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Burton D. Morgan Foundation

Burton D. Morgan Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Limited capacity for new requests
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Northeast Ohio (6 counties)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1967 by entrepreneur Burton D. Morgan, the Burton D. Morgan Foundation is dedicated to strengthening free enterprise by investing in people and entities that embody the entrepreneurial spirit. The foundation focuses on advancing entrepreneurship and innovation throughout Northeast Ohio, particularly in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Summit, Stark, Portage, and Mahoning counties. Their mission centers on building competencies in entrepreneurship and innovation by providing resources, education, and financial support to entrepreneurs across different stages of business development, with particular emphasis on second-stage companies with revenues between $1-50 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates several key initiatives:

  • NEOLaunchNET: Supporting entrepreneurship networks
  • Morgan Startup Grants: Funding for early-stage ventures (through partners)
  • BASE Roundtables: Business acceleration programs
  • Scalerator: Supporting growth-stage companies
  • YIPPEE Exchange: Youth entrepreneurship education platform

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four strategic priorities (2024-2026):

  1. Free Enterprise - Promoting entrepreneurial ecosystems
  2. Entrepreneurship Education - Supporting educational programs at all levels
  3. Second Stage Businesses - Companies with $1-50 million in revenue
  4. Funding Entrepreneurs - Direct and indirect support for entrepreneurs

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual grants or startup ventures
  • Youth entrepreneurship education projects (now handled exclusively through YIPPEE)
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
  • Projects outside their geographic focus area

Governance and Leadership

Sarah Shaw serves as Grants & Data Administrator and is the primary contact for grant inquiries. The foundation was established by Burton D. Morgan, an entrepreneur who built his success in free enterprise.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation employs a largely proactive grantmaking approach with limited capacity for new grant requests each year. Organizations must:

  1. Review the foundation's strategic plan and priorities
  2. Complete an online grant interest form via the GoApply portal
  3. Current grantees should contact their program officer directly

Program Officers collaborate with applicants throughout the grant review process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified, though the foundation indicates they work collaboratively with applicants throughout the review process.

Success Rates

The foundation notes they have "limited capacity for new grant requests each year," suggesting a competitive process with low acceptance rates for unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's proactive approach to grantmaking, success factors include:

  • Strong alignment with one of the four strategic priorities
  • Demonstrated impact on entrepreneurship ecosystem in Northeast Ohio
  • Focus on second-stage business support ($1-50M revenue companies)
  • Established 501(c)(3) status
  • Location within the six-county service area

The foundation emphasizes collaborative relationships with grantees and appears to favor organizations they can work with closely over time rather than one-off grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation operates primarily through proactive grantmaking, meaning they identify and approach organizations rather than accepting many unsolicited applications
  • Focus must be on entrepreneurship and free enterprise - general nonprofit causes are not funded
  • Geographic restrictions are strict - must serve Northeast Ohio counties
  • Youth entrepreneurship projects must go through YIPPEE, not direct applications
  • Building a relationship with program officers is crucial given the collaborative approach
  • Second-stage businesses ($1-50M revenue) appear to be a particular priority
  • The foundation does not fund individuals or startup ventures directly

References

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