The Ratner Family Foundation is a Cleveland-focused family fund that concentrates large, strategic gifts to local health research, Jewish communal life, and civic cultural institutions. Their grants mix endowed/research support (notably Alzheimer’s discovery scholars) with major capital and campaign gifts to synagogues, the Jewish federation, and the Cleveland Museum of Art, reflecting long-term institutional investments rather than many small grants.
A defining feature of the James and Susan Ratner Family Foundation is its use of large, targeted gifts to support long-running institutional work in Cleveland-area Jewish life, health research, and civic culture. Among the clearest examples is a $300,000 capital campaign grant to Park Synagogue in Pepper Pike, paired with major support for Alzheimer’s discovery scholars at University Hospitals of Cleveland. The foundation also backs the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Campaign for Jewish Needs, reflecting a preference for core community infrastructure rather than one-off program grants. Their giving extends into civic and cultural institutions as well. The Cleveland Museum of Art received support for its resilience campaign and general operating needs, while Playhouse Square Foundation and Musical Arts Association appear among recent recipients with operating support. The pattern suggests a family fund that makes selective, strategic grants to organizations with lasting local presence, especially those serving Jewish, medical, and arts communities. Smaller annual grants also appear alongside larger commitments, but the overall profile is defined by institution-level support in Northeast Ohio, with occasional grants to organizations outside the region.
Alzheimer’s research is one of the foundation’s clearest program areas. In 2024, University Hospitals of Cleveland received $250,000 for the James & Susan Ratner Scholars in Alzheimer’s Discovery, following a $250,000 grant in 2023 for the Harrington Discovery Inst. Ratner Scholars in Alzheimer’s Discovery. Jewish communal institutions are another major area. The foundation gave $139,500 to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland for the Campaign for Jewish Needs in 2024, and it also supported Park Synagogue with a $25,000 annual fund grant in 2024. Their civic and cultural giving includes the Cleveland Museum of Art, which received $25,000 for general operating support in 2024. The Musical Arts Association also received $25,000 for general operating support that year, showing support for arts organizations with ongoing operating needs.
Typical grants cluster at the lower end of the foundation’s range: the 25th percentile is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Recent giving includes both these smaller awards and larger, targeted commitments such as a $300,000 capital campaign gift and multiple $250,000 scholar grants. The recent record also shows repeat support to the same institutions across 2023 and 2024, including several multi-year annual fund and campaign grants. The foundation is a family foundation, does not make program-related investments, and funds individuals. Grants are primarily discretionary rather than application-driven in the available data.
$1M
$2.1M
$232K
$1M
Most grants fall between $3K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Concentrated, high-dollar gifts to a small set of local institutions; mix of multi-grant relationships and one-time capital/campaign commitments, prioritizing fewer strategic investments over broad, small-dollar grantmaking.
Notable grantees: University Hospitals of Cleveland, Park Synagogue (Shaker Heights), Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Cleveland Museum of Art
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Ohio: 69% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Ohio is also the top state by grant count. Cleveland is the main recipient city, with grants to University Hospitals of Cleveland, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Cleveland Museum of Art, United Way of Greater Cleveland, and others. Pepper Pike and Columbus also appear repeatedly in the recent grants list. Outside Ohio, recent grants went to recipients in New York, Philadelphia, and the grant record shows all grants in the United States.
The recent record shows a strong emphasis on Jewish institutions, Alzheimer’s research, and civic arts organizations. It also includes immigration legal services, emergency safety-net support, and some anti-poverty and community development giving in Ohio.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including University Hospitals of Cleveland, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Park Synagogue, Cleveland Museum of Art, Musical Arts Association, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, and New Israel Fund.
The typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants range from small annual support awards to larger six-figure commitments.
Ohio receives 69% of grants, and Cleveland is the most common recipient city in the recent grants list. Pepper Pike and Columbus also appear among Ohio recipients, with additional grants to New York and Philadelphia organizations.
