The George Gund Foundation concentrates its recent giving on a small number of large, targeted investments in health and local education initiatives. Major grants support retinal degenerative disease research and Cleveland-centered higher education and scholarship programs, often channeled through established institutions and local intermediaries. The foundation appears to prioritize deep impact in its home region rather than broad, dispersed giving.
Focus Areas
Retinal degenerative disease research (medical research into blindness)Undergraduate living-learning community development at Cleveland State UniversityCitywide scholarship and postsecondary access initiatives in Cleveland (e.g., Say Yes to Education)Strategic partnerships with local institutions and community foundations
Who They Fund
Cleveland residents and neighborhoods (including specific neighborhoods: Shaker Square, Wade Park, southeast expansion)Cleveland Metropolitan School District studentsSay Yes scholars / postsecondary students at Cuyahoga Community College
About George Gund Foundation
A $2.75 million grant to Cleveland State University Foundation for a living-learning community captures the George Gund Foundation’s recent pattern: large, targeted awards tied to specific civic and educational infrastructure in Cleveland. The foundation’s giving also reaches beyond higher education into scholarship pipelines, neighborhood development, and medical research, including repeated support for retinal degenerative disease work through Foundation Fighting Blindness. Several of its biggest awards flow through established local intermediaries such as Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, and College Now Greater Cleveland, pointing to a strategy built around institutional partners that can move citywide initiatives. The grantee mix suggests a funder that backs long-horizon projects as well as operating support, with grants used to strengthen organizations already working on the region’s education, health, and community-development priorities. Its recent portfolio includes both initiative-based funding and general support, alongside a few unusually large commitments that anchor multi-year efforts in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
What George Gund Foundation Funds
In postsecondary access and student success, the foundation gave $2.5 million to Cleveland Foundation for the Say Yes to Education Cleveland Scholarship fund and $1,021,500 to College Now Greater Cleveland Inc for postsecondary success coaches for Say Yes scholars. It also backed the Say Yes Scholars Program at Cuyahoga Community College with a $500,000 grant to College Now Greater Cleveland Inc. In community development, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress received $1.3 million for operating support and another $1.2 million the following year for the same purpose, while New Village Corporation got $500,000 for the Shaker Square project. Health and harm-reduction work appears in a $750,000 grant to Cleveland Foundation for the Say Yes Integrated Health Initiative. Civic engagement also shows up in a $500,000 grant to Ohio Organizing Collaborative The for voter engagement.
How George Gund Foundation Gives
Typical grants cluster at a meaningful mid-to-large scale: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. The recent grants list shows both one-time awards and repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, including Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc, Cleveland Foundation, College Now Greater Cleveland Inc, Fund for Our Economic Future, and Ohio Progressive Collaborative Education Fund. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it also makes program-related investments and funds individuals. Its grants program includes multiple open application programs and several grants of operating support, project support, and initiative-based funding.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$29.8M
Total Assets
$555.9M
Total Revenue
$89.8M
Total Expenses
$40.6M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $25K and $100K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$100K
Geographic Reach
Local19 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Deep Analysis
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a very small set of organizations (few grants that are large in size), including repeat funding to a medical research nonprofit and multi-million gifts to local higher-education and community scholarship efforts.
Funding Style
operating support (general unrestricted)capacity building and expansionscholarship funding and college access supportcapital expansion / infrastructure grantsmulti-year / initiative-based funding
Notable grantees: Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc., Cleveland State University Foundation, Cleveland Foundation
Topics
college access, retention, and postsecondary success (Say Yes Scholars, Cuyahoga CC, First Year Cleveland)comprehensive community development and neighborhood revitalization (Cleveland-focused initiatives, Shaker Square, Wade Park)integrated community health and harm reduction (Say Yes Integrated Health Initiative, syringe exchange, MetroHealth partnerships)civic engagement and healthy democracy / voter engagementracial equity and racial justice initiativesclean energy and climate transition (Power A Clean Future Ohio, senior climate advisor)retinal degenerative disease research
Where George Gund Foundation Makes Grants
Giving is highly concentrated in Ohio: 82% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also OH. Cleveland appears repeatedly across the recent grants list, along with other Ohio locations such as Columbus and Youngstown. Outside Ohio, recent grants also reached Columbia, Maryland; Washington, DC; San Francisco, California; and Los Angeles, California. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Frequently Asked Questions About George Gund Foundation
What kinds of work does The George Gund Foundation support most often?
