The Higley Fund of The Cleveland Foundation concentrates philanthropy on Greater Cleveland human-services and neighborhood-strengthening efforts, prioritizing basic needs, housing stability, workforce pathways and trauma-informed supports for families and vulnerable populations. They favor local nonprofits that deliver direct services or operate place-based programs — often supporting capacity/capital projects, job-training for marginalized groups (including formerly incarcerated people), emergency food and shelter, and maternal/child and reproductive health access. Repeated multi-year or multi-grant investments signal a preference for sustained relationships with trusted service providers rather than one-off gifts.
A defining feature of the Higley Fund of the Cleveland Foundation is its repeated support for place-based human services and neighborhood strengthening in Greater Cleveland. The fund has backed direct-service organizations that address housing stability, emergency food, family support, workforce pathways, and trauma-informed care, often through capital work or program expansion rather than one-time project ideas. Recent gifts show that pattern clearly: Village of Healing received $200,000 for locations and services expansion, and YWCA of Cleveland Ohio received $170,000 for capital needs at its Greater Cleveland facilities. The fund also supports organizations serving people with complex needs, including Joseph's Home, Hitchcock Center for Women Inc, Providence House Inc, and Malachi House Inc. In workforce and reentry-related work, the fund has supported providers that connect participants to employment and self-sufficiency. Its recent grants also include support for homeownership, disability services, and programs for children and families. Across the record, the foundation appears to favor organizations rooted in Cleveland-area service delivery and long-term capacity rather than broad, statewide initiatives.
Housing-related giving is a consistent theme. Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity received $145,000 for affordable homeownership 2023-2024, while Solon Community Living Inc received $75,000 for sustainable housing for individuals with disabilities. The fund also backs shelter and supportive housing work: Joseph's Home received $125,000 for a renovation and relocation project, and Malachi House Inc received $30,000 for general support. Food access is another clear area. Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio Inc received $165,000 for feeding families in times of need, Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland received $30,000 for hunger relief and food rescue, and Salvation Army received $25,000 for its emergency food program. Family and child support also appear in the record. Providence House Inc received $32,500 for its pediatric crisis nursery, and Achievement Centers for Children received grants for family support services and social work services for individuals with disabilities.
$2.1M
$44.3M
$3.2M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$20K
SHARON HIGLEY WATTS
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Moderately sized, locally concentrated grants with frequent repeat funding to the same organizations; a mix of program support, capacity/capital grants, and multi-year commitments rather than many one-time national grants.
Notable grantees: Towards Employment Incorporated, Village of Healing, YWCA of Cleveland Ohio, Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute, Front Steps Housing and Services
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $15,000, and p75 of $20,000. The recent record also includes several larger awards, which suggests a mix of recurring operating or program support and occasional capital or expansion grants. Some recipients appear in multiple years, including Achievement Centers for Children, Providence House Inc, Case Western Reserve University, and Esperanza Inc, pointing to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The fund is a private family-linked fund within The Cleveland Foundation, led by Sharon Higley Watts. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Ohio: 97% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and the overall scope is local. Cleveland is the main recipient city, with additional grants in Euclid, Solon, and Highland Hills. Outside Ohio, the recent-grants data also shows a Pennsylvania concentration at the state level, though the grant list provided here is dominated by Ohio recipients. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The fund backs local nonprofits working on housing stability, emergency food, family support, workforce pathways, and trauma-informed services. Recent grants include support for affordable homeownership, pediatric crisis nursery services, food rescue, and job-training or employment programs.
Typical awards are modest-to-mid-sized: the p25 is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and the p75 is $20,000. Recent grants also include larger capacity and capital awards, including $200,000, $170,000, and $165,000 gifts.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent-grants list, including Achievement Centers for Children, Providence House Inc, Case Western Reserve University, and Esperanza Inc. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only.
The fund gives locally, with 97% of grants going to recipients in Ohio. Cleveland is the most common recipient city, and other Ohio recipients in the recent list include Euclid, Solon, and Highland Hills.
