Letter from the President

At The George Gund Foundation, elections do not change our values or beliefs; nor do they change the organizations we fund or the people we seek to serve. We are privileged to partner with dynamic organizations and people whose lived experience and work allow us to advance the Foundation’s mission. As such, we listen to our partners and are honored to support and work alongside them.

From grassroots organizing, to direct service, to public policy—we appreciate the interconnectedness of societal issues and therefore support organizations that embed interdisciplinary strategies into their work. We embrace the throughlines that emerge across our grantmaking portfolio.

It is our belief that no person, community, or issue is an island.

We are not wavering from What We Believe and will continue serving as a trusted and reliable community partner.

Ever onward,
Tony Richardson | President

 

February Grantmaking Climate

As the torrent of Executive Branch actions from the White House dominates the daily news cycle, there is equally important work happening in Congress—albeit more quietly—that will have profound impact on residents here in Cleveland and across Ohio, particularly those of low wealth. Debates on how much money (read: tax revenues) the federal government will have to spend and how it will spend it going forward are now underway.

So much is at stake. Nearly two-thirds of every dollar invested in health and human services in Ohio originated with the federal government. In addition, Ohio’s state operating budget and a combination of state and federal funds comprise a whopping 75 percent of health and social services spending in Cuyahoga County. Essential supports like hunger relief (SNAP) and health care (Medicaid) hang in the balance for tens of thousands of Clevelanders and millions of Ohioans.

To fight growing inequality—both racial and income—we support efforts to make federal budget and tax policy fair and equitable. We’re privileged to partner with a set of nonpartisan nonprofit organizations that have deep expertise in analyzing and influencing budget and tax policy, including Policy Matters Ohio, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Coalition on Human Needs. Backed by scrupulous data, they put a human face on fiscal decisions. Follow their critical work (and even lend your voice!) to stay plugged in to these momentous debates.

Foreword by
Marcia Egbert | Program Director, Thriving Families + Social Justice

 

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