In his powerful 2020 essay, shared posthumously, American patriot and congressman John Lewis implored us to remember that “Democracy is not a state; it is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we call the Beloved Community.” He made clear that while our contributions need not be grand, they do need to be.

At The George Gund Foundation, we feel equally privileged and obligated to do our modest part to help build our beloved Cleveland community through nonpartisan democracy-building grantmaking. What does that look like in practice? It means centering the voices and leadership of people who have been historically marginalized, investing in year-round democracy-building infrastructure, emphasizing multi-year operating support, and encouraging collaboration that puts people and a commitment to the greater democratic good first. And because respect for the rule of law is essential to a functioning democracy, it also means we are firmly committed to the highest standards of integrity and faithfulness to the rules and regulations guiding nonprofit and philanthropic nonpartisan civic engagement.

Theologian and scholar Reinhold Niebuhr wrote that our capacity for justice makes democracy possible, while our historic inclination to injustice makes it necessary. America has never fully realized the aspirations outlined in our nation’s founding documents.  Moreover, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s birth, we find ourselves in a moment where democratic principles and practices that provide a path to justice are threatened.

We are therefore deeply grateful—now and always—for the actions of our grant partners, who work every day to build a well-functioning democracy in which power is truly held by We the People. They refresh our faith that democracy endures, and remind us, as the iconic American freedom fighter and women’s rights trailblazer Sojourner Truth believed, that “the truth is all powerful and will prevail.”

At its June meeting, The George Gund Foundation Board of Trustees voted to approve a slate of 102 grants, with a commitment totaling $11,686,250.

Association of African American Cultural Gardens Inc.
African American Cultural Garden. | $150,000 | Creative Culture and Arts

Bike Cleveland
Cleveland E-Bike Rebate Program. | $100,000 | over 2 years | Climate and Environmental Justice

Economic Growth Foundation
Sustainability and Energy Initiative. | $110,000 | Climate and Environmental Justice

Esperanza Inc.
Operating Support. | $400,000 | Public Education

Fair Elections Center
Operating Support. | $250,000 | over 2 years | Democracy Building

The Musical Arts Association
Arts Administration Internship Program. | $150,000 | over 2 years | Creative Culture and Arts

Northeast Ohio Worker Center
Operating Support. | $175,000 | over 2 years | Economic Justice and Community Power

Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation
Operating Support. | $250,000 | over 2 years | Democracy Building

Ohioans for Youth Justice
Operating support. | $100,000 | over 2 years | Thriving Families and Social Justice

Spanish American Committee for a Better Community
Operating Support. | $300,000 | Economic Justice and Community Power

United Labor Agency Inc.
Operating Support. | $100,000 | over 2 years | Thriving Families and Social Justice

In March, Ohio Senators Louis Blessing and Beth Liston introduced SB396, a bipartisan bill advancing paid family and medical leave for Ohio workers and families. The bill resulted from years of work by Time to Care Ohio (TTCO), a coalition of 60+ members from across the state which is led by Collaborate Cleveland. If enacted, Ohio would join 14 other states in offering part- and full-time workers job-protected paid leave for child or family care, or personal medical needs. To stay up-to-date on this work sign up for TTCO’s newsletter, The Care Chronicle, here.

Public Funds Belong in Public Schools—that’s the message from Honesty for Ohio Education as it launches the Voucher Accountability Project. The initiative aims to inform Ohioans about the state’s EdChoice private school voucher program, which a Franklin County Common Pleas judge has ruled unconstitutional. That decision is now under review by the Tenth District Court of Appeals, where arguments center on Article VI, Section 2 of the Ohio Constitution. The provision requires the state to “secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state; but no religious or other sect, or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this state.” A decision from the appeals court is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

Canopy Child Advocacy Center plays a unique and indispensable role in our community, serving as the central hub where public agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, social service providers, and community partners come together with a shared commitment: ensuring that children and families impacted by abuse are safe, supported, and empowered to heal. Through its groundbreaking, coordinated, trauma-informed approach, Canopy reduces the burden on vulnerable children by providing comprehensive services in a compassionate, child-centered environment. Foundation funding helps Canopy deliver critical interventions, strengthen collaborative partnerships, and provide children and families with the resources they need not only to recover from trauma, but to move forward with hope, resilience, and the opportunity for joyful futures.

Apply for a Grant

On occasion, the Foundation is able to consider requests up to $100,000 between board meetings, so we welcome applications at any time. For grant requests in excess of $100,000, the next deadline is July 15, 2026.

Please contact the relevant program director or the grants administrator for more information. Details about our grantmaking priorities and application process can be found on our website.