Black Philanthropy Fund of the Cleveland Foundation Announces Inaugural Round of Grantees

CLEVELAND, OH – The Black Philanthropy Fund of the Cleveland Foundation today announced the first eight organizations to receive grants from the Fund, an endowed affinity fund dedicated to advancing healthy communities and long-term prosperity for Greater Cleveland's Black community. 

The Black Philanthropy Fund is seeded with a $3 million endowment from the Cleveland Foundation. 

The Black Philanthropy Fund's advisory committee selected the grants following a competitive application process that opened earlier this year. Grants prioritize work rooted in three focus areas: opportunity access; economic investment and wealth building; and physical and mental health. 

“When we established the Fund, we were building on a legacy of Black philanthropy that has been embedded in our community for generations,” said Nichole Collins, Director of Strategic Philanthropic Engagement at the Cleveland Foundation. “This Fund provides greater structure and visibility to giving and will provide long-term, sustained support to organizations advancing opportunity, wealth, and health across Greater Cleveland.” 

This first round of grantmaking totals approximately $150,000, with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. The Black Philanthropy Fund grantees are: 

• 1000 Ties: Leadership Development Program
• Beat the Streets Cleveland: Building Physical Health and Mental Resilience in Cleveland's Black Community
• Black Professionals Association: Digital Engagement Ecosystem for Emerging Professionals
• Enlightened Solutions: Project Noir: Reimagining Black Midwifery in Northeast Ohio
• Greater Cleveland Congregations: Healthy Blocks on Cleveland's South East Side
• New City Cleveland: Building Pathways to Health, Opportunity, and Economic Mobility
• Peel Dem Layers Back: Hip-Hop Culture & Trauma-Informed Mental Health for Black Men and Boys
• Presidents Council Foundation: Strong Habits, Thriving Business 

The Black Philanthropy Fund Committee consists of the following community members:

• Robyn Minter Smyers (Chair) 

• Bishara Addison 

• Carrie Carpenter 

• Belva Denmark Tibbs 

• Vickie Eaton Johnson 

• Justin Horton 

• Valissa Turner Howard