Recent grants center on education, neighborhood development, health, civic engagement, and retinal degenerative disease research. Examples include support for the Say Yes scholarship pipeline, Cleveland neighborhood projects, the Say Yes Integrated Health Initiative, voter engagement, and repeated grants for retinal degenerative disease research.
Does The George Gund Foundation fund organizations outside Cleveland?
Yes, but its giving is still heavily concentrated in Ohio. The recipient list includes Ohio cities such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Youngstown, and also shows grants to organizations in Columbia, Maryland; Washington, DC; San Francisco, California; and Los Angeles, California.
What is a typical grant size?
The grant-size distribution is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants range much higher for major initiatives, including multimillion-dollar awards for Cleveland State University Foundation and Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc.
Does the foundation make repeated grants to the same organizations?
Yes. The recent grants list includes multiple awards to Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc, Cleveland Foundation, College Now Greater Cleveland Inc, Fund for Our Economic Future, and Ohio Progressive Collaborative Education Fund across more than one year.
Can organizations submit unsolicited applications?
Yes. Several active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, including Social Justice, Creative Culture and Arts, Public Education, Climate and Environmental Justice, and Economic Justice and Community Power.
Latest 990 Filing
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from George Gund Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: $10K – $100K
The George Gund Foundation General Grantmaking Program
Climate justiceCulture and artsEconomic justice+4 more
Who can apply: Organizations and projects must fit the Foundation's grantmaking priorities and Grant Guidelines. The scraped content does not provide the complete eligibility requirements.
Deadline: November 15, 2026; March 15, 2027; August 15, 2027. Proposals may also be submitted at any time for possible consideration between board meetings, particularly requests up to $100,000.
climate changeclean energysustainable transportation+6 more
Who can apply: Organizations with a presence in Cleveland and/or Ohio. Successful applicants connect their work to one or more issue areas in the Foundation’s What We Believe statement. The program does not currently prioritize environmental education, youth or leadership development in the environmental field, or land trusts without a local water-specific focus.
Deadline: Winter meeting: November 15; Summer meeting: March 15; Autumn meeting: August 15.
economic mobilitygood jobsaffordable housing+4 more
Who can apply: Local organizations whose work has a direct impact on the neighborhoods and residents of the City of Cleveland. The program particularly values work benefiting marginalized groups and organizations with leadership representative of the communities served. It does not currently prioritize direct service organizations for specific industries/sectors, pitch competitions, standalone job readiness and training programs, or direct grants to community development corporations for general operating support.
Deadline: Winter meeting: November 15; Summer meeting: March 15; Autumn meeting: August 15.
climate changeclean energysustainable transportation+8 more
Who can apply: Organizations with a presence in Cleveland and/or Ohio; work or policy advocacy must focus on climate-related issues and connect to one or more issue areas in the Foundation’s What We Believe statement. The Foundation does not prioritize environmental education, youth or leadership development in the environmental field, or land trusts without a local water-specific focus.
Deadline: Proposals are considered three times a year. Visible deadlines: November 15, 2026 and March 15, 2027. The Foundation also welcomes applications at any time and may consider requests up to $100,000 between board meetings.
social justicepoverty reductionfamily economic stability+9 more
Who can apply: Organizations advancing equity for historically marginalized people and connecting their work to one or more issue areas in the Foundation’s What We Believe statement. The program supports public policies and direct-impact work related to basic needs and justice systems.
Deadline: Proposal deadlines: July 15, November 15, and March 15 (three review cycles per year).
arts organizationsoperating supportarts administration and leadership+3 more
Who can apply: Arts organizations located in or making a direct impact in the City of Cleveland. The program does not currently prioritize individual artists, art acquisitions, art exhibitions, theater or film productions, organizations not working in the City of Cleveland, or art education initiatives not primarily serving Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
Deadline: Winter meeting: November 15; Summer meeting: March 15; Autumn meeting: August 15.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Recent Grants
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
Recipient
Location
Amount
Year
Purpose
CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
CLEVELAND, OH
$2,750,000
2025
LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS INC
COLUMBIA, MD
$2,000,000
2025
RETINAL DEGENERATIVE DISEASE RESEARCH
CLEVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRESS
CLEVELAND, OH
$1,215,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
OHIO PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION FUND
COLUMBUS, OH
$1,000,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
ENERGY FOUNDATION
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$650,000
2025
OHIO KEY STATES PROGRAM
TIDES FOUNDATION
LOS ANGELES, CA
$500,000
2025
HEALTHY DEMOCRACY FUND
OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
COLUMBUS, OH
$440,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$400,000
2025
COLLEGE ACCESS ADVISING SERVICES, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND RETENTION SERVICES FOR CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS.
