The Deaconess Foundation concentrates its giving on Greater Cleveland economic mobility by investing in workforce development and youth employment programs. It tends to fund organizations that provide job training, placement and youth opportunity services, and supports regional collaborative efforts that strengthen the local workforce ecosystem. Grants are frequently multi-year or repeat awards aimed at sustaining operations and launching pilots rather than one-off project grants.
Deaconess Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by a $300,000 membership grant to Fund for Our Economic Future for the Workforce Funders Group, showing how often it backs collaborative infrastructure as part of its workforce strategy. The foundation’s grant records point to a Cleveland-centered funder that supports both direct service providers and regional convenings, with awards ranging from youth programming and career pathways to adult job training and systems-change work. Youth Opportunities Unlimited appears multiple times in the recent grant list, including support for its Greater Cleveland career consortium leadership and for summer youth programming, which places youth employment at the center of the foundation’s portfolio. Towards Employment is another repeated recipient, funded for career pathway support, general operations, and a pilot with Neighborhood Connections, indicating interest in organizations that combine employment services with capacity building and neighborhood-connected pilots. Other recent awards extend to legal aid, college-to-career advising, and healthcare workforce programs, suggesting a broad but locally focused approach to economic mobility in Greater Cleveland.
Youth employment is one of the clearest themes in Deaconess Foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $230,500 to Youth Opportunities Unlimited in 2024 for general operating support, summer youth programming, and a meeting stipend, and $110,000 to Open Doors Academy for its High School Plus program. The foundation also supported college and career navigation. College Now Greater Cleveland received $180,000 to train school and community personnel to integrate career planning within CMSD and beyond through the C4CI program, followed by $130,000 in 2024 for its Center on Education to Career Advising. Health-care workforce training is another strand. Cleveland Center for Arts & Technology (dba Newbridge) received $176,248 for adult healthcare workforce development programming and continuous improvement coaching, while Cuyahoga Community College Foundation received $84,000 for retention and advancement support to Tri-C graduates in health care occupations.
Deaconess Foundation’s typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $21,000 at the median, and $73,750 at the 75th percentile, showing a portfolio that includes both smaller support grants and larger awards. The recent record also shows repeated funding to the same organizations across multiple years, especially for workforce and youth-serving nonprofits, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and uses both programmatic and general operating grants, including invite-only multiyear support. It also has a Mission Outreach Fund with $500–$3,500 grants and accepts unsolicited applications there, while some multiyear awards are invitation only.
$2M
$59.9M
$3.7M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $74K, with a median of $21K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$21K
75th Percentile
$74K
About 94% of grants go to recipients in OH.
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of repeat grantees; multi-grant support for core partners and strategic funding of regional initiatives rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED, TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT, FUND FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE
Deaconess Foundation’s giving is highly concentrated in Ohio, with 94% of grants to recipients in its HQ state. Cleveland is the clear center of activity, with additional grants landing in Berea and New York. Recent recipient locations in the grants list include Cleveland, OH; Berea, OH; and New York, NY. The foundation’s stated geographic scope is local, with active programs focused on Cleveland, Greater Cleveland, and Northeast Ohio.
Its recent grants center on workforce development, youth employment, career pathways, and systems change. Examples in the data include support for youth programming, college-to-career advising, adult healthcare workforce training, and collaborations that strengthen the regional workforce ecosystem.
Yes. The grant record includes general operating support alongside programmatic awards. Its active grant programs also include General Operating Grants and Programmatic and General Operating Grants, and some larger multiyear grants are extended by invitation.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $21,000 at the median, and $73,750 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also show larger multi-year or collaborative grants, such as a $300,000 membership grant for the Workforce Funders Group.
Ohio receives 94% of its grants, and Cleveland is the main recipient city in the recent grant list. The foundation’s local geographic scope is centered on Cleveland, Greater Cleveland, and Northeast Ohio.
