Cleveland Avenue Fund

Note: Limited Public Information Available

This overview is based on limited publicly available financial data. The Cleveland Avenue Fund appears to be a private grant-making entity without an active public website or public application process. It may be affiliated with the Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education founded by Don and Liz Thompson.

Quick Stats

• EIN: 83-2871250
• Location: Houston, TX
• Total Assets: $42,793,817 (2021)
• Grants Paid: $840,000 (2021)
• Annual Revenue: $1,835,618 (2021)
• Type: Private Foundation (likely)
• Geographic Focus: Unknown
• Application Process: No public application process identified

Contact Details

No public contact information, website, or office details are available for this specific entity.

Related Organization: The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group (The CAFE Group)

• Website: www.thecafe.org
• Address: 222 N Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606-1206
• Phone: 312-383-6681
• EIN: 85-3906899

Overview

Cleveland Avenue Fund (EIN: 83-2871250) is a private grant-making entity registered in Houston, Texas. Based on 2021 financial data, the organization distributed $840,000 in grants and maintains substantial assets of approximately $42.8 million.

The organization appears to be affiliated with the broader Cleveland Avenue philanthropic ecosystem founded by Don and Liz Thompson in Chicago. Don Thompson is the former CEO of McDonald's Corporation, and together with his wife Liz, they have established multiple entities focused on education equity and supporting Black leaders in education and business.

While this Houston entity shows active grant-making based on its financial filings, it does not appear to have a public-facing website, application process, or published guidelines. This suggests it may operate as a private foundation or supporting organization that makes grants through trustee discretion rather than open solicitation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Based on the limited public information available, specific grant programs and funding priorities for the Cleveland Avenue Fund (Houston entity) have not been publicly disclosed.

Related Organization - The CAFE Group / 1954 Project

The Chicago-based Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group, which may be affiliated with this Houston entity, operates the 1954 Project, which provides:

• Luminary Awards: $1 million unrestricted grants to Black leaders in education
• Focus on educational equity and leadership development
• Support for organizations led by people with lived experience in the communities they serve

Priority Areas (Based on Related Organizations)

• Educational equity and innovation
• Black leadership development in education
• Supporting diverse leaders in philanthropy and nonprofit sectors
• Economic mobility pathways through education

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly disclosed for the Houston entity.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership information for the Cleveland Avenue Fund (EIN: 83-2871250) is not publicly available.

Related Organizations Leadership:

The Cleveland Avenue Foundation ecosystem was founded by:

• Don Thompson: Former President and CEO of McDonald's Corporation (2012-2015), founder of Cleveland Avenue LLC (venture capital firm)
• Liz Thompson: President of The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group, former Executive Director of City Year Chicago, electrical engineer by training

The CAFE Group leadership includes:

• Elizabeth Thompson, President
• Tiffany Thompson, Chief Impact Officer
• Jennifer Wander, CFO
• Lindsay Booker, Chief Communications Officer
• Rebecca Quincey, Director of Strategy

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Cleveland Avenue Fund (Houston entity) does not maintain a public website, published application guidelines, or open grant solicitation process. This suggests that grants are awarded through:

• Trustee or board discretion
• Invitation only
• Pre-existing relationships with the Thompson family or affiliated organizations
• Strategic initiatives identified internally

Organizations interested in funding from the Cleveland Avenue philanthropic ecosystem may wish to research the publicly accessible programs offered by the related Chicago-based Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group, including the 1954 Project.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the private nature of this Houston entity and lack of public information, there are no documented specific strategies for getting on their radar.

For the related Chicago-based Cleveland Avenue Foundation programs:

• The 1954 Project operates a competitive application process for Black education leaders
• The CAFE Group's board includes individuals connected to the education and philanthropic sectors in Chicago
• Don and Liz Thompson are active in Chicago's philanthropic community and national education equity discussions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application: The Cleveland Avenue Fund (Houston) does not accept unsolicited applications based on available information
• Private Operation: This appears to be a private foundation or supporting organization operating without public-facing programs
• Substantial Resources: With over $42 million in assets and $840,000 in grants paid annually, this is a significant grant-maker
• Possible Affiliation: The entity may be connected to the broader Cleveland Avenue Foundation ecosystem focused on education equity
• Limited Transparency: Minimal public information is available about decision-making processes, funding priorities, or recipients
• Related Opportunities: Grant writers interested in supporting Black leaders in education may find more accessible opportunities through the Chicago-based CAFE Group's 1954 Project
• Private Foundation Characteristics: The lack of public presence suggests this may function similarly to a family foundation with specific strategic interests determined by trustees

References

• CauseIQ Organization Profile: Cleveland Avenue Fund (EIN: 83-2871250), https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cleveland-avenue-fund,832871250/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Cleveland Avenue Foundation For Education Group (EIN: 85-3906899), https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/853906899 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• Charity Navigator: Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group, https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/853906899 (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• The CAFE Group Website: www.thecafe.org (Accessed February 10, 2026)
• MacArthur Foundation Grantee Profile: Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group, https://www.macfound.org/grantee/the-cleveland-avenue-education-group-10115501/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)