Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation Inc.

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,789,797 (2023)
• Total Assets: $66.6 million
• Number of Grants: 231 awards (2023)
• Grant Range: Estimated $5,000 - $25,000+ (based on available data)
• Geographic Focus: New York City (primarily), with select international organizations
• Decision Timeline: Bi-annual board meetings (June and November)
• Application Method: Rolling letters of inquiry

Contact Details

Address: New York, NY
Phone: (212) 972-2800
Email: connect@chdodgefoundation.org
Website: https://www.chdodgefoundation.org

Overview

The Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation was established on April 20, 1917, by Cleveland H. Dodge with an initial endowment of $5 million derived from World War I-era profits, which Dodge directed toward "the betterment of mankind" rather than personal gain. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership under President William D. Rueckert (great-grandson of the founder) and Executive Director Sarah Barnett, the foundation holds assets of approximately $66.6 million and distributes around $2.8 million annually through approximately 231 grants. The foundation's mission is to equip under-resourced youth and their communities with the services and skills to promote life-long achievement and overcome social inequities. In recent years, the foundation has increasingly focused on capacity-building grants for community-based organizations in New York City, particularly those providing educational programs, early childhood services, and after-school programs. The foundation was honored as the 2025 Children's Aid Benefit honoree, recognizing over a century of partnership.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with rolling letters of inquiry accepted throughout the year:

General Grant Program: Supports NYC-based organizations focused on education and youth development

• Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to $25,000+ based on limited publicly available examples
• Board reviews proposals at biannual meetings (June and November)
• Decisions announced after each board meeting

Priority Areas

The foundation invests in three primary program areas:

1. Community Services

• Community-based programs for young people in disadvantaged NYC neighborhoods
• Nursery programs
• After-school academic and recreational activities
• Summer camps
• Youth skill-building and peer relationship programs

2. Early Childhood Programs

• Programs developing children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs
• Professional development for early childhood teachers
• Classroom capacity development
• Family support services

3. Foundation Legacy Organizations

• Long-standing organizations with historical connections to the Dodge family
• Includes international organizations, particularly in the Near East region
• American University of Beirut and Near East Foundation (continuing founder's original priorities)

As the foundation states: "The Foundation supports programs that advance both opportunity and equity in vulnerable communities."

What They Don't Fund

• Direct grants to individuals
• Endowment funding
• Hospitals or medical research
• Universities or independent schools (except in rare circumstances)
• Organizations outside the New York City metropolitan area (with rare exceptions for legacy organizations)
• The foundation notes: "The Foundation only considers grant requests outside of these guidelines to organizations that have been supported by the Foundation or the Dodge family over many years"

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• William D. Rueckert - President (25 years in role, great-grandson of founder)
• Johnson Garrett - Vice-President
• Louis E. Black, Esq. - Secretary
• Catherine Olmsted Kerr - Treasurer
• Katharine H. Cronin - Board Member
• Eric H. Howell - Board Member
• Charlotte S. Lenzner - Board Member
• Colin P. Mackintosh - Board Member
• Matthew C. Mole - Board Member
• Cleveland D. Rueckert - Board Member

Emeritus/Emerita Members

• Sally Dodge
• Bolling W. Haxall, Jr.
• Alfred H. Howell, Jr.
• Ingrid R. Warren

Staff

• Sarah Barnett - Executive Director

Leadership Philosophy

The foundation operates under family leadership committed to the founder's vision. As stated on their website: "We believe that transformative education increases the capacity of our youth and provides life options for those who have been historically underserved."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications through a two-stage process:

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

• Submit a brief letter of inquiry (maximum 3 pages) via email to: connect@chdodgefoundation.org
• Letters of inquiry accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
• Must include organization and program budgets
• Use the Philanthropy New York Common Application Form format

Stage 2: Full Proposal (by invitation only)

• If the proposal aligns with foundation interests, applicants will be contacted with a request for a formal grant submission
• Additional materials may be requested at this stage

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) organization
• Located in New York City metropolitan area
• Focus on education and community services for under-resourced youth

Decision Timeline

• Board Meetings: Twice annually in June and November
• Grant Decisions: Announced after each board meeting
• Timeline: Letters of inquiry can be submitted anytime; the foundation reviews submissions on a rolling basis and invites selected organizations to submit full proposals for consideration at upcoming board meetings

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the foundation made 231 grants in 2023 from total charitable disbursements of $3,518,341. The foundation operates as a relatively selective funder, particularly for new organizations, as it maintains strong relationships with legacy organizations and favors organizations with which it has established connections.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications should demonstrate:

1. Alignment with Core Mission

• Clear focus on "equipping under-resourced youth and their communities with the services and skills to promote life-long achievement and overcome social inequities"
• Programs that "advance both opportunity and equity in vulnerable communities"

2. Emphasis on Education

• The foundation's primary focus is on "transformative education" that "increases the capacity of our youth and provides life options for those who have been historically underserved"
• Professional development components for teachers and staff
• Evidence-based educational approaches
• Programs supporting kindergarten readiness and academic achievement

3. Capacity-Building Focus

• The foundation particularly values investments in organizational capacity
• Projects strengthening institutional infrastructure
• Initiatives that build sustainable long-term impact

4. NYC Geographic Focus

• Strong preference for organizations serving New York City's disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Clear demonstration of community need and organizational presence in target communities

5. Examples of Recently Funded Projects

• Full STEAM Forward: $15,000 grant for STEAM education programs in Brooklyn (2024)
• Children's Aid: Nursery program teacher coaching and professional development
• East Harlem Tutorial Program: New high school construction
• Madison Square Boys & Girls Club: After-school program support

6. Relationship Building

• The foundation values long-term partnerships (as evidenced by 100+ year relationship with Children's Aid)
• First-time applicants should demonstrate how they align with existing foundation priorities
• Organizations with historical connections to the Dodge family receive consideration outside normal guidelines

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on transformative education: Applications should emphasize how programs provide "life options for those who have been historically underserved" and advance both opportunity and equity
• Capacity-building is key: The foundation prioritizes grants that strengthen organizational infrastructure, not just programmatic support
• NYC focus is critical: Unless you're a legacy organization with historical Dodge family connections, you must serve New York City communities
• Professional development matters: Programs incorporating teacher training and staff development align well with foundation priorities
• Start with a concise LOI: Keep your initial letter of inquiry to 3 pages maximum and include budgets from the start
• Think long-term partnership: The foundation values sustained relationships (e.g., 100+ years with Children's Aid), so demonstrate commitment to the communities you serve
• Early childhood and after-school are sweet spots: These two program areas receive significant foundation attention and funding

References

1. Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation Official Website - https://www.chdodgefoundation.org - Accessed January 2026
2. Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation "For Grant Seekers" page - https://www.chdodgefoundation.org/for-grant-seekers - Accessed January 2026
3. Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation "Our Focus" page - https://www.chdodgefoundation.org/our-focus - Accessed January 2026
4. Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation "Leadership" page - https://www.chdodgefoundation.org/who-we-are/leadership - Accessed January 2026
5. Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation "History" page - https://www.chdodgefoundation.org/who-we-are/history - Accessed January 2026
6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Cleveland H Dodge Foundation Inc (EIN: 136015087) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136015087 - Accessed January 2026
7. Children's Aid - "2025 Children's Aid Benefit Honoree: Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation" - https://www.childrensaidnyc.org/2025-childrens-aid-benefit-honoree-cleveland-h-dodge-foundation - Accessed January 2026
8. PR Newswire - "Full STEAM Forward Receives $15,000 Grant from Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation" - August 2024
9. GuideStar Profile - Cleveland H Dodge Foundation Inc - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-6015087 - Accessed January 2026
10. Cause IQ - Cleveland H Dodge Foundation - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cleveland-h-dodge-foundation,136015087/ - Accessed January 2026