 IN THE COMMUNITY
Responding to Greater Cleveland's needs
An economic downturn is not the time to shrink back in fear. Instead, we need to boldly address problems, brainstorm solutions and continue to support the organizations that help so many in our communities.
So how have we responded? We have been out in the neighborhoods, conducting eight Community Conversation events where local nonprofits had the chance to tell us what their biggest issues were, how they were dealing with them, and how we could help.
- Listen as Kathleen Hallissey, director of community responsive grantmaking, discusses what we heard from the community in a quick podcast.
We have shortened the amount of time it takes to approve a grant, so we can be more flexible and responsive. We know many organizations are depending on our grant dollars.
We've created a webpage called "The Pulse," where we track Greater Cleveland's vital signs, giving you the latest numbers on unemployment, food stamp use, foreclosure filings and childhood enrollment in Medicaid. Those who feel moved to reverse these numbers are encouraged to donate to our Basic Needs Fund, which will benefit Cleveland's basic needs agencies.
- Read more about the project, including why we chose these particular statistics.
We'd love to hear from your organization on how you are operating during this time of financial stress. Please contact us or visit us at any one of our social media accounts (see left sidebar) to share your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Eckardt
Senior Vice President for Program and Evaluations |
GRANTS
Second-quarter grantmaking totals more than $15 million
The board of directors of the Cleveland Foundation authorized $15.3 million in grants to a variety of nonprofit organizations in Greater Cleveland, with a significant portion designed to help them continue to fulfill their missions during the economic crisis.
Among those receiving grants:
- Through a grant of $250,000, the Cuyahoga County Treasurer's Office will expand its foreclosure prevention program in a number of inner-ring suburbs.
- Asian Services in Action received approximately $117,000 for its Newcomers Family Support Center, which provides employment assistance and support services for recent Asian refugees.
- The YWCA of Cleveland received $75,000 in support of its NIA (Nurturing Independence and Aspirations) program for young women in transition out of foster care.
Click here for a full list of grants.
The county's nationally recognized foreclosure prevention program has prevented more than 4,500 people from losing their homes. |
FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
Celebrating 10 years of nurturing new talent
As a 2008 intern with the foundation's internship program, Kara Porter wasn't sure what to expect. But she was pleasantly surprised when she was placed at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
"I had done internships before and this was the first one where I was really integrated into the staff," Porter said.
The foundation started the summer internship program in 1999 as a way to keep and attract young talent in the region, preferably in the nonprofit community. The program provides undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates an opportunity to work for 11 weeks in Cleveland-area nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.
Since the program began 10 years ago, more than 150 young, burgeoning professionals have participated, with several former interns launching their careers in Northeast Ohio.
Porter just accepted her current position at the center as a special projects coordinator, working on some of the same projects she handled as an intern.
This is the type of outcome foundation staff loves to hear.
"The program is still relevant because it exposes young people to the local nonprofit and public sector, which helps develop future nonprofit leaders," said Nelson Beckford, program officer at the foundation and coordinator of the program.
The foundation is hosting a 10th anniversary breakfast on July 29, recognizing the program's success with recognizing up and coming talent. See the left sidebar for more details. 
Kara Porter, a 2008 intern, was hired by the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, where she worked on a variety of public policy projects. Her new role continues much of the same work. |
SUITE 1300
Neighborhood Connections, the foundation's small grants program, is hosting a summer celebration event for all neighborhood groups to come celebrate their achievements. The event is being organized by Cleveland Neighborhood Arts, a group of nine nonprofit arts education organizations. For more information, please e-mail Jensine Pernell at jpernell@neighborhoodgrants.org.
When: August 1
Where: Lincoln Park in Tremont (between W. 14th and Starkweather)
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
More than 200 people attended our summer celebration event last year. The general public is welcome to attend.
What do they do?
BeeDance helps turn "trash into treasure." The company redirects one person's waste materials (such as old art supplies) and connects to someone who could use them (such as an art teacher).
Expedite Renewable Energy helps companies save money by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Come learn more about these programs at the free breakfast. Send an e-mail with "Register for breakfast" to info@civicinnovationlab.org and include your name and company.
When: July 16
Where: Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Time: 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. |
