Grantmaking

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

CLEVELAND, OH — The George Gund Foundation awarded grants at its September meeting to organizations working to improve public policy in Ohio related to child welfare, public education, adoption and health care access.

“Year after year we make grants to organizations working to ameliorate social conditions that too often don’t seem to change,” explained David Abbott, the Foundation’s executive director. “We see our investment in public policy advocacy as helping to change the policies that create these conditions in the first place. Our policy grants also have the potential to leverage public dollars far beyond any funds for direct service a foundation might be able to provide.”

The grants were among 92 totaling $5,287,415 made at the board’s third quarterly meeting of the year to organizations working in human services, education, environment, arts and economic and community development.
The Foundation continued its support for Voices for Children of Greater Cleveland, an organization dedicated to improvements in the well-being of children through coordinated state and local advocacy, with a $60,000 operating grant.

The Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, which focuses on creating a fair, equitable method for funding Ohio public schools, received a $50,000 grant.

Other policy-related grants included $75,000 to Families USA, a Washington D.C. based group working on research and advocacy related to health care issues, and $75,000 over two years to the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy at Capital University in Columbus.

Other grants of interest included:

• $60,000 to the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization for a capital campaign feasibility and implementation study for the Gordon Square Cultural Arts District.
• $50,000 to Beyond Pesticides for a pesticides exposure reduction program in Greater Cleveland schools.
• $37,500 to the Cuyahoga County Public Library for research on possible library consolidation in Cuyahoga County.
• $50,000 to the Center for Teacher Leadership at John Hopkins University for the Institute for Progressive Teacher Union Leadership.
• $66,080 to the Institute for America’s Future for an analysis of how existing manufacturing capacity in Northeast Ohio can be adapted to the growing renewable energy market.
• $75,000 to MDRC to research and develop models for quality early childhood development programs.
• $15,000 to the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to provide environmental information to Cleveland television meteorologists.

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 $427 million.

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

CLEVELAND, OH — George Gund Foundation Trustees made a $1.6 million grant at their June meeting for construction of the Idea Center, a downtown facility that will serve as a shared home for ideastream, Cleveland’s public broadcasting organization, and Playhouse Square Foundation’s education programs.

The center, which will open in Cleveland’s theater district in early 2005, will include street-level broadcast and dance studios, a 300-seat theater that can be used for both television and theater and an interactive education center.

“The Idea Center represents a unique collaboration that not only will save more than $5 million over what it would have taken for the two organizations to build separate facilities, but also presents an incredible opportunity for synergy between the two organizations,” said David Abbott, Foundation executive director. “The street-level studios also will enliven Euclid Avenue and bring new activity to downtown.”

The Idea Center grant, which will be paid over three years, was among 109 grants totaling $6,019,930 approved at the second quarterly meeting of 2004. Trustees also approved a three-year $450,000 grant to the Center for Community Solutions for its public policy and advocacy work; two grants totaling $180,000 to Cleveland Public Art for operating support, completion of the Detroit-Shoreway pedestrian/bikeway and other projects; and $215,000 in grants to the Cleveland Municipal School District for academic standards implementation, communications efforts and the CEO Support and Development Fund.

Other grants of interest included:

• $40,000 over two years for publication of “Angle,” a magazine reporting on activities in Cleveland arts, cultural and literary communities.
• $100,000 to Towards Employment to continue programs of the now-defunct Cleveland Works.
• $90,500 over two years to the Cleveland Zoological Society to strengthen and expand its conservation programs.
• $60,000 over two years to the Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization to develop the Cuyahoga/Lake Erie Environmental Restoration Technology Enterprise Center.
• $50,000 to the United Labor Agency to establish a community hiring hall for day laborers.
• $25,000 to the Center for Families and Children for its policy work and a conference on the impact of regionalism on health and human services issues and organizations.
• $48,300 to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to develop policies and procedures for its proposed archives and library.
• $29,460 to the Western Reserve Historical Society for the “Big and Green—Toward Sustainable Architecture in the 21st Century” exhibit.
• $45,000 to David N. Myers College for development of its capital campaign.

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 $422 million.

For Further Information Contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216.241.3114)

Cleveland, OH — The George Gund Foundation continued its longstanding commitment to Cleveland’s neighborhoods with a three-year $3 million grant to Neighborhood Progress, Inc. (NPI) and renewal of more than $500,000 in certificates of deposit at community-focused ShoreBank 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 in the city that has resulted 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 two business incubators.

Trustees approved 104 grants to human service, environment, arts, education and community and economic development organizations totaling $6,752,792 at the Foundation’s first quarterly meeting of 2004.

