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When you include recognition of Neighbor Up, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the Cleveland Climate Action Fund, you help people know about our work.
Other Funding Opportunities
Listed below are other potential funding sources for grassroots groups.
Candid, formerly known as The Foundation Center, has a library of resources to help you find funders, and free training classes on fundraising, proposal writing, and nonprofit management.
ioby Cleveland has supported over 200 resident leaders as they plan, crowdfund, and build positive change in neighborhoods across the city. With a median donation of $35, these leaders have raised over $422,000 in small donations to make ioby Cleveland neighborhoods greener, safer, more livable, and more full of opportunity for all residents.
Ohio Humanities, an independent non-profit organization funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and private contributions, serves as a public advocate for humanities in Ohio. The organization promotes the humanities through public programs, grants and community projects.
The Awesome Foundation awards quarterly $1,000 no-strings-attached cash to projects and programs that bring maximum awesomeness to Cleveland.
The Friends of Slavic Village Mini Grant Program Mini Grants are awarded to residents living in and community groups serving residents in Broadway Slavic Village. The mini grants must be used for projects that benefit the community — they cannot be used for personal gain.
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. They offer a host of community programs that offer training and funds for small and emerging arts organizations. The programs include Art Access, Arts Innovation, Capacity Building, and the Building Cultural Diversity Initiative.
The Organizers and Allies Mini Grant program was created to be Rolling and Responsive in order to assist with quick financial needs. Mini grants are awarded to any group who has partnered with a fiscal agent. The mini grants must be used for projects that benefit the community — they cannot be used for personal gain.
The Saint Luke’s Foundation awards grants to nonprofits and now to community groups that address social determinants of health in Buckeye Shaker, Woodland Hills and Mount Pleasant. You could get up to $15k for your health equity project. Learn more about their new community grant here or contact Indigo Bishop for more information.
The Self-Development of People Fund (SDOP) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) makes grants to community groups who are working to improve their economic condition.
The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland has financially assisted many non-profit organizations in the Greater Cleveland area. An important part of the philosophy is to insure that non-profit charitable organizations serving the poor, Black, and other minorities receive an equitable share of the charitable dollars. United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland funds over 80 non-profit agencies annually.
Project Resources
The following websites provide information useful to nonprofit organizations. You may find these to be good resources for your project:
Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development
Research unit at Case Western Reserve University examines issues of poverty in cities. Find publications and data on the Cleveland area.
Cleveland City Planning Commission
The City Planning Commission’s Web site offers a large amount of useful statistical and planning information about the neighborhoods of Cleveland.
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress Inc.
A non-profit community development organization committed to restoring the health and prosperity of Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Through a broad array of catalytic programs, NPI provides the resources needed by local community organizations to improve the physical condition of their neighborhoods and the quality of life for the people who live there.
Training Opportunities
Listed below are training opportunities.
Candid. offers free introductory classes on proposal writing, grant seeking, fundraising planning and more. They also offer more indepth, fee-based classes on fundraising and have a reference library to research potential funders.
The Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP), a program of the Mandel Foundation, is an innovative program for emerging and developing leaders who live in Cleveland. The mission of the NLDP is to develop the diverse leadership abilities of engaged Clevelanders who are committed to creating a city and region which works for everyone.
Neighborhood Leadership Institute develops grassroots leaders working to rebuild the bonds of community and improve the quality of life for neighborhood residents throughout the Greater Cleveland area. For more information on this program and to download an application, visit their website or call 216-812-8700.
The Ohio State University Extension offers a host of training and technical assistance programs in Cuyahoga County. Services include training in gardening, market gardening, health and nutrition, and more. Call 216-429-8200 for more information.
The Treu-Mart Youth Development Fellowship Program at the Weatherhead School at Case Western ReserveUniversity provides support and professional development for those who work with youth during non-school hours.
Podcasts
Listen to these podcasts featuring the work of Neighbor Up members
Neighbor Up member Carol Malone hosts “Neighbor Up Spotlight” highlighting the work of ordinary people doing extraordinary work in our city. Listen on iTunes or SoundCloud.
Sarah Gyorki, a flagship member of the Grantmaking Committee, talks about Cultivating a Grassroots Grantmaking Committee.