It gives named scholar support at University Hospitals of Cleveland. Recent grants include $250,000 for the James & Susan Ratner Scholars in Alzheimer’s Discovery in 2024 and $250,000 for the Harrington Discovery Inst. Ratner Scholars in Alzheimer’s Discovery in 2023.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND | BEACHWOOD, OH | $250,000 | 2026 | JAMES & SUSAN RATNER SCHOLARSHIP |
| CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2026 | LOBBY RENOVATION PROJECT FUND |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $60,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $35,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,938 | 2026 | HUMANITARIAN RELIEF IN GAZA FUND |
| PLAYHOUSE SQUARE FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $28,500 | 2026 | TRUSTEE APPEAL / CHAIRMAN'S CHALLENGE / DAZZLE CHALLENGE FUND |
| UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | THE CIRCLE FUND |
| HEALTH EQUITY FUND OF GREATER OHIO | AKRON, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| NEW ISRAEL FUND | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| MQ FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | TRUSTEE FUND |
| MUSICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| PLAYHOUSE SQUARE FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $22,000 | 2026 | CENTER STAGE BENEFIT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,938 | 2026 | HUMANITARIAN RELIEF IN GAZA FUND |
| MEDWISH INTERNATIONAL | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | MEDBASH SPONSORSHIP FUND |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | TRUSTEE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FUND |
| HAMMER MUSEUM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $16,667 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC | FAIRFIELD, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| ISRAAID US | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| OHIO CONTEMPORARY BALLET | SHAKER HTS, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | SPRING FUND |
| PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND | BEACHWOOD, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| HT MINISTRIES | BURTON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | BEYOND OUR WALLS FUND |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $8,333 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| VALUES-IN-ACTION FOUNDATION | MAYFIELD, OH | $5,500 | 2026 | VALUES MATTER SPONSORSHIP |
| BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| SPARKYOUTH NYC INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | SPARKYOUTH AWARDS BENEFIT |
| CLEVELAND MUSIC SCHOOL SETTLEMENT | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| HOPEWELL INN | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| ULI FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE ELLEN P HERMANSON FOUNDATION | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| CLEVELAND KIDS' BOOK BANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | COMMANDERS FOR ISRAEL'S SECURITY FUND |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | COMMANDERS FOR ISRAEL'S SECURITY FUND |
| MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | HERITAGE AWARD SPONSORSHIP FUND |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ILANA SKOFF MEMORIAL FUND |
| CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,000 | 2026 | LEE FISHER STUDENT SUCCESS FUND |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $2,677 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2026 | DEMOCRACY RISING COLLABORATIVE FUND |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD |
| DRINK LOCAL DRINK TAP INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| ORT AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| HANNA PERKINS SCHOOL | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| ACLU OF OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND
$250,000JAMES & SUSAN RATNER SCHOLARSHIP
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
$100,000LOBBY RENOVATION PROJECT FUND
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$60,000OPERATING SUPPORT FUND
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$35,000ANNUAL FUND
TRUSTEE APPEAL / CHAIRMAN'S CHALLENGE / DAZZLE CHALLENGE FUND
HEALTH EQUITY FUND OF GREATER OHIO
$25,000ANNUAL FUND
NEW ISRAEL FUND
$25,000CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
MQ FOUNDATION
$25,000ANNUAL FUND
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$25,000ANNUAL FUND
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
$25,000TRUSTEE FUND
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$20,000TRUSTEE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FUND
HAMMER MUSEUM
$16,667ANNUAL FUND
OHIO CONTEMPORARY BALLET
$10,000SPRING FUND
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND
$10,000ANNUAL FUND
HT MINISTRIES
$10,000ANNUAL FUND
US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$10,000BEYOND OUR WALLS FUND
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$8,333ANNUAL FUND
VALUES-IN-ACTION FOUNDATION
$5,500VALUES MATTER SPONSORSHIP
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH
$5,000ANNUAL FUND
THE ELLEN P HERMANSON FOUNDATION
$5,000ANNUAL FUND
MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
$5,000HERITAGE AWARD SPONSORSHIP FUND
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$5,000ILANA SKOFF MEMORIAL FUND
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$2,677ANNUAL FUND
INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE INC
$2,500DEMOCRACY RISING COLLABORATIVE FUND
DRINK LOCAL DRINK TAP INC
$2,500ANNUAL FUND
ACLU OF OHIO
$2,500ANNUAL FUND