nonprofit world in the 20th century, inspiring over 1,700 community foundations worldwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Cleveland Foundation does not have predetermined funding levels or fixed grant programs. Instead, they accept applications year-round on a rolling basis with four scheduled deadlines:

• March 31 (11:59 PM ET)
• June 30 (11:59 PM ET)
• September 15 (11:59 PM ET)
• December 31 (11:59 PM ET)

Recent Grant Examples (2024):

• Large Grants: $2,400,000 (Famicos Foundation - housing), $1,800,000 (Cleveland Neighborhood Progress)
• Medium Grants: $325,000 (Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio), $185,000 (College Now Greater Cleveland)
• Small Grants: $100,000 (Cleveland International Film Festival), $75,000 (The Music Settlement), $30,000 (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

Decision Timeline by Grant Size:

• Grants under $200,000: Decisions made monthly
• Grants over $200,000: Decisions made quarterly

Priority Areas

The Cleveland Foundation focuses on six core areas, with two-thirds of flexible grant dollars supporting these priorities:

1. Economic Development

   • Shared economic development strategy to drive growth and investment
   • Positioning Cleveland as a business location and expansion destination
   • Workforce development and talent growth
   • Site readiness ($50 million fund for vacant property assembly and remediation)
   • Support for business startups and expansion

2. Education

   • K-12 education initiatives
   • College access and completion programs
   • Educational equity and opportunity
   • Music and arts education

3. Neighborhoods

   • Comprehensive planning in historically underinvested neighborhoods
   • Quality, diverse housing development
   • Anti-displacement and cultural legacy preservation
   • Neighborhood leadership development
   • Community Development Corporations (CDCs)
   • Resident wealth-building initiatives

4. Arts and Culture

   • Museums and cultural institutions
   • Film and media arts
   • Music organizations
   • Public art and cultural programming

5. Youth Development

   • Youth programming and services
   • Out-of-school time activities
   • Leadership development for young people

6. Environment

   • Sustainability initiatives
   • Green infrastructure
   • Environmental justice

Additional Focus: The remaining one-third of grantmaking dollars respond to direct community requests outside these priority areas, supporting a broad range of social services, health, and community needs.

What They Don't Fund

Based on available information, The Cleveland Foundation generally does not fund:

• Project expenses already incurred: Applicants must submit requests well in advance of project start dates
• Hate groups: Organizations designated as hate groups under the foundation's anti-hate group policy are explicitly excluded
• For-profit organizations: Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or equivalent tax-exempt organization

Note: Capital projects are accepted based on current policy. For a complete list of funding exclusions, applicants should consult the foundation's Grants Gateway portal and grant guidelines.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

President & CEO: Lillian Kuri (appointed August 1, 2023) is the first woman to hold the position of President & CEO in the foundation's 109-year history. She succeeded Ronn Richard, who retired after a 20-year tenure. Kuri leads the foundation's strategic direction toward more interdisciplinary, place-based grantmaking that focuses on how different sectors work together toward comprehensive community impact.

Board Leadership:

• Board Chair: Randell McShepard (appointed 2025), Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Talent Officer at RPM International Inc. McShepard has served as a board member since 2021.
• Vice Chair: Stovsky (appointed alongside McShepard), board member since 2020
• Former Chair: Constance Hill-Johnson oversaw Kuri's transition to CEO in 2023

Historical Context

The Cleveland Foundation has been led by 10 CEOs throughout its history, beginning with founder Frederick Harris Goff in 1914. Goff, a well-known lawyer and banker at the Cleveland Trust Company, revolutionized philanthropy by creating a flexible, community-responsive alternative to rigid charitable trusts.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Registration:

• All applicants must register in the Cleveland Foundation's Grants Gateway portal
• Organizations should complete registration at least two weeks before any deadline
• Keep your organizational profile updated regularly, as foundation staff review profiles when working with donor funds

Application Submission:

• The standard grant application is accessible year-round
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• No pre-application meeting required—the submitted application serves as your introduction
• Submit requests well in advance of project start dates

Application Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or equivalent
• Service area must be in Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga counties
• Detailed project description and budget
• Request amount should reflect actual project needs and organizational capacity

Decision Timeline

Under $200,000: Monthly decision-making Over $200,000: Quarterly decision-making

Typical Timeline:

• After submission, initial review typically occurs within a few weeks
• If the project fits guidelines, applicants may be asked to submit a full application
• Applicants can track submission status through the Grants Gateway "My Applications" tab
• Contact the grants management team for status updates

Four Annual Deadlines:

• March 31 (11:59 PM ET)
• June 30 (11:59 PM ET)
• September 15 (11:59 PM ET)
• December 31 (11:59 PM ET)

Success Rates

The Cleveland Foundation does not publicly disclose its grant approval success rate or percentage of applications funded. Based on 2023 data, the foundation made 964 grant awards totaling $157,358,428.

Industry Context: Large foundations like the Cleveland Foundation (those funding more than $10 million annually) typically fund between 15-30% of applicants, meaning approximately 1 in 3 to 1 in 7 proposals are successful. However, success rates vary widely depending on alignment with priorities, geographic focus, and application quality.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should contact the grants management team directly to inquire about reapplication timelines and any restrictions.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Foundation

Request Appropriate Amounts: The foundation emphasizes that "applicants should request the amount that meets the needs of their program and aligns best with their organization's capacity and other anticipated or received support." There are no predetermined funding levels, so organizations should be realistic and specific about actual project costs.

Pre-Application Meeting Not Required: The foundation explicitly states it is "not necessary to meet with a staff member before applying," encouraging organizations to let their application speak for itself. However, the foundation is accessible for questions through their grants management team.