Yes. Recent examples include $165,000 to Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio Inc for feeding families in times of need, $30,000 to Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland for hunger relief and food rescue, and $25,000 to Salvation Army for an emergency food program.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VILLAGE OF HEALING | EUCLID, OH | $200,000 | 2025 | VILLAGE OF HEALING LOCATIONS AND SERVICES EXPANSION |
| YWCA OF CLEVELAND OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $170,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL NEEDS FOR YWCA GREATER CLEVELAND FACILITIES |
| HELP FOUNDATION INC | EUCLID, OH | $150,000 | 2025 | LAKEWOOD ADULT DAY SERVICES AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| JOSEPH'S HOME | CLEVELAND, OH | $125,000 | 2025 | A NEW HOME FOR HEALING: JOSEPH'S HOME RENOVATION AND RELOCATION |
| CLEVELAND KIDS BOOK BANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $105,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE MOVE |
| ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN | HIGHLAND HILLS, OH | $45,000 | 2025 | FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES: HELPING FAMILIES THRIVE |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | THE MILDRED S. HIGLEY HONOR FUND (END129300) AT THE MANDEL SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES |
| MALACHI HOUSE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUNGER NETWORK OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | HUNGER RELIEF AND FOOD RESCUE - NO ONE GOES HUNGRY. NO FOOD GOES TO WASTE |
| REACH SUCCESS | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | CAREER PASSION PROGRAM INSIDE/OUT |
| YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED | CLEVELAND, OH | $27,500 | 2025 | JOBS FOR OHIO'S GRADUATES (JOG) PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PASSAGES CONNECTING FATHERS AND SONS INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR MODERATE- TO HIGH-RISK PROBATIONERS |
| PROVIDENCE HOUSE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | FAMILY PRESERVATION CRISIS NURSERY |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING THROUGH LEGAL AID |
| SALVATION ARMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM |
| ESPERANZA INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | ESPERANZA: CONTINUATION OF FUNDS - IMPROVING HISPANIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES |
| UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | HUNGER CENTER 2024 |
| JOURNEY CENTER FOR SAFETY AND HEALING | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | JOURNEY CENTER FOR SAFETY AND HEALING |
| CLEVELAND RAPE CRISIS CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO | COLUMBUS, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | ENSURING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR CUYAHOGA COUNTY PATIENTS |
| SCRANTON ROAD MINISTRIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $22,500 | 2025 | YOUTH JOBS PARTNERSHIP | BEST-PRACTICE TRAINING |
| MENTAL HEALTH SERICES FOR HOMELESS PERSONS DBA FRONTLINE SERVICE | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | NORTH POINT KITCHEN UPDATE |
| EDWINS LEADERSHIP & RESTAURANT INSTITUTE | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | CREATING CULINARY CAREER PATHWAYS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS NORTHEAST OHIO CHAPTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND CHRISTIAN HOME | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING, AND EDUCATION SUPPORT |
| FRONT STEPS HOUSING AND SERVICES | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | EMPOWERING RECOVERY: HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE NORTHEASTERN OHIO | GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | RENEWED SUPPORT OF THE FOOD AND NUTRITION NEEDS OF BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE SCHOLARS |
| THE EDNA HOUSE FOR WOMEN INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | STRUCTURED SOBER LIVING FOR WOMEN |
| AMERICANS MAKING IMMIGRANTS SAFE (AMIS) | CLEVELAND HTS, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | IMMIGRANT DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
| MANUFACTURING ADVOCACY & GROWTH NETWORK INC (MAGNET) | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | GROWING THE MANUFACTURING TALENT PIPELINE |
| CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | TRI-C YOUTH TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY |
| CITY YEAR INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | WHOLE SCHOOL, WHOLE CHILD (2024-25) |
| ROSE CENTERS FOR AGING WELL LLC | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | BENJAMIN ROSE MEALS ON WHEELS |
| LUTHERAN METROPOLITAN MINISTRY | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS |
| SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES HIGH SCHOOL | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | SETTING STUDENTS UP FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | HELPING UNHOUSED FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE STABILITY |
