We support public education because it is fundamental to American democracy.

It promotes the common good, brings together children and families across different cultures, and serves all students, regardless of means, ability or circumstances. We believe in the premise and power of public education and we work to ensure every child in Cleveland attends a high-quality school and every neighborhood has a multitude of great schools from which families can choose. We work primarily with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and its partners to support schools that inspire joy and creativity, build resilience and character, impart and elicit knowledge, and produce just, kind and engaged citizens ready for college, career and civic life. We are committed to the values of racial and economic justice and to overcoming the continuing issue of segregated schools and communities. We support advocacy for sound and consistent statewide policy that furthers our work and mitigates the effects of poverty on learning.

We make grants to organizations that make a direct impact within and around the students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The Foundation has an interest in district-wide impact from PreK through postsecondary completion; and in sound and consistent statewide policy that furthers our work with CMSD students.

Successful grant applicants will make a connection between their work and one or more issue areas in the Foundation’s What We Believe statement.

The Public Education program area does not currently prioritize the following areas:

• Charter schools, private schools, or schools outside of CMSD
• Higher education, outside of select programs that support our Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship investments