The David & Inez Myers Foundation concentrates heavily on supporting Jewish life and education—locally in Cleveland and in Israel—while also investing in youth development, K–12 enrichment, and cultural institutions in Greater Cleveland. Its funding portfolio mixes large, multi-grant commitments to central Jewish institutions with recurring support for local schools, summer camp scholarship programs, campus life (Hillel), and civic safety‑net services. The foundation shows an interest in experiential Israel programs and leadership development for young Jewish people, but also funds non‑Jewish community partners addressing early learning, legal aid, and arts education in Cleveland.
A defining feature of the David & Inez Myers Foundation is its repeated use of very large gifts to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland for interconnected work across Jewish education, campus life, cemetery preservation, emergency shelter, and Israel-related programs. That pattern shows up in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with awards ranging from $3.8 million to $4.6 million to the federation alone. The foundation also backs institutions that shape Jewish continuity at other stages of life: Jewish day schools, rabbinic training, Hillel, and youth organizations. Its portfolio combines central Jewish institutions with local Cleveland partners. Cleveland State University Foundation received support for pre-professional health students, career development, graduation coaching, and Math Corps, while Friends of Breakthrough Schools was funded for general support and summer learning. The same breadth appears in arts and civic life, including Musical Arts Association, Cleveland Institute of Music, and United Way of Greater Cleveland. In the Jewish sphere, the foundation has supported Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, Jewish Federations of North America, and the Jewish Agency for Israel - North American Council. Recurring grants suggest a sustained, relationship-based approach rather than isolated project funding.
Jewish education is a core theme. The foundation gave $3,971,350 to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in 2025 for Jewish education and strengthening Jewish foundations for the future in northwest Russia, along with cemetery preservation, emergency shelter, Student to Student, Israel.Cleveland Next, and community security initiatives. It also supported the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland with $622,020 in 2025 for leadership grants, camping scholarships, an educator mission to Poland, the Jewish Experiential Education Award, and IsraelNow Cleveland Trip. Youth engagement and camp access are another clear thread. In 2023, Bnai Brith Youth Organization Inc received $3,155,000 for general support and the Ohio Northern Region, and the Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio received $464,101 in 2025 for its camping outreach program. Campus Jewish life appears through Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, which received $335,000 in 2024 for Hillel Case, Hillel Russia, general support, and student mental health and wellness. The foundation also funded Jewish Agency for Israel - North American Council for the ShinShinim program.
$7.5M
$247.9M
$16.5M
$8.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $63K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$63K
MOZELLE JACKSON
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Concentrated giving with a few dominant, repeat beneficiaries (notably the Jewish Federation of Cleveland) alongside numerous mid‑sized recurring grants to local schools, youth programs, and cultural organizations; combines multi‑year/large gifts for major institutional partners with program‑specific grants for camps, trips, and targeted community services.
Notable grantees: Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, Bnai Brith Youth Organization, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Musical Arts Association (Cleveland Orchestra)
Typical grants cluster around a $10,000 p25, $25,000 median, and $63,000 p75, but the portfolio also includes multimillion-dollar institutional awards. The recent record shows repeat funding to several recipients across multiple years, especially Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio, Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, United Way of Greater Cleveland, and Musical Arts Association. That points to sustained commitments rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is a private foundation, and the grant list shows both general support and program-specific support, with no evidence here of individual grants or program-related investments.
Giving is highly concentrated in Ohio, which accounts for 87% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Cleveland and Cleveland Heights appear often, along with Pepper Pike and Beachwood. The foundation also funds organizations in Washington, DC, and New York, NY, but the overall pattern is local, with many awards staying in the Cleveland area. Recipient-country data shows all grants in the US.
The foundation supports Jewish institutions, especially Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, Jewish day schools, Hillel, and Jewish campus and youth programs. It also funds Cleveland-area civic, educational, and arts organizations such as Cleveland State University Foundation, Friends of Breakthrough Schools, Musical Arts Association, and United Way of Greater Cleveland.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $63,000 at the 75th percentile. The distribution still includes much larger awards, including several multimillion-dollar grants to Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
Yes. While most grants stay in Ohio, the foundation also supports organizations in Washington, DC, and New York, NY. Recent examples include Bnai Brith Youth Organization Inc, Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Jewish Agency for Israel - North American Council, and Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.
Yes. Jewish Federation of Cleveland appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio, Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, United Way of Greater Cleveland, and Musical Arts Association also appear more than once. That suggests ongoing relationships with selected institutions.
