First Quarter Grantmaking Advances Immediate and Long-term Impact

In the first quarter of 2026, the Cleveland Foundation supported nearly 100 organizations working to improve lives in our community. Foundation grants strengthened organizations, responded to real‑time needs, tested and scaled new ideas, advanced capital projects, and continued long‑term work to grow the region, strengthen neighborhoods, and connect people to opportunity. 

“One year into our Impact Agenda, the power of pairing immediate support with long‑term, place‑based investment is clearly taking shape,” said Joyce Pan Huang, Chief Impact Officer. “Our Q1 grants reflect how important it is to do both—meeting urgent needs for residents today while investing in the work shaping our future. This balance, and the connected way we are working alongside partners, guide our grantmaking and move our community toward shared opportunity and prosperity.” 

A sample of immediate impact grantmaking from Q1 includes support of summer jobs, college prep and scholarship opportunities through organizations including Starting Point, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, College Now Greater Cleveland and Lake Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation.  

Long-term impact grantmaking in Q1 included support for activating residents for change in their neighborhoods through the work of Neighborhood Connections. Several organizations, including Building Hope in the City and Habitat for Humanity, received support for exciting, impactful models for affordable housing in the Clark-Fulton and Buckeye neighborhoods 

View all first quarter grants here