The Ratner Family Foundation is a Greater Cleveland-focused funder that prioritizes Jewish life and education, local arts and cultural institutions, and civic/community nonprofits. They give both large, visible gifts (annual funds and event sponsorships) to citywide organizations and repeat support for Jewish day schools, refugee relief and Holocaust education. Many grants are for gala/event underwriting, annual fund support, or capital/campaign contributions rather than restricted program pilots.
The Albert B & Audrey G Ratner Family Foundation gives at a mix of neighborhood, Jewish community, and civic nonprofit levels, with one of its clearest patterns being repeat support for Cleveland institutions and Jewish education. In the recent grant list, the largest awards went to United Way of Greater Cleveland for annual funds and to the Musical Arts Association for Cleveland Orchestra gala support, showing a willingness to back both broad local infrastructure and major cultural fundraising. The foundation also appears often in school and community settings. It supported Ginn Academy and the Ginn Foundation, along with The Lillian & Betty Ratner School, Fuchs Mizrachi School, and Heights Schools Foundation. On the Jewish community side, it backed Park Synagogue, Kol Israel Foundation Inc, Ofeq Institute Inc, and Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Its giving also reaches civic and public-interest groups such as The City Club of Cleveland and Cleveland Police Foundation, plus food-relief and heritage institutions including Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc and Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Education is a recurring thread in the foundation’s recent grants. It gave $40,000 to Friends of Ginn Academy Corporation for life coach salaries and another $40,000 to Ginn Foundation for annual fund support, while also providing $23,600 to The Lillian & Betty Ratner School for its 2023 gala and $10,000 to Ginn Foundation for the Ginn College Tour 2023. Jewish life and heritage are another visible focus. Grants included $52,000 to Park Synagogue for the Crown Society and Ukraine resettlement project, $50,000 to Kol Israel Foundation Inc for the Roll with Kol fundraiser, and $15,000 to Chamah for needs for Jewish refugees in Moldova. The foundation also supported the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage with $22,500 for the 2023 Maltz Heritage Award Celebration. Civic and community-serving organizations also appear in the grant list. The City Club of Cleveland received $25,000 for Guardians of Free Speech, and Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc received $10,000 for the Harvest for Hunger campaign 2023.
Typical grants sit in a moderate range: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $4,700, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent list shows both small support grants and larger annual-fund or event gifts, with several awards clustered at $10,000 and above. The foundation also returns to the same organizations across years, including United Way of Greater Cleveland, Musical Arts Association, Ginn Foundation, and The Crew Foundation. Its grantmaking is through a family foundation structure, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. No unsolicited application process is stated in the provided data.
$0
$8K
$5K
$145
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated local giving with several large flagship gifts (e.g., United Way, Musical Arts) alongside recurring, smaller annual/event grants to a core group of Cleveland nonprofits; a preference for underwriting galas, annual funds, capital campaigns and repeat grantees rather than many small one-off project awards.
Notable grantees: United Way of Greater Cleveland, Musical Arts Association / Blossom (Blossom Summer Soirée), Park Synagogue, Friends of Ginn Academy / Ginn Foundation, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage / US Holocaust Memorial Museum
Giving is strongly concentrated in Ohio, which accounts for 74% of grants, with Cleveland appearing repeatedly in the recipient list. Other Ohio recipients include Pepper Pike, Beachwood, Wickliffe, University Heights, and Parma. Outside Ohio, the foundation gave to organizations in Washington, DC; New York, NY; and East Lansing, MI. All recorded grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
Recent grants show repeated support for Jewish community institutions, Cleveland arts organizations, schools, civic nonprofits, and food-relief groups. Examples include Park Synagogue, Musical Arts Association, Ginn Foundation, The City Club of Cleveland, and Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc.
Yes. The recent grant list includes repeat recipients across years, such as United Way of Greater Cleveland, Musical Arts Association, Ginn Foundation, The Crew Foundation, and Ofeq Institute Inc.
The distribution centers on modest gifts: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $4,700, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent list also includes larger awards for annual funds, galas, and campaigns.
Ohio receives 74% of grants, and Cleveland is the most common recipient city in the recent list. Other Ohio recipient locations include Pepper Pike, Beachwood, Wickliffe, University Heights, and Parma.