Timing is Critical: "Submit your request well in advance of your project's start date" because "the Foundation cannot fund project expenses that have already been incurred." Build in adequate lead time for the review process.

Proposal Writing Assistance: The Cleveland Foundation does not provide direct assistance with writing proposals but recommends contacting Candid (formerly Foundation Center), which offers workshops on proposal writing.

Projects Recently Funded

Education & Youth Development:

• College Now Greater Cleveland Inc. ($185,000) - college access
• Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio ($325,000) - educational support
• Cleveland Music School Settlement ($75,000) - arts education

Housing & Community Development:

• Famicos Foundation ($2,400,000) - housing initiatives
• Cleveland Neighborhood Progress ($1,800,000) - comprehensive neighborhood investment
• Project Hope for the Homeless ($78,249) - homelessness services

Arts & Culture:

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum ($30,000) - cultural institution
• Cleveland International Film Festival ($100,000) - film arts
• Greater Cleveland Film Commission ($60,000) - media arts

Social Services:

• Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association ($100,000) - community services
• Hospice of the Western Reserve ($30,000) - end-of-life care

Special Initiatives (2024):

• $3 million to endow the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund
• Partnership with Cleveland VOTES and Greater Cleveland RTA to cover all public transit fares on Election Day

Language and Terminology

The foundation uses place-based, systems-change language:

• "Interdisciplinary approach"
• "Place-based lens"
• "Community-responsive grantmaking"
• "Mission-related investments"
• "Anti-displacement"
• "Resident wealth-building"
• "Neighborhood vibrancy"
• "Economic competitiveness"

Tips for Standing Out

1. Demonstrate Community Impact: Show how your project serves residents in Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga counties with measurable outcomes

2. Align with Place-Based Priorities: Connect your work to the foundation's focus on how different sectors work together—education, economic development, housing, and community health

3. Show Organizational Capacity: The foundation wants to see that grant amounts align with your organization's capacity and other funding sources

4. Address Systemic Issues: Projects that tackle root causes rather than just symptoms tend to align with the foundation's strategic approach

5. Include Equity Considerations: Demonstrate awareness of historically underinvested communities, anti-displacement strategies, and wealth-building opportunities for residents

6. Be Specific About Geographic Impact: Clearly articulate which neighborhoods or counties you serve within the foundation's footprint

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No predetermined funding levels: Request what you actually need ($2,500 to $2.4 million range demonstrated). The foundation values realistic budgeting over fitting artificial categories.

• Rolling basis with strategic deadlines: While applications are accepted year-round, plan for four annual deadlines (March 31, June 30, September 15, December 31). Decision timelines differ by grant size—monthly for under $200K, quarterly for over $200K.

• Two-thirds strategic, one-third responsive: The foundation allocates 67% of flexible dollars to six priority areas (economic development, education, neighborhoods, arts & culture, youth development, environment) and 33% to community-responsive requests. Both pathways are viable.

• Place-based, interdisciplinary focus: Under CEO Lillian Kuri's leadership, the foundation emphasizes how sectors work together. Show connections between your work and broader community systems rather than operating in a silo.

• No pre-application meeting required: Your written application is your introduction. Focus energy on a clear, compelling narrative rather than relationship-building meetings. However, the grants team is accessible for questions.

• Geographic specificity matters: Serving Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga counties is essential. Be explicit about neighborhood impact and community connections within this footprint.

• Lead time is essential: The foundation cannot fund expenses already incurred. Submit well in advance of project start dates—at minimum, allow 4-8 weeks for grants under $200K and 8-12 weeks for larger requests.

References

1. The Cleveland Foundation Official Website - Grants Overview https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/grants/overview Accessed: November 2025

2. The Cleveland Foundation - Grantmaking FAQs https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/grants/grantmaking-faqs/ Accessed: November 2025

3. The Cleveland Foundation - Apply for a Grant https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant Accessed: November 2025

4. The Cleveland Foundation - Board & Staff https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/about/board-of-directors/ Accessed: November 2025

5. The Cleveland Foundation - Our Priorities/Impact Agenda https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/about-us/impact-agenda Accessed: November 2025

6. "Cleveland Foundation Authorizes $38.5 Million in Grantmaking for First Half of 2024" https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/news_items/cleveland-foundation-authorizes-38-5-million-in-grantmaking-for-first-half-of-2024/ Published: 2024

7. "Cleveland Foundation Authorizes $7 million in grantmaking for Q3 2024" https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/news_items/cleveland-foundation-authorizes-7-million-in-grantmaking-for-q3-2024/ Published: 2024

8. "Lillian Kuri named president & CEO by the Cleveland Foundation Board of Directors" https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/news_items/lillian-kuri-named-president-ceo/ Published: 2023

9. Cleveland Foundation - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Foundation Accessed: November 2025

10. CLEVELAND FOUNDATION - Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Case Western Reserve University https://case.edu/ech/articles/c/cleveland-foundation Accessed: November 2025

11. Cleveland Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN: 34-0714588) https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/340714588 Accessed: November 2025

12. Cleveland Foundation - Charity Navigator Profile https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/340714588 Accessed: November 2025

13. "Cleveland Foundation names new board chairperson, vice chair" - Crain's Cleveland Business https://www.crainscleveland.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/cleveland-foundation-names-randell-mcshepard-chairperson Published: 2025

14. Cleveland Foundation - Inside Philanthropy Profile https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/ohio-grants/cleveland-foundation Accessed: November 2025

15. The Cleveland Foundation Timeline - Centennial Website https://www.clevelandfoundation100.org/timeline/ Accessed: November 2025