Foundation Awards $3.5 Million in March
George Gund
CLEVELAND OH — The George Gund Foundation made grants at its first quarterly meeting of 2007 to support planning for six innovative new schools in the Cleveland Municipal School District and to encourage new residents and businesses to move into downtown Cleveland.
A $300,000 grant will provide funds for planning and curriculum design, principal and teacher recruitment, student recruitment and marketing and consulting assistance for the six “opportunity” schools slated to open in the fall of 2007. These include four single gender K-8 academies, a residential school for high school-aged boys and a STEM (science, technology and engineering) academy.
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance received $208,750 for a variety of projects aimed at making downtown “the most compelling place to live, work and visit in the region.”
The grants were among 67 totaling $3,477,250 made by Gund Trustees at the Foundation’s March meeting.
Other grants of interest included:
- $125,000 over two years to the Institute for Conservation Leadership to provide leadership training and technical assistance for Ohio environmental organizations.
- Up to $25,000 to the Cleveland Municipal School District to develop a strategic plan for arts education.
- $100,000 to Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons for renovation and expansion of its Payne Avenue facilities.
- $150,000 over two years to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks for advocacy work and for expansion of the Benefit Bank, a web-based tool to help low-income individuals and families determine their eligibility for a variety of state and federal assistance programs.
- $38,000 to the Cleveland Botanical Garden to develop and implement an organizational sustainability plan.
- $66,500 over two years to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center for the Sexual Assault Public Policy and Advocacy Project.
The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund, former chairman of the Cleveland Trust Company. The Foundation funds programs that enhance our understanding of the physical and social environment in which we live and increase our ability to cope with its changing requirements. Grants are made quarterly in the areas of education, human services, economic and community development, environment and arts. Foundation commitments to date have totaled almost $487 million.
For further information contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216)241.3114
Related News
Gund Foundation Seeking Senior Secretary
George Gund
The George Gund Foundation is seeking a senior secretary to be part of its five-person support staff team, performing general office and grants management tasks as well as providing administrative assistance to two program officers.
The Foundation is a private philanthropy that makes grants quarterly to nonprofit organizations working in human services, education, environment, arts and economic development and community revitalization. This is an opportunity to be part of an organization that seeks to make Cleveland a better place to live and work.
The position requires strong computer skills including database management, a willingness to learn about Clevelandís diverse nonprofit community, excellent written and oral communications skills, the ability to multi-task, strong interpersonal skills, dedication to detail and the ability to work under deadline. The position also requires flexibility, open-minded thinking, personal initiative, a positive attitude and a sense of humor.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to quickly master grants administration protocols and procedures, adapt to a diverse and changing workload, work well with a diverse staff and communicate effectively with our grantees.
The Foundation, located in downtown Cleveland with convenient access to public transportation, offers a salary commensurate with experience and excellent benefits including fully-paid health insurance and generous 403B contribution. Applicants should submit their resume to Cindy Gasparro at cGasparro@GundFdn.org or to the Foundation, 1845 Guildhall, 45 W. Prospect, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Additional information about The George Gund Foundation is available at www.gundfoundation.org.
Related News
Mandel Center Seeking Award Nominations
George Gund
Nonprofit Management and Organization Innovation
The Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University is accepting nominations for two annual award programs.
The 2007 Leadership in Nonprofit Management Award is for an individual with an outstanding record of leadership, and the 2007 Organization Innovation Award will be given to an organization with an outstanding record of innovation.
Community members familiar with the work of an outstanding nonprofit leader or organization are encouraged to submit a nomination. Nomination forms and detailed nomination guidelines for both awards can be found on the Mandel Center website at www.case.edu/mandelcenter/nonprofitawards.
All nominations must be received by Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at noon.
The awards will be presented at the Mandel Center Nonprofit Awards Luncheon on June 6.
Click here for more information about the awards.
Related News
Ohio Grantmakers Forum Releases Education Report
George Gund
Ohio Grantmakers Forum (OGF) has released a report, “Education for Ohio’s Future,” which provides a comprehensive look at education in the state from preschool through college.