Yes. The provided foundation profile indicates that it funds individuals, alongside nonprofit organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEVELAND POPS ORCHESTRA | BEACHWOOD, OH | $2,250 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| GINN FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $40,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2024 | 2023 CLEVELAND LUNCHEON |
| OFEQ INSTITUTE INC | WICKLIFFE, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023 ANNUAL FUND |
| IN MOTION | BEACHWOOD, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | BUILDING FOR OUR FUTURE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE LILLIAN & BETTY RATNER SCHOOL | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $23,600 | 2024 | 2023 RATNER SCHOOL GALA |
| MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $22,500 | 2024 | 2023 MALTZ HERITAGE AWARD CELEBRATION |
| CHAMAH | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | NEEDS FOR THE JEWISH REFUGEES IN MALDOVA |
| OFEQ INSTITUTE INC | WICKLIFFE, OH | $12,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | BUILDING MK GARDEN |
| THE CREW FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | UNIVERSITY HTS, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | THE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION FUND |
| THE CITY CLUB OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | STATE OF THE COUNTY, STATE OF THE SCHOOLS |
| GINN FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | GINN COLLEGE TOUR 2023 |
| THE CREW FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| GLOBAL CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | DAVID FLESHLER SCHOLARSHIP |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | HARVEST FOR HUNGER CAMPAIGN 2023 |
| CLEVELAND BALLET | CLEVELAND, OH | $9,500 | 2024 | THE RICHARD W. & PATRICIA R. POGUE CLEVELAND BALLET ENDOWMENT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF RABBANICAL COLLEGE TELZSTONE | LAKEWOOD, NJ | $8,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $6,500 | 2024 | LAURA & ALVIN SIEGAL COLLEGE OF JUDAIC STUDIES |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $6,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| HANDS TOGETHER INC | SPRINGFIELD, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| VALUES-IN-ACTION FOUNDATION | MAYFIELD, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | 2023 CELEBRATION OF GOODNESS EVENT |
| CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL HALL OF FAME | CLEVELAND HTS, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | CIHF INDUCTIONS |
| CLEVELAND FREEDOM PROJECT | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| NF NORWARD | DETROIT, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | CARNEGIE CONNECTS |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| FRIENDS OF BREAKTHROUGH SCHOOLS | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | SIGNAL CLEVELAND ANNUAL FUND |
| CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $4,700 | 2024 | RADIANCE 2023 |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $4,505 | 2024 | SHAKING WITH LAUGHTER 2023 |
| THE CREW FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $4,000 | 2024 | STUDENT SUMMER TRAINING PROGRAM |
| PIANO CLEVELAND | SHAKER HTS, OH | $3,500 | 2024 | CLAIR DE LUNE EVENT |
| THE METRO HEALTH FOUNDATION INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,500 | 2024 | CLEVELAND HERITAGE MEDAL 2023 |
| MUSICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,400 | 2024 | BLOSSOM SUMMER SOIREE |
| HISTORIC CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE CREW FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $2,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| MINYAN ONEG SHABBAT | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE PARENTS CIRCLE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,000 | 2024 | SIGNAL CLEVELAND SPRING CAMPAIGN |
| NONE TOO FRAGILE | AKRON, OH | $1,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| URBAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL BENEFIT |
| UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,000 | 2024 | PLYMOUTH CHURCH OF SHAKER HTS. |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INC | AMERICUS, GA | $1,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| TALMUDICAL ACADEMY OF BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $750 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $210,000 | 2023 | 2020 AND 2021 ANNUAL FUNDS |
| MUSICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $122,250 | 2023 | 2022 CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA GALA |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $105,000 | 2023 | 2019 ANNUAL FUND |
CLEVELAND POPS ORCHESTRA
$2,250ANNUAL FUND
GINN FOUNDATION
$40,000ANNUAL FUND
OFEQ INSTITUTE INC
$25,0002023 ANNUAL FUND
THE LILLIAN & BETTY RATNER SCHOOL
$23,6002023 RATNER SCHOOL GALA
MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
$22,5002023 MALTZ HERITAGE AWARD CELEBRATION
CHAMAH
$15,000NEEDS FOR THE JEWISH REFUGEES IN MALDOVA
OFEQ INSTITUTE INC
$12,500ANNUAL FUND
GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE
$10,000BUILDING MK GARDEN
THE CREW FOUNDATION
$10,000ANNUAL FUND
HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$10,000THE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION FUND
GINN FOUNDATION
$10,000GINN COLLEGE TOUR 2023
THE CREW FOUNDATION
$10,000ANNUAL FUND
THE RICHARD W. & PATRICIA R. POGUE CLEVELAND BALLET ENDOWMENT
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$6,500LAURA & ALVIN SIEGAL COLLEGE OF JUDAIC STUDIES
VALUES-IN-ACTION FOUNDATION
$5,0002023 CELEBRATION OF GOODNESS EVENT
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL HALL OF FAME
$5,000CIHF INDUCTIONS
CLEVELAND FREEDOM PROJECT
$5,000ANNUAL FUND
NF NORWARD
$5,000ANNUAL FUND
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE
$5,000CARNEGIE CONNECTS
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$4,505SHAKING WITH LAUGHTER 2023
THE CREW FOUNDATION
$4,000STUDENT SUMMER TRAINING PROGRAM
HISTORIC CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY
$2,500ANNUAL FUND
THE CREW FOUNDATION
$2,500ANNUAL FUND
MINYAN ONEG SHABBAT
$2,500ANNUAL FUND
NONE TOO FRAGILE
$1,000ANNUAL FUND
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$1,000PLYMOUTH CHURCH OF SHAKER HTS.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INC
$1,000ANNUAL FUND
TALMUDICAL ACADEMY OF BALTIMORE
$750ANNUAL FUND
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$210,0002020 AND 2021 ANNUAL FUNDS
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$105,0002019 ANNUAL FUND