Saint Luke’s Foundation Community Grants

Saint Luke’s Foundation offers Community Grants through its Resident Advancement Committee (RAC), aimed at supporting resident-led health initiatives within select neighborhoods of Cleveland, Ohio. These grants are intended to empower local residents and grassroots organizations who seek to improve health outcomes in their communities through targeted, place-based projects. Rooted in a health equity framework, Saint Luke’s Foundation encourages efforts that address social determinants of health by providing up to $6,000 per project to support ideas such as community gardens, mentorship programs, safety improvements, and other neighborhood-scale interventions. The grant program runs annually between March and September and is geographically limited to residents and organizations operating in Buckeye–Shaker, Mt. Pleasant, and Woodland Hills neighborhoods. These funds are designed for hyperlocal initiatives and prioritize accessibility by allowing individuals, community groups, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status to apply through fiscal sponsorship arrangements. Eligible project categories include educational attainment, financial stability, housing safety and stability, social connections, advocacy and policy engagement, and improved access to healthy food and physical activity. The application process is intentionally structured to ensure equitable access and community involvement. Interested applicants must first complete a Community Grant Inquiry Form, which includes basic project information such as a rough timeline, budget, and the project leader’s contact details. After submitting the inquiry, a member of the RAC will reach out within a week to arrange a meeting. This step allows the committee to learn more about the proposal, assess alignment with Saint Luke’s goals, and explore additional supports or collaboration opportunities. If the project is determined to be a good fit, the applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal through the Foundation’s grant portal. Grants are awarded quarterly, with deadlines falling on March 3, May 5, July 7, and September 2 in 2025. Applicants should plan to submit their materials by these dates or coordinate with fiscal sponsors to submit materials at least 10–14 days in advance. The RAC typically makes decisions in mid-month following each deadline. Funding is distributed upon completion of a grant agreement, and all awardees are required to submit a final report detailing project outcomes. The RAC, which manages a community discretionary budget of up to $140,000 annually, is composed of local residents within the Foundation’s footprint. This participatory model reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community-driven philanthropy and provides residents with the authority to fund initiatives that directly impact their neighborhoods. This approach enhances the Foundation’s understanding of local challenges and reinforces its long-standing health equity strategy. Applicants can find more information by contacting the Foundation’s grants staff at 216-431-8010 or emailing grants@stlukesfdn.org. For those interested in joining the RAC and helping to shape the distribution of community resources, applications to the committee are also available online. The Community Grants program exemplifies a model of participatory grantmaking that prioritizes resident voices and supports sustainable health improvements in Cleveland communities.

Submit inquiry 2–3 months before project start date; account for fiscal sponsor timelines.