Other grants of interest included:

• $54,000 to the Cleveland State University Foundation for the First Ring Leadership Academy that identifies, recruits and trains principals for 13 first-ring school districts.
• $44,750 to Case Western Reserve University to obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for a new dormitory in the campus’s North Residential Village.
•  $143,820 to Adoption Network Cleveland for the Adopt Ohio’s Kids Initiative, a public-private partnership to find permanent homes for children in cases where parental rights have been terminated.
• $150,000 over two years to Case Western Reserve University for the Schubert Center for Child Development for its Child Policy Initiative.
• $75,000 to America SCORES for Cleveland SCORES, an after-school program for urban school students that combines literacy enrichment activities and soccer.
• $80,000 over two years to the Center for Community Change for the Coalition for Human Needs, a coalition of 100 national organizations working to influence public policy impacting poor people.
• $25,000 to Charenton Theater Co. to convert a truck into a traveling stage and to support free summer performances.
• $17,000 to African Soul for administrative support and the Midwest African American Dance Conference.
• $50,000 over two years to EcoCity Cleveland for the EcoVillage project in Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood.
• $70,000 over two years to The Nature Conservancy for conservation of migratory bird sites in Western Lake Erie.$35,000 to the Ecological Design Innovation Center for the Northeast Ohio Foodshed Network.

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, arts and civic affairs. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $416 million.

For Further Information Contact: Deena M. Epstein
(216)241–3114

Cleveland, OH — George Gund Foundation trustees approved grants at their last quarterly meeting of 2003 to improve teacher training in Ohio, upgrade and expand parks in downtown Cleveland and help build a new community foodbank facility.

The grants were among 78 totaling $3,914,020 made at the Foundation’s December meeting. Total grantmaking for 2003 was $17,820,451.

The Foundation made a $50,000 grant for the Ohio Partnership for Accountability, a statewide consortium of Ohio’s 51 teacher preparation programs, that is working with the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Board of Regents to examine the relationships between teacher training programs and teacher effectiveness and student achievement.

Parkworks, Inc. will use a $200,000 grant for its Downtown Greenspace Initiative to develop new parks and make improvements to existing outdoor spaces.
The Greater Cleveland Community Foodbank recently broke ground for a new 112,000 square foot facility in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood. A $200,000 grant will be used for construction expenses.

Other grants of interest included:

• $400,000 to Shorebank Enterprise Group in continued operating support for its programs in Cleveland neighborhoods.
• $44,750 to Case Western Reserve University to obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for a new dormitory in the campus’s North Residential Village.
• $50,000 to the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education for implementation of its strategic plan.
• $150,000 to the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission for the International Children’s Games and Cultural Festival.
• $50,000 to the Christian Community, Inc. for a comprehensive adolescent sexuality education initiative.
• $35,000 to the Farm Labor Research Project for legal clinic staff expansion.
• $25,000 to The Children First Campaign Education Fund for its efforts to raise the visibility of children and family issues in federal elections.
• $17,000 to the Contemporary Youth Orchestra for the Tribute to Rock Artists Festival.
• $210,000 to the Community Partnership for Arts and Cultural for operating support.
• $75,000 to Karamu House for support of the theater program and the new artistic director.
• Up to $40,000 to the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Council to help corporations restore habitat and wildlife on their holdings in the Cuyahoga Valley.
• $35,000 to the Ecological Design Innovation Center for the Northeast Ohio Foodshed Network.

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, arts and civic affairs. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $409 million.

For Further Information Contact: Deena M. Epstein (216)241–3114

Cleveland, OH — The George Gund Foundation made grants at its September meeting that will encourage formation of sound public policy in Ohio related to higher education, public school funding, prisoner re-entry and smart growth development.

The Foundation made a two-year $240,000 grant for the start-up of Greater Ohio, an organization that will assemble a broad-based coalition to advance smart growth policy at the state, regional and local levels.

Three education grants were directed at statewide policy efforts. A $100,000 grant was made for the work of the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and the Economy that will propose policies to make Ohio competitive in the knowledge economy, ensure access to higher education for more Ohio citizens and provide a high return on the state’s investment in higher education. The Ohio Fair Schools Campaign received a $25,000 grant for its efforts to improve the equity and adequacy of school funding in Ohio, and the Federation forCommunity Planning was awarded up to $50,000 to continue its efforts on educating the public about education-related policy issues in the state.
The Washington-based Urban Institute received a two-year $200,000 grant for a study of four states, including Ohio, and their current and proposed policies related to the re-entry of released prisoners into local communities.

These grants were among 99 totaling $5,324,921 awarded by Trustees at the Foundation’s third quarterly meeting of 2003 to a wide range of organizations addressing education, human services, economic and community development, environment, arts and civic affairs issues.