The recent grants include general support, capital campaign support, scholarships, emergency and shelter-related funding, campus-life support, and program expansion support. Examples in the record include general support for several institutions, camping scholarships through the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, and student mental health and wellness funding for Hillel.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,971,350 | 2025 | JEWISH EDUCATION AND STRENGTHENING JEWISH FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE IN NORTHWEST RUSSIA, CEMETERY PRESERVATION, EMERGENCY SHELTER, STUDENT TO STUDENT, ISRAEL.CLEVELAND NEXT, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, JHUB, KIBBUTZ KISSUFIM CAMP WISE RESPITE EXPERIENCE, MOISHE HOUSE CLEVELAND, YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER TRIP TO ISRAEL WITH BIRTHRIGHT, BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL, CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS |
| JEWISH EDUCATION CENTER OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | $622,020 | 2025 | LEADERSHIP GRANTS, BUSES FOR NAFTALI BENNETT TEEN EVENT, CAMPING SCHOLARSHIPS, EDUCATOR MISSION TO POLAND WITH CLASSROOMS WITHOUT BORDERS, JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AWARD, ISRAELNOW CLEVELAND TRIP, ALTERNATE TRIP, OR 8TH GRADE ENGAGEMENT, AWARD IN JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $553,000 | 2025 | ASSOCIATION OF RAPE CRISIS CENTERS IN ISRAEL, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, ISRAEL ACTION NETWORK, COUNSELING CENTER FOR WOMEN, ISRAEL: GENERAL SUPPORT, KVUTZAT REUT: ANNUAL SUPPORT, HADASSAH ACADEMIC COLLEGE EMERGENCY NEEDS AND SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT, JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE, SHURAT HADIN FOR LAW CENTER AND LEGAL WAR ROOM, GIL TROY PUBLICATION, TEL-HAI ACADEMIC COLLEGE |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $464,101 | 2025 | CAMPING OUTREACH PROGRAM |
| JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $301,000 | 2025 | NEEDS-BASED RABBINIC SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE OF NORTH AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $130,000 | 2025 | CAMPAIGN, UNITED WAY 211 CENTER |
| CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | MUSICAL PATHWAYS FELLOWSHIP |
| CLEVELAND HILLEL FOUNDATION INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $97,500 | 2025 | SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $92,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE | KENT, OH | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM |
| JTA-MJL NEW CORP | NEW YORK, NY | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ORT AMERICA INC | BEACHWOOD, OH | $81,000 | 2025 | CLEVELAND: GENERAL SUPPORT, GENERAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR AT-RISK YOUTH AT KFAR SILVER, ISRAEL |
| COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND |
| CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $55,000 | 2025 | PRE-PROFESSIONAL HEALTH STUDENT FUND, OFFICE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT & EXPLORATION, MATH CORPS |
| YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $55,000 | 2025 | EARLY LEARNING CENTER |
| RAINEY INSTITUTE | CLEVELAND, OH | $52,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, GENERAL ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JPRO NETWORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | REGISTRATION FOR JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND AND OTHER CLEVELAND-AREA JEWISH PROFESSIONALS |
| GREAT LAKES THEATER FESTIVAL INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT RESIDENCY PROGRAMMING & WRITING CONTEST |
| CLEVELAND SCHOOL OF THE ARTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES | ROCKY RIVER, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | THEATER DEPARTMENT |
| GREAT LAKES MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY | CLEVELAND, OH | $41,000 | 2025 | ROBOTICS INITIATIVE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IMAHELPS TRAINING TRIP, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $35,000 | 2025 | CELEBRATION OF FAMILY EXHIBITION, STOP THE HATE |
| CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | THEATRE EDUCATION |
| ABRAHAM FUND INITIATIVES INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, LIVING IN ONE LAND ANTI-RACISM PROGRAM |
| UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM | NEW YORK, NY | $19,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OF CLEVELAND INC | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, STAFF AND VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
| CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY ACCESS EVENTS |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POSITIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | KENT, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | JEWISH STUDIES CELEBRATION EVENT |
| THE CENTERS | CLEVELAND, OH | $13,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, EL BARRIO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |
| CHABAD OF UNIVERSITY CIRCLE | CLEVELAND, OH | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRONT STEPS HOUSING AND SERVICES | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PREVENTION SERVICES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING STABILITY |
| FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTEMPORARY ANTISEMITISM INITIATIVE |
| MATAN B SAYSER INC | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHOES AND CLOTHES FOR KIDS INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER CLEVELAND CONGREGATIONS INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PIANO INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN OHIO | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GREATER CLEVELAND INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAMS |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SIEGAL LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM |
| CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ENVISION EXCELLENCE IN STEM EDUCATION | MENTOR, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | TEACHING INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN STEM (TIES): SUPPORT FOR CLEVELAND EDUCATORS, SLECOP CONVENING |
| NEAR WEST THEATRE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IDEASTREAM | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DOBAMA THEATRE INC | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,838,753 | 2024 | JEWISH PROGRAMMING IN ST. PETERSBURG, SUMMER CAMP IN ST. PETERSBURG, ONWARD ISRAEL, CEMETERY PRESERVATION, CLEVELAND STANDS WITH ISRAEL, HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS INITIATIVE, JHUB, ISRAEL AT 75, MARCH FOR ISRAEL BUSES, MOISHE HOUSE CLEVELAND, OHIO JEWISH COMMUNITIES MISSION TO ISRAEL, BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL, CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS |
| JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL - NORTH AMERICAN COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $756,000 | 2024 | SHINSHINIM PROGRAM |
| JEWISH EDUCATION CENTER OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | $617,432 | 2024 | CAMPING SCHOLARSHIPS, JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AWARD, ISRAELNOW CLEVELAND TRIP |
| HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $335,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR HILLEL CASE AND HILLEL RUSSIA, GENERAL SUPPORT, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM |
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$3,971,350JEWISH EDUCATION AND STRENGTHENING JEWISH FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE IN NORTHWEST RUSSIA, CEMETERY PRESERVATION, EMERGENCY SHELTER, STUDENT TO STUDENT, ISRAEL.CLEVELAND NEXT, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, JHUB, KIBBUTZ KISSUFIM CAMP WISE RESPITE EXPERIENCE, MOISHE HOUSE CLEVELAND, YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER TRIP TO ISRAEL WITH BIRTHRIGHT, BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL, CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS
LEADERSHIP GRANTS, BUSES FOR NAFTALI BENNETT TEEN EVENT, CAMPING SCHOLARSHIPS, EDUCATOR MISSION TO POLAND WITH CLASSROOMS WITHOUT BORDERS, JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AWARD, ISRAELNOW CLEVELAND TRIP, ALTERNATE TRIP, OR 8TH GRADE ENGAGEMENT, AWARD IN JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION OF RAPE CRISIS CENTERS IN ISRAEL, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, ISRAEL ACTION NETWORK, COUNSELING CENTER FOR WOMEN, ISRAEL: GENERAL SUPPORT, KVUTZAT REUT: ANNUAL SUPPORT, HADASSAH ACADEMIC COLLEGE EMERGENCY NEEDS AND SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT, JEWISH PEOPLE POLICY INSTITUTE, SHURAT HADIN FOR LAW CENTER AND LEGAL WAR ROOM, GIL TROY PUBLICATION, TEL-HAI ACADEMIC COLLEGE
CAMPING OUTREACH PROGRAM
JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA
$301,000NEEDS-BASED RABBINIC SCHOLARSHIPS
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR SHALOM HARTMAN INSTITUTE
CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
$100,000MUSICAL PATHWAYS FELLOWSHIP
SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM
GENERAL SUPPORT, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM
CLEVELAND: GENERAL SUPPORT, GENERAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR AT-RISK YOUTH AT KFAR SILVER, ISRAEL
PRE-PROFESSIONAL HEALTH STUDENT FUND, OFFICE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT & EXPLORATION, MATH CORPS
REGISTRATION FOR JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND AND OTHER CLEVELAND-AREA JEWISH PROFESSIONALS
CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT RESIDENCY PROGRAMMING & WRITING CONTEST
CLEVELAND SCHOOL OF THE ARTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
$50,000THEATER DEPARTMENT
ROBOTICS INITIATIVE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IMAHELPS TRAINING TRIP, GENERAL SUPPORT
MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
$35,000CELEBRATION OF FAMILY EXHIBITION, STOP THE HATE
GENERAL SUPPORT, LIVING IN ONE LAND ANTI-RACISM PROGRAM
UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM
$19,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT, STAFF AND VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF CLEVELAND
$15,000COMMUNITY ACCESS EVENTS
POSITIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHABAD OF UNIVERSITY CIRCLE
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PREVENTION SERVICES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING STABILITY
FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES INC
$10,000CONTEMPORARY ANTISEMITISM INITIATIVE
MATAN B SAYSER INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAMS
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$10,000SIEGAL LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM
TEACHING INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN STEM (TIES): SUPPORT FOR CLEVELAND EDUCATORS, SLECOP CONVENING
IDEASTREAM
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
DOBAMA THEATRE INC
$7,500YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$3,838,753JEWISH PROGRAMMING IN ST. PETERSBURG, SUMMER CAMP IN ST. PETERSBURG, ONWARD ISRAEL, CEMETERY PRESERVATION, CLEVELAND STANDS WITH ISRAEL, HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS INITIATIVE, JHUB, ISRAEL AT 75, MARCH FOR ISRAEL BUSES, MOISHE HOUSE CLEVELAND, OHIO JEWISH COMMUNITIES MISSION TO ISRAEL, BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL, CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS
CAMPING SCHOLARSHIPS, JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AWARD, ISRAELNOW CLEVELAND TRIP
SUPPORT FOR HILLEL CASE AND HILLEL RUSSIA, GENERAL SUPPORT, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM