Cleveland Foundation

The Cleveland Foundation, established in 1914, is the world's first community foundation and ranks as the third-largest in the United States, managing assets of $1.8 billion. As a non-profit organization based in Greater Cleveland, it is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for local residents. The foundation collaborates with donors, community members, and various partners to improve neighborhoods and public spaces. Its investment portfolio is diversified across multiple asset classes, including short-term investments, U.S. government obligations, bonds, stocks, mutual funds, and alternative investments. Through its initiatives and investments, the Cleveland Foundation aims to foster community development and address pressing local needs.

Anthony Gattuso

Director, Investments and Treasury

Rosanne Potter

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ronald Richard

President and Chief Executive Officer

Past deals in Ohio

New Life Community Development Corp. create communities that are conducive to sustainable economic growth where the dollar circulates through the community multiple times with residents having increased levels of educational attainment, home ownership, business ownership, and increased levels of health and fitness.

Organic Connects

Grant in 2022
Organic Connects incorporates Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion into every aspect of the work that we do.

Bessie’s Angels

Grant in 2022
Bessie’s Angels is a nonprofit organization, with a mission to nurture, empower, educate and to provide low-income housing to young women touched by the foster care system.

Life Exchange Center

Grant in 2022
Life Exchange Center is an ODMHAS consumer-operated peer support drop-in centre. They support People in recovery helping people in recovery.

Broken Connections

Grant in 2022
Broken Connections is a community based, non-profit organization providing shelter, food, clothing, and supportive services to needy individuals and families.
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to celebration, preservation, promotion and advancement of African American arts, culture and cinema.
Contractors Assistance Association is to strengthen contracting, education and employment opportunities among minorities and women in construction.
Sevynteenth Foundation provides day full of activities hosted by some of the most amazing mentors in Cleveland.
Mojuba! Dance Collective promotes cultural awareness, collective wellness, and the restoration of community.
Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists provides support, inspiration, fellowship and opportunities for journalists of color.
Strengthening Our Students enrich the lives of children and families through innovative, educational and life skill programs.

Project LIFT Services

Grant in 2022
Project LIFT Services is a community-centered social justice and prevention agency that focuses on the well-being of Black teens and fathers to strengthen families and communities.
Beat the Streets Cleveland is a not-for-profit organization that cultivates youth development in underserved communities of Cleveland, Ohio by teaching the important concepts of respect, teamwork, leadership, integrity, and perseverance, through the engagement of the sport of wrestling.
Renounce Denounce Gang Intervention Program Corp. deals with bullying, peer-pressure, conflict resolution, how to make good choices and decisions.
Greater Collinwood Development Corp. advance equitable and inclusive economic development, community engagement and neighborhood stabilization & revitalization strategies within the communities.
Learning for Life Youth Program engages, empowers, and holistically develops youth. With a special focus on youth who have been marginalized, we provide a web of quality programs that caters not just to our young people, but also to their support networks.

Raising Our Kids

Grant in 2022
Raising Our Kids is a non-penal rehabilitation service for recently suspended or expelled students from grades K-12.
Ashbury Community Services is established to implement positive initiatives, which provides empowering technology resources to greater Cleveland residents.

1000 Ties

Grant in 2022
1000 Ties will enhance the quality of life for youth by teaching them skills they can use for a lifetime.
Black Environmental Leaders Association is a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization. Black Environmental Leaders Association (BEL) are aligned as stewards of the natural and built environment through collaboration and partnership, to raise awareness and advocate for environmental and economic justice.
Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association helps to plan, coordinate and budget the work of neighborhood centers. They adapt it services to meet the evolving needs of the individuals and families it serves.
Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation is a catalyst that prepares and develops emerging professionals, celebrates distinguished leaders and elevates our community.

Spirit of Excellence

Grant in 2022
Spirit of Excellence supports individuals with developmental disabilities; while connecting those in need with supports, enabling them to live learn and experience the many life enhancing activities.

Teen Excellence

Grant in 2022
Teen Excellence operates as a non profit organization.

Thea Bowman Center

Grant in 2022
Thea Bowman Center is a non-profit organization. They specialize in providing food support, children’s programs, and adult education. Their services include a food pantry, meals, adult computer classes, children’s learning activities, summer youth camp, and emergency help to individuals by appointment.

Collaboration Station

Grant in 2022
Collaboration Station focus is to help ordinary people bring about extraordinary change in their lives.

Enlightened Solutions

Grant in 2022
Enlightened Solutions is a research and advocacy firm that specializes in individual equity, and organizational change.

Take Ch9rge

Grant in 2022
Take Ch9rge empowers young men and women to "Take Charge" of their lives, through the development of healthy habits.

ABC Read

Grant in 2022
ABC Read is a 501(c)(3) organization that gives books, supplies and healthy snacks to the people in the community.
Victory Center For Youth operates as a non-profit organization.

Feed the Soul

Grant in 2022
Feed the Soul is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to empower the community through food education and developmental programming.
Best Community Resource Center provides people with a network of support and services essential for actively learning, working, and living in the community.

Daughters of Hadassah House

Grant in 2022
Daughters of Hadassah House operates as a non-profit charitable organization.

Village of Healing

Grant in 2022
Village of Healing is a community development organization focused on decreasing racial disparities by concentrating on providing an environment of healing in the community.
Youth Empowering Society is an innovative, creative, and cutting edge 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to organize, primarily through the vehicles of educational programs and housing services, a positive, enriching environment contributing to an improved quality of life for our underserved communities.
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is a legal aid society in Cleveland, Ohio established in 1905. It helped pioneer a nationwide legal aid movement whose leaders held to a simple but profound principle: that rich and poor alike are entitled to equal treatment under the law.

Karamu House

Grant in 2019
Karamu House stands tall in our nation’s history as an inclusive institution that served as a common ground for Clevelanders of different races, religions, and social and economic backgrounds, as well as a trusted community resource for local families.

Holmes Mouthwatering

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Holmes Mouthwatering is a Cleveland, Ohio-based manufacturer and seller of premium applesauce and real-fruit products. The company focuses on producing natural applesauce made from locally sourced ingredients, including regionally sourced apples, pears, and apple cider. Their products are designed to be nutritious, packed with vitamins and calcium, and provide consumers with freshly produced fruit snacks. Holmes Mouthwatering aims to support healthier food choices, helping individuals reach their potential through better nutrition.