The report, prepared by a taskforce of grantmakers from throughout the state, outlines a number of high impact changes necessary to prepare Ohio students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
The report, available at www.ohiograntmakers.org, is the first of its kind crafted by the state’s grantmaking community which typically provides about $300 million to education initiative annually.
“The essential first step to improving education is a shared understanding of the challenge and opportunities that Ohio faces,” said George Espy, OGF president. “The next step will be going forward together, encouraging state and grantmaker leadership and engaging communities.”
He said a series of regional meetings will be held to disseminate and discuss the report during the first quarter of 2007.
Click here to download the report.
Related News
Foundation Awards $7.9 Million in December
George Gund
CLEVELAND OH — The George Gund Foundation re-affirmed its commitment to revitalizing Cleveland’s neighborhoods with a three-year $3.6 million grant to Neighborhood Progress, Inc. and a $300,000 grant to Shorebank Enterprise Group Cleveland.
NPI, which is the principal intermediary between funders and community development corporations in Cleveland, has played a key role in the development of new housing and the revitalization of neighborhood commercial districts, resulting in a rise in residential property values and slowing of the city’s population decline.
Shorebank and its related subsidiaries, which have provided financing for a number of housing projects and business start-ups in Cleveland, also operate a business incubator and a program to link businesses with the neighborhood workforce.
The grants were among 86 totaling $7,863,026 that were made by Gund Trustees at the Foundation’s fourth quarterly meeting of 2006. Grantmaking for the year totaled $27,551,038.
Trustees also approved a five-year $1,000,000 grant to the Cleveland Zoological Society to incorporate green building standards into design and construction of the new African Elephant Crossing exhibit facility.
Other grants of interest include:
- $125,000 for the 2007 Ingenuity Festival which will take place in Playhouse Square.
- $300,000 over two years to the Washington D.C. based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities for analysis on federal fiscal policy.
- $75,000 in continued support to the University of Cincinnati for the Teacher Quality Partnership project, a longitudinal study of teacher preparation, in-school support and effectiveness in Ohio.
- $50,000 to the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization to staff the fundraising effort for the Gordon Square Arts District.
- $25,000 to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation for the Resource Mothers and Doulas of Cleveland project.
- $40,000 to Ideastream for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Buckeye High School Robotics Competition.
- $31,320 to the Ohio Citizen Action Fund to purchase air toxic monitoring equipment for use by citizen groups throughout Ohio.
The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund, former chairman of the Cleveland Trust Company. The Foundation funds programs that enhance our understanding of the physical and social environment in which we live and increase our ability to cope with its changing requirements. Grants are made quarterly in the areas of education, human services, economic and community development, environment and arts. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $483 million.
For Further Information Contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216)241.3114
Related News
Foundation Seeking Fellowship Candidates
George Gund
The George Gund Foundation Fellowship provides an opportunity for promising professionals to work inside the Foundation, a philanthropic organization that plays a vital role in supporting the civic life of Greater Cleveland and in various national policy deliberations that impact our community. The fellowship is a two-year, full-time commitment beginning in Summer 2007, requiring residence in Northeast Ohio during this period.
To be considered for the fellowship, each candidate must submit a cover letter, a detailed resume, two letters of recommendation and a short essay discussing why the fellowship opportunity is of interest. These materials are due no later than January 3, 2007.
A fellow will be selected in mid-April.
For complete information on the fellowship, click here.
Related News
Cleveland Foodbank Wins National Recognition
George Gund
Named America’s Second Harvest Member of the Year
The Cleveland Foodbank, a longtime Foundation grantee, has been named America’s Second Harvest Member of the Year.
The award is the most prestigious annual honor Second Harvest bestows annually on one of its 220 affiliate food banks for excellence in local hunger relief efforts.
In 2005, the Cleveland Foodbank distributed over 18 million pounds of food to more than 415 hunger programs, which included area food pantries, hot meal programs, shelters and other agencies such as child-care centers and homes for the elderly. This was enough food for the member agencies to serve over 15 million meals to hungry individuals in the community.
Click here to go to the Foodbank’s website.
