United Black Fund Community Thrive Grant

The Community Thrive Grant, administered by the United Black Fund (UBF), is designed to support organizations in Cuyahoga County, Ohio that address pressing community issues such as gun violence prevention and mental health support. This initiative reflects UBF's commitment to fostering community well-being by investing in strategic, high-impact programs that target root causes and improve the overall quality of life for residents. In the area of mental health, the grant prioritizes projects that address conditions like depression and suicide prevention among both youth and adults. It also supports initiatives targeting school violence, chronic absenteeism, anger management, and the negative effects of social media on mental health. Programs that provide therapeutic services, educational interventions, or other innovative approaches are encouraged to apply. For gun violence prevention, UBF seeks community-based strategies and educational programs that aim to reduce gun-related incidents and promote public safety. Eligible proposals may include initiatives that focus on school or institutional shooting prevention, family support for victims, gun safety education, and reforms or awareness efforts around gun laws and culture. Past recipients of the Community Thrive Grant include organizations such as Ghetto Therapy and Rivers in the Desert, each awarded $25,000 in 2025 to support mental health and violence prevention efforts, respectively. Funding is intended to empower community groups and leaders to address these challenges through direct service, advocacy, and preventative programming. Although the most recent application window is now closed, the grant cycle was coordinated in conjunction with the Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC), which handled application review, site visits, and final funding recommendations in March 2025. UBF is currently awaiting next-step guidance from the CPC before reopening or proceeding with subsequent cycles. Organizations interested in future cycles are advised to monitor updates via the UBF website. The CPC is available to assist with inquiries and application support via their contact form, phone (216-505-5920), or email (clecpc@clevelandohio.gov).

Address root causes of mental health or gun violence; include data or testimonials; align closely with CPC focus areas like community safety or restorative justice.