The Community West Foundation offers quarterly grant opportunities to nonprofit organizations serving Cleveland, Western Cuyahoga, and Lorain Counties in Ohio. The foundation’s grants are designed to address a variety of human service needs and are aligned with a rotating quarterly focus to better target pressing issues in the community. Eligible organizations must hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the IRS Code and demonstrate alignment with the foundation's focus areas and service geography.
The foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) and full applications on a quarterly basis. LOIs must be submitted by January 10, April 4, July 11, or October 3, 2025. If an LOI is approved, applicants are invited to submit a full application by the corresponding deadline: February 5, May 2, August 1, or October 24, 2025. Review meetings for the Grants Committee occur on February 27, May 29, August 28, and November 20, 2025, after which funding decisions are made.
Each quarter focuses on different funding priorities. The first quarter supports hunger prevention and refugee/immigrant assistance. The second quarter is dedicated to housing and homeless services and support for incarcerated individuals or those re-entering society. The third quarter prioritizes health programming, services for people with disabilities, and addiction treatment. The fourth quarter serves broader community service organizations and unique or miscellaneous program areas not otherwise covered.
Applicants must articulate a clear community need and demonstrate how their program addresses this need. While the foundation provides operational support through its grants, it explicitly does not fund capital needs, endowments, school programs, or individuals. Additionally, the foundation has introduced a new grant application system requiring all applicants to create new user accounts.
Separate from its primary grant cycle, Community West Foundation also administers the Schindler Assistance Fund. This fund specifically supports places of worship that provide meals, food pantries, clothing, and other basic needs to disadvantaged populations.
Interested applicants should begin with an LOI and may contact the foundation with questions at 440-360-7370. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online portal.