| STELLA MARIS INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO QUALITY TREATMENT |
| BUILDING HOPE IN THE CITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $18,000 | 2025 | THE HOPE CENTER - ONGOING SUPPORT TO CREATE A THRIVING COMMUNITY |
| NORTH COAST COMMUNITY HOMES INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $17,500 | 2025 | NCCH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $17,500 | 2025 | HEALTHY LIFESTYLES SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR UNDER-RESOURCED YOUTH IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY |
| THEA BOWMAN CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,500 | 2025 | AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR MT. PLEASANT K-8 STUDENTS |
| METANOIA PROJECT INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING SUPPORT AND HOPE FOR CLEVELAND'S UNSHELTERED HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS |
| ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | FAMILY AND YOUTH PROGRAMS: FAMILY TIES |
| NAMI GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | ENHANCING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH PEER AND FAMILY SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF NORTHEAST OHIO INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | FEEDING MORE FAMILIES: EXPANDING THE RMHC FAMILY MEAL PROGRAM |
| MEDWISH MEDWORKS | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | MEDWISH: LOCAL & DOMESTIC GIVING PROGRAM - HELPING TO REDUCE MEDICAL SCARCITY |
| MOBILEMED 1 INC DBA MEDWORKS | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | HEALTH ACCESS AND EQUITY, INCLUDING CARE + CONNECTION WITH SOCIAL SERVICES |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CARE INCORPORATED | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | IMPROVING INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE ACCESS THROUGH LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION SERVICES |
| NEAR WEST SIDE MULTI-SERVICE CORPORATION DBA THE MAY DUGAN CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | MAY DUGAN FOOD & CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION |
LAKEWOOD ADULT DAY SERVICES AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAM EXPANSION
A NEW HOME FOR HEALING: JOSEPH'S HOME RENOVATION AND RELOCATION
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE MOVE
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES: HELPING FAMILIES THRIVE
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$30,000THE MILDRED S. HIGLEY HONOR FUND (END129300) AT THE MANDEL SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES
HUNGER RELIEF AND FOOD RESCUE - NO ONE GOES HUNGRY. NO FOOD GOES TO WASTE
REACH SUCCESS
$30,000CAREER PASSION PROGRAM INSIDE/OUT
JOBS FOR OHIO'S GRADUATES (JOG) PROGRAM SUPPORT
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR MODERATE- TO HIGH-RISK PROBATIONERS
SALVATION ARMY
$25,000EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM
ESPERANZA: CONTINUATION OF FUNDS - IMPROVING HISPANIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
ENSURING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR CUYAHOGA COUNTY PATIENTS
YOUTH JOBS PARTNERSHIP | BEST-PRACTICE TRAINING
NORTH POINT KITCHEN UPDATE
GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER - GENERAL SUPPORT
EMPOWERING RECOVERY: HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE NORTHEASTERN OHIO
$20,000RENEWED SUPPORT OF THE FOOD AND NUTRITION NEEDS OF BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE SCHOLARS
AMERICANS MAKING IMMIGRANTS SAFE (AMIS)
$20,000IMMIGRANT DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
GROWING THE MANUFACTURING TALENT PIPELINE
CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROSE CENTERS FOR AGING WELL LLC
$20,000BENJAMIN ROSE MEALS ON WHEELS
ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
SETTING STUDENTS UP FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS
HELPING UNHOUSED FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE STABILITY
THE HOPE CENTER - ONGOING SUPPORT TO CREATE A THRIVING COMMUNITY
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO
$17,500HEALTHY LIFESTYLES SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR UNDER-RESOURCED YOUTH IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY
METANOIA PROJECT INC
$15,000PROVIDING SUPPORT AND HOPE FOR CLEVELAND'S UNSHELTERED HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS
ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND
$15,000FAMILY AND YOUTH PROGRAMS: FAMILY TIES
ENHANCING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH PEER AND FAMILY SUPPORT
FEEDING MORE FAMILIES: EXPANDING THE RMHC FAMILY MEAL PROGRAM
MEDWISH: LOCAL & DOMESTIC GIVING PROGRAM - HELPING TO REDUCE MEDICAL SCARCITY
MOBILEMED 1 INC DBA MEDWORKS
$15,000HEALTH ACCESS AND EQUITY, INCLUDING CARE + CONNECTION WITH SOCIAL SERVICES
IMPROVING INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE ACCESS THROUGH LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION SERVICES
MAY DUGAN FOOD & CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION