The George Gund Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: ~$40-45 million
Total Assets: ~$540-600 million
Grant Range: $10,000 - $300,000 (typical)
Decision Time: Approximately 8-12 weeks after deadline (3 board meetings per year)
Geographic Focus: Greater Cleveland, with some state and national policy work
Application Method: Online portal with fixed deadlines (March 15, July 15, November 15)

Contact Details

Website: gundfoundation.org
Phone: (216) 241-6560 or (216) 241-3114 (grant inquiries)
Email: info@gundfdn.org
Address: Cleveland, Ohio

Overview

The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund, former chair of the Cleveland Trust Company, with the sole purpose of contributing to human well-being and the progress of society. With assets exceeding $540 million, it is the second-largest private foundation in Cleveland. Since its founding, the Foundation has made total grant commitments exceeding $945 million. The Foundation makes approximately $40-45 million in grants annually through three board meetings per year.

The Foundation operates from a "What We Believe" statement that commits to addressing three interrelated central challenges: climate change and environmental degradation; entrenched and accelerating inequality, especially racial inequity; and weakened democracy. While deeply rooted in Cleveland, the Foundation believes that thriving cities represent one of the nation's best hopes for addressing essential issues and invests locally with an eye toward building community—locally, nationally, and globally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation makes grants in six program areas:

Climate and Environmental Justice: Addressing climate change and environmental degradation with emphasis on the Paris climate goals
Creative Culture and Arts: Supporting arts and cultural programming
Democracy Building: Nonpartisan civic engagement and protecting democratic institutions
Public Education: Primary focus on the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and creating high-quality schools
Thriving Families and Social Justice: Early childhood, human services, reproductive health, criminal justice reform
Vibrant Neighborhoods and Inclusive Economy: Economic development, community revitalization, neighborhood development

Capital Grants: Limited to projects seeking LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council

Program-Related Investments (PRIs): Available for organizations with strong track records; can take the form of loans, equity investments, linked deposits, and loan guarantees

Priority Areas

Pilot projects and innovative programs with prospects for broad replication
Education projects emphasizing new concepts and methods of teaching
Programs advancing economic revitalization and job creation
Neighborhood development projects
Projects improving human services, employment opportunities, and housing for minority and low-income groups
Work addressing racial equity and systemic inequities
Nonpartisan democracy-building efforts

What They Don't Fund

Grants to individuals
Buildings, endowments, equipment, or renovation (unless project seeks LEED certification)
Organizations outside Greater Cleveland (with limited exceptions for state/national policy work)
Non-501(c)(3) organizations (government units and agencies are eligible)

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair

Catherine Gund – Chair of the Board since 2019, granddaughter of founder George Gund II. She is the founder of Aubin Pictures, a nonprofit documentary film company focused on social justice issues. She serves on the boards of Art for Justice, Art Matters, and Baldwin for the Arts, and co-founded the Third Wave Foundation.

President

Anthony Richardson – Became president in 2022. A Lorain native, he previously served as executive director of The Nord Family Foundation. His personal history includes overcoming childhood homelessness and poverty, earning degrees from Oberlin College and Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law. He was elected as a councilmember-at-large in Lorain in 2011, where he sponsored legislation to increase hiring goals for racial minorities and women.

Key Quote from Anthony Richardson: "My personal and professional values align perfectly with the Gund Foundation's values. I'm extremely proud to be joining a foundation that is committed to tackling climate change, understanding and unraveling systemic racism, and supporting those who are fighting to fulfill the promise of democracy."

Key Program Staff

Marcia Egbert – Program Director, Thriving Families and Social Justice (joined 1998)
John Mitterholzer – Program Director, Climate and Environmental Justice (joined 2008)
Cynthia Gasparro – Grants Management
Donovan Young – Program Officer (joined June 2024)

Board of Trustees

The board consists of eight members, including five Gund family members and three Cleveland trustees (currently Marvin Hayes, Nancy Mendez, and Margaret Bernstein). Cleveland trustees can serve two three-year terms.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through the online application portal at gundfoundation.org.

Note: The online application portal was updated in July 2025 and requires all applicants to create a new login.

Application Deadlines

March 15 – For summer board meeting
July 15 – For fall board meeting
November 15 – For winter-spring board meeting

Proposals are not guaranteed for consideration at the corresponding meeting but are typically reviewed at the next scheduled meeting.

Required Materials

Organization's IRS status and legal name
History, mission, and current organizational issues
Types of programs offered and constituencies served
Justification of need with specific goals and objectives
Activities planned to meet goals and project timeline
Qualifications of key personnel
Methods of evaluation
Anticipated expenses with details on how Foundation funds would be used
Anticipated income including other funding sources
Previous and current year budget
Proposed budget for project year(s)
List of current trustees
Most recent audited financial statement (if available)
Climate Change Statement (required for all applications)

Decision Timeline

Trustees meet three times per year following deadlines. After submitting an application, applicants receive:

An email verifying proposal submission
A follow-up email once the grants team has updated the proposal to their database

For questions about applications, contact the Foundation at (216) 241-3114.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements

Climate Change Statement: All proposals must include a brief explanation of what the organization is doing or considering to reduce or eliminate its impact on climate change. This is a mandatory field.

Alignment with "What We Believe": The Foundation emphasizes that applicants must be prepared to discuss the relationship between their work and:

Climate change
Inequality and racial equity
Threats to democracy

Key Quote from the Foundation: The George Gund Foundation seeks to let "organizations know they have a place where they have a voice."

Recent Grant Examples (2024)

Cleveland State University: $2.75 million for Living Learning Community supporting CMSD Say Yes scholarship recipients
Urban League of Greater Cleveland: $900,000 over three years
Young Latino Network: $500,000
College Now Greater Cleveland: $150,000 (two grants for higher education partnerships)
Magnolia Clubhouse: $100,000 for Care Response pilot program
Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition: $45,000

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Innovative and replicable approaches: The Foundation gives preference to pilot projects and innovative programs with prospects for broad replication
Clear connection to core challenges: Demonstrate how your work addresses climate change, racial inequity, or democracy
Local impact with broader implications: While focused on Cleveland, the Foundation values work that can benefit people everywhere
LEED commitment for capital projects: Capital grants require commitment to LEED certification
Strong organizational track record: Particularly important for program-related investments

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic focus is essential: The Foundation is deeply place-based in Greater Cleveland. Organizations outside the region are generally not eligible unless their work directly impacts Cleveland through state/national policy.
Complete the climate change statement thoughtfully: This is a required field and demonstrates alignment with Foundation values. Be specific about what your organization is doing to address its environmental impact.
Connect to the "What We Believe" framework: Successful proposals explicitly link their work to one or more of the three central challenges: climate change, racial equity, and democracy.
Submit well before deadlines: Missing required documents delays consideration. Review all requirements and have materials ready before starting the online application.
Consider multi-year funding: The Foundation frequently makes multi-year grants (e.g., the $900,000 three-year grant to Urban League of Greater Cleveland).
Emphasize innovation and replicability: The Foundation prioritizes pilot projects that can be replicated elsewhere.
Contact staff with questions: The grants team is accessible at (216) 241-3114 and welcomes inquiries about grant procedures.

References

Accessed December 2025