Related News
Urban Institute Releases Prisoner Re-Entry Report
George Gund
The Urban Institute recently released the latest findings from its “Returning Home: Understanding the Challenges of Prisoner Re-entry” study at an event hosted by The George Gund Foundation in Cleveland.
The report, “Cleveland Prisoners’ Experiences Returning Home,” chronicles the experience of more than 400 previously incarcerated individuals during the first months following their release from prison. The brief examines factors that may help or hinder successful reintegration, including employment, substance use, attitudes and beliefs, health status, criminal histories and family and community contexts. The report is available at http://www.urban.org/publications/311359.html.
Simultaneously, United Way Services of Greater Cleveland released a new community resource guide for previously incarcerated individuals and their families. The “Going Home to Stay” guide is intended to help people prepare for United Way Services of Greater Cleveland their release from prison. It provides information about available services, including health care, housing, clothing, legal assistance and employment. “Going Home to Stay” is also an excellent resource for social service providers working in the reentry field. The free guide is available at http://www.211cleveland.org/pdfs/communityreentry.pdf.
Related News
Foundation Awards $8.9 Million in September
George Gund
CLEVELAND OH — The George Gund Foundation has made a $3.5 million grant to the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) for its new consolidated campus on Euclid Avenue in University Circle.
“CIA, with its tag line of ‘making art work,’ understands the role a creative workforce can play in revitalizing the Northeast Ohio economy,” said David Abbott, Foundation executive director. “We are also pleased that the expanded CIA campus will be located in the new Arts and Retail District being planned by Case Western Reserve University and University Circle Inc., bringing the energy of CIA’s students and faculty to this important new development.”
The grant also recognized the longtime involvement of the Foundation’s founder with the Cleveland Institute of Art, he said. Mr. Gund was board chair from 1942 until his death in 1966.
Trustees also continued their commitment to research into the causes, nature and prevention of retinal degenerative diseases with a $2 million grant to the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
These grants were among 86 totaling $8,879,655 made by Foundation Trustees at their third quarterly meeting of 2006.
Other grants of interest include
- $75,000 over two years to the Cleveland Foodbank to address anti-hunger policy issues.
- $260,000 to the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture for its continued advocacy and programming activities.
- $250,000 to the Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland for efforts to improve, coordinate and market services designed to increase literacy rates.
- $130,000 over two years to the Ohio Citizen Action Education Fund for the Good Neighbor campaign to negotiate pollution reduction agreements with Cleveland industrial facilities.
- $40,000 to Beyond Pesticides for the Pesticides Alternatives for Safe Schools project in Greater Cleveland.
- $25,000 to PolicyBridge, a non-partisan African-American-led think tank, for staff salaries.
- $50,000 to the West Side Community House for a new facility on Lorain Avenue at West 93rd Street.
- $15,000 to the Lakewood Foundation for efforts by Lakewood government and community leaders to develop a Youth Master Plan.
- $100,000 to Parkworks for operating support.
- $75,000 over 15 months to Entrepreneurs for Sustainability for operating support.
A full list of grants awarded in 2006 can be found here. September grants are listed under individual program areas.
The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund, former chairman of the Cleveland Trust Company. The Foundation funds programs that enhance our understanding of the physical and social environment in which we live and increase our ability to cope with its changing requirements. Grants are made quarterly in the areas of education, human services, economic and community development, environment and arts. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $475 million.
For Further Information Contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216)241.3114
Related News
Cuyahoga County to Vote on Arts Levy
George Gund
Cuyahoga County residents will have an opportunity to vote on a tax issue November 7 that could provide up to $20 million a year over the next ten years for Greater Clevelandís arts and cultural community.
Issue 18 proposes a 30-cent per pack tax on cigarettes that would be used to provide a dedicated source of revenue to support nonprofit arts and culture organizations and projects. It is estimated that the arts and cultural sector currently generates an estimated $1 billion in annual economic activity in Cuyahoga County.
Grants will be awarded in four categories — operating support for arts and cultural organizations; project support; artist support for residences in schools or neighborhood-based community centers or creation of innovative new work; and extraordinary initiatives that promise unusual community benefit or meet emergency organizational needs.
More information on Issue 18 is available at www.cuyahogaartsandculture.org.