09/25/2009 in Grantmaking

Foundation Awards $5.6 Million in September

CLEVELAND OH — The George Gund Foundation increased its support to the Fund for Our Economic Future, a collaborative effort to improve Northeast Ohio’s economy, with a three-year $4 million grant.

The Fund, which was launched six years ago, is a collaborative of more than 60 organizations and individuals that have pooled resources to strengthen regional competitiveness through grantmaking, research and civic engagement. The Foundation’s previous commitment had been $3.1 million over three years.

“In a time of economic stress it is more important than ever that our region’s leadership and resources pull together,” said David Abbott, Foundation executive director. “A collaboration such as the Fund, tackling the tough systemic issues we face, is really hard work. But joining forces makes far more impact than disconnected effort, and our trustees feel strongly that increasing our investment in the Fund signals our strong belief in collaborative action. Our increased funding also reflects the impact that the Fund has made and the fact that the Fund’s work is critical for the success of the other organizations we support in fields ranging from the arts to education.”

The grant was among 50 totaling $5,582,074 made by Foundation Trustees at their September meeting.

Other grants of interest include:

  • $100,000 to the Cleveland Heights/University Heights City School District for the First Ring Superintendents Collaborative, a group of 15 school districts.
  • $40,000 to the Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio for the Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage coalition.
  • $50,000 to Ohio Grantmakers Forum for a collaborative project to support strategic restructuring among human service organizations in Cuyahoga County.
  • $50,000 to the Ohio Environmental Council for a diesel pollution reduction campaign in Cleveland.
  • $80,000 to the Cleveland Housing Network for its work in stabilizing neighborhoods.
  • $75,000 to Kent State University Foundation for the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative’s work on Re-Imagining a More Sustainable Cleveland and publication of the journal Urban Infill.
  • $16,000 to CityMusic Cleveland for free concerts in Cleveland neighborhoods.

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 $534 million.

For further information contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216) 241.3114