The George Gund Foundation

03/11/2015 in Grantmaking

The George Gund Foundation Awards $6.8 Million at Winter Meeting

The George Gund Foundation approved $6,880,970 in grants at its March meeting to organizations working on everything from downtown development to providing access to health care for uninsured and underinsured Ohio residents.

Downtown Cleveland Alliance received a three-year $900,000 grant to continue its efforts to  attract residents and businesses to downtown and to provide support for similar efforts in the adjacent Flats and Campus District neighborhoods.

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks received a two-year $180,000 grant for its advocacy and outreach work around Medicaid renewal, the Affordable Care Act and other safety net programs.

MobileMed1, Inc. received a $30,000 grant for MedWorks, the organization’s free, large-scale, one-day mobile health clinics. A $30,000 grant also was awarded to Philanthropy Ohio for its statewide policy work around health care access and promotion of investment in preventative health care.

Trustees approved 60 grants to organizations working in human services, education, arts, environment and economic and community development at the Foundation’s first meeting of 2015.

Other grants of interest included:

  • $75,000 in operating support to The Cleveland Water Alliance, a network of public and private organizations working to spur  economic development, research, sound public policy and enhanced education around fresh water;
  • $25,000 to Cuyahoga Community College for free outdoor concerts during the 2015 Tri-C JazzFest;
  • $150,000 over two years to the West Creek Preservation Committee for operating support;
  • $20,000 to the Piano International Association of Northern Ohio for its ArtsConnect partnership with the Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association; and
  • $75,000 over two years to Third Sector Capital Partners for the Cuyahoga Partnering for Family Success program. 

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 three times a year in the areas of education, human services, economic and community development, environment and arts.  Foundation commitments to date have totaled almost $665 million.