George Gund

CLEVELAND OH — The George Gund Foundation made several grants at its March meeting aimed at helping to ensure fairness in federal and state budget proposals.

The Center for Community Solutions received a $75,000 grant on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Ohio’s Future, a statewide nonpartisan coalition of human service providers working to educate local communities, state legislators and the media on the impact of proposed budget reductions and tax policy changes at the state level.

A $75,000 grant was made to the Washington D.C.-based Urban Institute for economic analysis and research by its Tax Policy Center, and the National Womens Law Center received a two-year $200,000 grant for its leadership of the National Fair Taxes for ALL coalition and other federal advocacy on issues affecting women and children.

“We live in an era when many office holders’ concept of public policy begins and ends with tax cuts,” said David Abbott, Foundation executive director. “They chase political expediency without thinking through the consequences to our society’s ability to deliver adequate schooling, health care, safety or scores of other vital services on which we all rely. These grants help to shine a light on these issues and on the devastating impact of proposed state and federal budget cuts.”

These grants were among 71 totaling $2,835,242 made by Foundation Trustees at the first quarterly meeting of 2005.

Two grants also were made to the Downtown Cleveland Partnership for events that will use the arts to bring visitors to the city.

InGenuity: The Cleveland Festival of Art, Culture and Technology, which will hold its inaugural event over five days in late August, received a $100,000 grant. The festival, which will be centered on Euclid Avenue near East Fourth Street, will feature dozens of performances, exhibitions and demonstrations.

Sparx in the City received $25,000 for the Street Beats program which brings street performers downtown on weekends during the summer and the Urban Gallery Hop weekend in mid-September.

Other grants of interest included:

• $45,730 over 18 months to the Cleveland State University Foundation for development of curriculum and research projects that will be linked to construction of green buildings on campus.
• $35,000 to Action Against Crime and Violence Education Fund to open an Ohio office of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.
• $25,000 to the Environmental Defense, Incorporated for a campaign to reduce antibiotic overuse in animal agriculture in Ohio.
• $54,000 to the Cleveland State University Foundation for the First Ring Leadership Academy to train principals for first ring school districts.
• $30,000 to Hard Hatted Women to advocate for inclusion of women in major construction projects in University Circle.
• Up to $20,000 to the Poets’ and Writers’ League of Greater Cleveland for strategic planning.

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 $440 million.

For Further Information Contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216)241.3114

CLEVELAND OH — The George Gund Foundation made major grants at its December meeting for the Cleveland Museum of Art’s renovation and expansion project, Cuyahoga County’s Invest in Children Initiative and other programs that reflect the Foundation’s continuing commitment to the urban core of the region.

The Foundation’s $5 million grant to the $225 million museum project will support the most ambitious renovation and expansion plan in the University Circle institution’s 88-year history.

The Invest in Children Initiative is a five-year $73 million public-private partnership to create an early childhood system that promotes child well-being from birth to six, supports parents and caregivers and builds community support for investment in young children.

The Foundation also continued its commitment to Shorebank Enterprise Group Cleveland with a $300,000 grant to support efforts to create economic opportunities in eastside Cleveland neighborhoods.

Issues related to farmland preservation and urban sprawl also received attention with grants to three organizations working in that field.

These grants were among 81 totaling $9,776,410 approved at the last quarterly meeting of 2004.

Other grants of interest included:

• $75,000 to Policy Matters Ohio for state-level policy research on economic issues.
• $35,000 to the Health Care Research and Policy Institute at Georgetown University to analyze the impact of proposed federal Medicaid changes on HIV/AIDS services.
• $210,000 to the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture for operating support.
• $60,000 to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for conservation program collaboration with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
• $115,000 to the Center for Community Solutions for continued assistance in implementing the Cleveland Municipal School District’s Comprehensive Health Plan.
• $50,000 over two years to Neighborhood Health Care for Tremont Clinic expansion.
• $100,000 over two years to the Enterprise Foundation for the Green Communities Partnership to develop affordable green housing in Cleveland.

The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund, former chairman of the Cleveland Trust Company.

For Further Information Contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216)241.3114