Yes, at least some of its active programs accept unsolicited requests, including the Mission Outreach Fund and Programmatic and General Operating Grants. Other opportunities, such as multiyear grants, are invite-only.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED | CLEVELAND, OH | $230,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT | CLEVELAND, OH | $195,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $130,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| THE CENTERS FOR FAMILIES & CHILDREN | CLEVELAND, OH | $115,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| CLEVELAND CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY (DBA NEWBRIDGE) | CLEVELAND, OH | $115,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| CLEVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRESS | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| OPEN DOORS ACADEMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $90,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORP | NEW YORK, NY | $90,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| OHIOGUIDESTONE | BEREA, OH | $80,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $75,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| RESOURCE CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| ARGONAUT | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| COLLABORATE CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| FUND FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| EDWINS LEADERSHIP & RESTAURANT INSTITUTE | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| THE SPANISH AMERICAN COMMITTEE | CLEVELAND, OH | $45,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES HIGH SCHOOL | CLEVELAND, OH | $42,500 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| GREATER CLEVELAND WORKS | CLEVELAND, OH | $40,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| METRO WEST CDO | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 CONNECTIONS |
| THE CITY MISSION | CLEVELAND, OH | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024 CONNECTIONS |
| SMART DEVELOPMENT INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024 CONNECTIONS |
| CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | 2024 PRES DISCRETIONARY GRANT |
| FAIRFAX RENAISSANCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | 2024 CONNECTIONS |
| YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | 2024 CONNECTIONS |
| CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY DBA STARTING POINT | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PRESIDENTS DISCRETIONARY GRANT |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $14,000 | 2025 | 2024 CONNECTIONS |
| MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY COALITION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GRANTS |
| OHIO EXCELS | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PRESIDENTS DISCRETIONARY GRANTS 2024 |
| BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS UNLIMITED | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 PRESIDENTS GRANT |
| STRONGSVILLE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | STRONGSVILLE, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| FEDERATED UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT |
| ARCHWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| DOVER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | WESTLAKE, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| IMANI UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | EUCLID, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT |
| WEST PARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| RIDGE ROAD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | PARMA, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH RIDGE ROAD UCC |
| SAINT PAUL'S COMMUNITY CHURCH | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT |
| MT ZION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| SAINT PETER UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | SEVEN HILLS, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT |
| CLAGUE ROAD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | NORTH OLMSTED, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT |
| FAITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS COMMUNITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | CLEVELAND, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER | WESTLAKE, OH | $1,500 | 2025 | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH |
| FUND FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE | CLEVELAND, OH | $300,000 | 2024 | FOR MEMBERSHIP, 2022-2024; FOR THE WORKFORCE FUNDERS GROUP (FFEF AS FISCAL SPONSOR) |
| TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT | CLEVELAND, OH | $275,500 | 2024 | CAREER PATHWAY SUPPORT TO OVERCOME SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE AND PROVIDE TOOLS TO FIND WORK, NAVIGATE LIFE'S OBSTACLES, AND SECURE LONG-TERM CAREERS.; CAPACITY BUILDING CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER (CPO); MEETING STIPEND |
| YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED | CLEVELAND, OH | $230,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMING GRANT; MEETING STIPEND |
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED
$230,000GRANTS
TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT
$195,000GRANTS
COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND
$130,000GRANTS
THE CENTERS FOR FAMILIES & CHILDREN
$115,000GRANTS
CLEVELAND CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY (DBA NEWBRIDGE)
$115,000GRANTS
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND
$100,000GRANTS
CLEVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRESS
GRANTS
OPEN DOORS ACADEMY
$90,000GRANTS
LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORP
$90,000GRANTS
OHIOGUIDESTONE
$80,000GRANTS
THE SALVATION ARMY
$75,000GRANTS
RESOURCE CLEVELAND
$50,000GRANTS
ARGONAUT
$50,000GRANTS
COLLABORATE CLEVELAND
$50,000GRANTS
FUND FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE
$50,000GRANTS
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
$50,000GRANTS
EDWINS LEADERSHIP & RESTAURANT INSTITUTE
$50,000GRANTS
THE SPANISH AMERICAN COMMITTEE
$45,000GRANTS
SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES HIGH SCHOOL
$42,500GRANTS
GREATER CLEVELAND WORKS
$40,000GRANTS
METRO WEST CDO
$25,0002024 CONNECTIONS
THE CITY MISSION
$22,0002024 CONNECTIONS
SMART DEVELOPMENT INC
$22,0002024 CONNECTIONS
CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$20,0002024 PRES DISCRETIONARY GRANT
FAIRFAX RENAISSANCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$20,0002024 CONNECTIONS
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO
$20,0002024 CONNECTIONS
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS
$20,000GRANTS
CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY DBA STARTING POINT
$15,000PRESIDENTS DISCRETIONARY GRANT
FAMILY PROMISE OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$14,0002024 CONNECTIONS
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY COALITION
$10,000GRANTS
OHIO EXCELS
$10,000PRESIDENTS DISCRETIONARY GRANTS 2024
BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS UNLIMITED
$5,0002024 PRESIDENTS GRANT
STRONGSVILLE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
FEDERATED UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT
ARCHWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
DOVER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
IMANI UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT
WEST PARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
RIDGE ROAD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH RIDGE ROAD UCC
SAINT PAUL'S COMMUNITY CHURCH
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT
MT ZION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
SAINT PETER UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT
CLAGUE ROAD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT
FAITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS COMMUNITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$3,0002024 MISSION OUTREACH
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
$1,5002024 MISSION OUTREACH
FUND FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE
$300,000FOR MEMBERSHIP, 2022-2024; FOR THE WORKFORCE FUNDERS GROUP (FFEF AS FISCAL SPONSOR)
TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT
$275,500CAREER PATHWAY SUPPORT TO OVERCOME SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE AND PROVIDE TOOLS TO FIND WORK, NAVIGATE LIFE'S OBSTACLES, AND SECURE LONG-TERM CAREERS.; CAPACITY BUILDING CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER (CPO); MEETING STIPEND
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED
$230,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMING GRANT; MEETING STIPEND