Other grants of interest included:

• $2 million to the Foundation Fighting Blindness for research on the causes, nature and prevention of inherited retinal degenerative diseases.
• Up to $250,000 to BioEnterprise Corporation for support of its efforts to create, attract and accelerate the growth of bioscience businesses in Northeast Ohio.
• $70,000 over two years to Playhouse Square Foundation for Partners in Performance, a new arts education partnership with the Cleveland Municipal School District.
• $25,000 to The Cleveland Green Building Coalition for Collaborating for Success II: A Midwest Conference for Multi-Tenant Nonprofit Centers.
• $35,000 to the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland for its Syringe Exchange Program.
• $7,500 to the United Labor Agency to create a Community Hiring Hall to place temporary day labor.
• $100,000 to Cleveland Public Art for operating and project support.
• $75,000 to The Urban Institute for its new Tax Policy Center.

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, arts and civic affairs. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $398 million.

For Further Information Contact: Deena M. Epstein (216)241–3114

Cleveland, OH — The George Gund Foundation made grants at its June meeting to launch the new Health Policy Institute of Ohio, insure better legal representation for Ohioís juvenile offenders and continue efforts to promote green building standards in Greater Cleveland.

Foundation Trustees approved 107 grants, totaling $3,391,750 to a wide range of organizations working in the arts, environment, human services, civic affairs, education and economic and community development.

A two-year $225,000 grant was made to help launch the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, an organization that will work to improve the health of all Ohioans though non-partisan research, analysis and communication on vital health issues in the state, particularly those affecting Medicaid, uninsured and underinsured populations. The new organization, funded by a statewide consortium of foundations, will be based in Columbus.

The Northern Kentucky Children’s Law Center, which serves as the regional affiliate of the American Bar Association’s National Justice Defender Center and whose territory includes Ohio, will work to implement recommendations of a recently completed study, “Justice Cut Short: An Assessment of Access to Counsel and Quality of Representation in Delinquency Proceedings in Ohio.” The organization received a $110,000 grant for its work.

The Cleveland Green Building Coalition will use a two-year $120,000 grant to continue efforts to promote green building standards in both renovation and new construction projects throughout the community.

Other grants of interest included:

• $40,000 to the New York Institute for Special Education to expand the Cornerstone literacy program into additional Cleveland Municipal School District schools.
• $125,000 to Young Audiences for the Initiative for Cultural Arts in Education (ICARE) project.
• $100,000 to the Kent State University Foundation for the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative.
• $40,000 to St. Vincent DePaul Society to establish the Greater Cleveland Clothing Bank, a central collection and distribution center for gently used clothing.
• $49,875 to Western Reserve RC & D for the Center for Farmland Preservation in Ohio.
• $50,000 to WECO Fund, Inc. for the Individual Development Account and Microenterprise Programs.
• $25,000 to Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Cleveland for expansion of the Experience Corps Tutoring Program in the Cleveland Municipal School District.

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, arts and civic affairs. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $393 million.

For Further Information Contact: Deena M. Epstein (216)241–3114

Cleveland, Ohio — The George Gund Foundation made several grants at its March meeting related to the Cleveland Municipal School District’s (CMSD) plans for a massive school facilities improvement program.

A $75,000 grant was made to Cleveland Tomorrow for the Bond Accountability Commission, an independent entity created to monitor and oversee expenditure of funds from the $350 million bond issue that was approved by voters in May 2001 for school building and renovation.

A two-year $150,000 grant will be used for efforts to engage and involve the community in school facilities planning and management. The grant was made to The Cleveland Foundation and will be used by three partners in community engagement efforts-the City of Cleveland, the CMSD and Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition.

The Foundation also made a $50,000 grant to EcoCity Cleveland’s Green Building Coalition which will work with the school district to encourage use of “green” energy efficiency and health standards in construction and renovation.

The grants were among 73 totaling $2,439,580 made by Trustees to a wide range of organizations and projects in human services, education, arts, environment, civic affairs and economic and community development at the first quarterly meeting of 2003.

Other grants of interest included:

• $350,000 over two years to Case Western Reserve University’s Center on Urban Poverty and Change for focused social policy analysis, communication for policy influences and graduate education in poverty research.
• $25,000 over 15 months to the Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre for operating support.
• $30,000 to the Center for Employment Training Cleveland for operating support.
• $25,000 to the Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland for the Safe Schools Are For Everyone program.
• $30,000 over two years to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for the Natural Areas Program.
• $67,500 to the Federation for Community Planning for the emergency state budget campaign.
• $15,000 to Cleveland Bridge Builders, Incorporated for a strategic program assessment.
• $25,000 to the Adoption Network Cleveland for a program and volunteer coordinator and office relocation.
• $40,000 over two years to the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums for the Ohio Butterfly Conservation Initiative.
• $25,000 to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence for the Firearms Litigation Clearinghouse.

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, arts and civic affairs. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $393 million.

For Further Information Contact: Deena M. Epstein216.241.3114