The George Gund Foundation

09/26/2006 in Grantmaking

Foundation Awards $8.9 Million in September

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