GREATER CLEVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS ASSOCIATION
CLEVELAND, OH
$366,000
2025
CLEVELAND VOTES OPERATING SUPPORT
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY
INDEPENDENCE, OH
$350,000
2025
PRE4CLE OPERATING SUPPORT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
CLEVELAND, OH
$300,000
2025
FIRST CALL CUYAHOGA.
URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, OH
$300,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CENTERS
CLEVELAND, OH
$275,000
2025
SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AND INTEGRATED HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES
WASHINGTON, DC
$270,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG LATINO NETWORK
CLEVELAND, OH
$250,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
UNION MILES DEVELOPMENT CORP
CLEVELAND, OH
$250,000
2025
SOUTHEAST EXPANSION
DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ALLIANCE
CLEVELAND, OH
$250,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
CITY CLUB OF CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, OH
$250,000
2025
GUARDIANS OF FREE SPEECH CAPACITY GRANT.
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
CLEVELAND, OH
$250,000
2025
WADE PARK COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTER.
OHIO VOICE
COLUMBUS, OH
$236,388
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
WFL COLLECTIVE
WASHINGTON, DC
$200,000
2025
9410 HOUGH PROJECT.
CLEVELAND SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS
CLEVELAND, OH
$200,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
CLEVELAND, OH
$200,000
2025
SENIOR CLIMATE ADVISOR POSITION.
ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS
CLEVELAND, OH
$200,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
UNITED BLACK FUND OF GREATER CLEVELAND INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$200,000
2025
CLEVELAND BRANCH NAACP.
COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$200,000
2025
SAY YES CLEVELAND TITLE IV-E CONSULTANT STUDY.
OHIO VOICE
COLUMBUS, OH
$175,000
2025
OPAWL-BUILDING AAPI FEMINIST LEADERSHIP IN OHIO.
OHIO PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION FUND
COLUMBUS, OH
$169,722
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED
CLEVELAND, OH
$150,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY
CLEVELAND, OH
$150,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
CLEVELAND, OH
$150,000
2025
ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE AND FINANCIAL STABILITY PLAN.
OHIO VOICE
COLUMBUS, OH
$150,000
2025
HONESTY FOR OHIO EDUCATION OPERATING SUPPORT.
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
CLEVELAND, OH
$150,000
2025
JUSTICE AND HEALTH EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES
RAILS TO TRAILS CONSERVANCY
WASHINGTON, DC
$150,000
2025
INDUSTRIAL HEARTLAND TRAILS COALITION AND MIDWEST OFFICE OPERATING SUPPORT.
CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD OF OHIO
COLUMBUS, OH
$150,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
ONE FAIR WAGE INC
CAMBRIDGE, MA
$150,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT AND THE CLEVELAND HIGH ROAD KITCHENS PROGRAM.
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$150,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
OHIO WOMEN'S ALLIANCE
COLUMBUS, OH
$150,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP
GREENBELT, MD
$145,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
EDWINS LEADERSHIP AND RESTAURANT INSTITUTE
CLEVELAND, OH
$130,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
BIKE CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, OH
$130,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
IDEASTREAM
CLEVELAND, OH
$125,000
2025
COMMUNITY INTEREST PROGRAMMING.
ESPERANZA INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$125,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER
WASHINGTON, DC
$125,000
2025
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY
INDEPENDENCE, OH
$125,000
2025
INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES.
MAGNOLIA CLUBHOUSE INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$125,000
2025
CAMPUS EXPANSION COMPLETION.
