Cleveland Foundation

The Cleveland Foundation, one of the nation's oldest and largest community foundations, provides grant funding to support nonprofit organizations across Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties in Ohio. Its standard grantmaking program invites 501(c)(3) public charities, as defined by the IRS, to apply for funding to advance initiatives that align with the Foundation's mission to enhance the lives of residents in these three counties. The foundation also considers proposals from government entities and churches, with the understanding that all applicants must serve one or more of the designated counties. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, but each funding cycle has a defined deadline. Applications received after a published deadline are automatically deferred to the subsequent cycle. Importantly, new applicants must register via the Cleveland Foundation's Grants Gateway platform at least two weeks before the intended deadline. Registration requires the organization's legal name (per IRS determination letter), address, EIN, executive director details, and authorized user information. Once registered, organizations must complete or update their profile within the Grants Gateway system, providing a comprehensive overview of their mission and programming. This profile becomes part of the decision-making process for both staff and donors. Following this, the grant application itself can be submitted through the online portal. A detailed user guide is available to assist with this process, though the Foundation does not offer one-on-one proposal writing support. The Cleveland Foundation makes funding decisions based on alignment with its priority areas, organizational capacity, and the potential for community impact. While applicants are not required to meet with a staff member prior to applying, program officers with subject-area expertise are available for guidance. Applications are assessed individually, and there is no restriction on the number of applications an organization may submit, though applicants are encouraged to prioritize high-impact proposals. Funding requests should reflect the actual cost of completing the proposed project, with no explicit award floor or ceiling provided. Grants from donor-advised funds are made at the discretion of the donors and do not require formal applications. However, organizations should keep their profiles updated, as they may be reviewed for consideration by donor-advised fund advisors. The Foundation does not assist in identifying other funding sources, but it recommends the use of Candid’s resources for proposal writing workshops and funder searches. Contact with the Grants Management team is encouraged for questions related to the application status, with responses typically available via the Grants Gateway system or through direct communication channels.

Register two weeks before any deadline; keep profile updated for donor-advised fund consideration