Posted on December 24, 2012

Cleveland Foundation Awards $10.5 Million in Fourth-Quarter Grants

The Cleveland Foundation has announced grants totaling $10.5 million to local nonprofit organizations working to advance the arts, education, economic development, quality of life, and youth development in the region.

Grant recipients include LEEDCo, which was awarded $250,000 in support of its efforts to position Northeast Ohio as a leader in the offshore wind industry; Esperanza, which will receive $330,000 to advance academic achievement among Hispanic youth by incorporating the ASPIRA model; and Starting Point, which was awarded $839,000 in support of its coordination of out-of-school time and between-grade transitional programming.

In addition, the West Side Catholic Center will receive $85,000 to meet the growing need for services among homeless families in the region. Ohio State University Extension Cuyahoga County was awarded $75,000 to develop a plan for connecting food producers, processors, and institutional buyers and create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for inner-city residents. And the Cleveland Metropolitan School District will receive $195,000 to assess the progress made in working with the American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences to strengthen behavioral supports and mental health services for students.

"The foundation is continuing its funding of this initiative, recognizing the link between a safe and supportive school environment and students' ultimate academic success," said Robert E. Eckardt, executive vice president of the Cleveland Foundation. "We understand these social service resources are especially important for students struggling with challenges related to poverty."

For a complete list of grant recipients, visit the Cleveland Foundation Web site.