INSTITUTE ON TAXATION AND ECONOMIC POLICY
WASHINGTON, DC
$125,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
RID-ALL FOUNDATION INC
OAKWOOD VILLAGE, OH
$125,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
POLICY MATTERS OHIO
CLEVELAND, OH
$125,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$125,000
2025
OPERATING SUPPORT, CULTURAL ENSEMBLES, STRATEGIC PLANNING AND CONSULTANTS.
CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$2,750,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS INC
$2,000,000
COLUMBIA, MD2025
RETINAL DEGENERATIVE DISEASE RESEARCH
CLEVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRESS
$1,215,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
OHIO PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION FUND
$1,000,000
COLUMBUS, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
ENERGY FOUNDATION
$650,000
SAN FRANCISCO, CA2025
OHIO KEY STATES PROGRAM
TIDES FOUNDATION
$500,000
LOS ANGELES, CA2025
HEALTHY DEMOCRACY FUND
OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
$440,000
COLUMBUS, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC
$400,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
COLLEGE ACCESS ADVISING SERVICES, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND RETENTION SERVICES FOR CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS.
GREATER CLEVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS ASSOCIATION
$366,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
CLEVELAND VOTES OPERATING SUPPORT
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY
$350,000
INDEPENDENCE, OH2025
PRE4CLE OPERATING SUPPORT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
$300,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
FIRST CALL CUYAHOGA.
URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$300,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CENTERS
$275,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AND INTEGRATED HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES
$270,000
WASHINGTON, DC2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG LATINO NETWORK
$250,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
UNION MILES DEVELOPMENT CORP
$250,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
SOUTHEAST EXPANSION
DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ALLIANCE
$250,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
CITY CLUB OF CLEVELAND
$250,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
GUARDIANS OF FREE SPEECH CAPACITY GRANT.
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$250,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
WADE PARK COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTER.
OHIO VOICE
$236,388
COLUMBUS, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT
WFL COLLECTIVE
$200,000
WASHINGTON, DC2025
9410 HOUGH PROJECT.
CLEVELAND SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS
$200,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
$200,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
SENIOR CLIMATE ADVISOR POSITION.
ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS
$200,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
UNITED BLACK FUND OF GREATER CLEVELAND INC
$200,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
CLEVELAND BRANCH NAACP.
COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC
$200,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
SAY YES CLEVELAND TITLE IV-E CONSULTANT STUDY.
OHIO VOICE
$175,000
COLUMBUS, OH2025
OPAWL-BUILDING AAPI FEMINIST LEADERSHIP IN OHIO.
OHIO PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION FUND
$169,722
COLUMBUS, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED
$150,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY
$150,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$150,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE AND FINANCIAL STABILITY PLAN.
OHIO VOICE
$150,000
COLUMBUS, OH2025
HONESTY FOR OHIO EDUCATION OPERATING SUPPORT.
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
$150,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
JUSTICE AND HEALTH EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES
RAILS TO TRAILS CONSERVANCY
$150,000
WASHINGTON, DC2025
INDUSTRIAL HEARTLAND TRAILS COALITION AND MIDWEST OFFICE OPERATING SUPPORT.
CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD OF OHIO
$150,000
COLUMBUS, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
ONE FAIR WAGE INC
$150,000
CAMBRIDGE, MA2025
OPERATING SUPPORT AND THE CLEVELAND HIGH ROAD KITCHENS PROGRAM.
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INC
$150,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
OHIO WOMEN'S ALLIANCE
$150,000
COLUMBUS, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP
$145,000
GREENBELT, MD2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
EDWINS LEADERSHIP AND RESTAURANT INSTITUTE
$130,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
BIKE CLEVELAND
$130,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
IDEASTREAM
$125,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
COMMUNITY INTEREST PROGRAMMING.
ESPERANZA INC
$125,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER
$125,000
WASHINGTON, DC2025
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY
$125,000
INDEPENDENCE, OH2025
INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES.
MAGNOLIA CLUBHOUSE INC
$125,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
CAMPUS EXPANSION COMPLETION.
INSTITUTE ON TAXATION AND ECONOMIC POLICY
$125,000
WASHINGTON, DC2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
RID-ALL FOUNDATION INC
$125,000
OAKWOOD VILLAGE, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
POLICY MATTERS OHIO
$125,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE INC
$125,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING SUPPORT, CULTURAL ENSEMBLES, STRATEGIC PLANNING AND CONSULTANTS.
