03/07/2005 in Grantmaking

Foundation Awards $2.8 Million in March

CLEVELAND OH — The George Gund Foundation made several grants at its March meeting aimed at helping to ensure fairness in federal and state budget proposals.

The Center for Community Solutions received a $75,000 grant on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Ohio’s Future, a statewide nonpartisan coalition of human service providers working to educate local communities, state legislators and the media on the impact of proposed budget reductions and tax policy changes at the state level.

A $75,000 grant was made to the Washington D.C.-based Urban Institute for economic analysis and research by its Tax Policy Center, and the National Womens Law Center received a two-year $200,000 grant for its leadership of the National Fair Taxes for ALL coalition and other federal advocacy on issues affecting women and children.

“We live in an era when many office holders’ concept of public policy begins and ends with tax cuts,” said David Abbott, Foundation executive director. “They chase political expediency without thinking through the consequences to our society’s ability to deliver adequate schooling, health care, safety or scores of other vital services on which we all rely. These grants help to shine a light on these issues and on the devastating impact of proposed state and federal budget cuts.”

These grants were among 71 totaling $2,835,242 made by Foundation Trustees at the first quarterly meeting of 2005.

Two grants also were made to the Downtown Cleveland Partnership for events that will use the arts to bring visitors to the city.

InGenuity: The Cleveland Festival of Art, Culture and Technology, which will hold its inaugural event over five days in late August, received a $100,000 grant. The festival, which will be centered on Euclid Avenue near East Fourth Street, will feature dozens of performances, exhibitions and demonstrations.

Sparx in the City received $25,000 for the Street Beats program which brings street performers downtown on weekends during the summer and the Urban Gallery Hop weekend in mid-September.

Other grants of interest included:

  • $45,730 over 18 months to the Cleveland State University Foundation for development of curriculum and research projects that will be linked to construction of green buildings on campus.
  • $35,000 to Action Against Crime and Violence Education Fund to open an Ohio office of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.
  • $25,000 to the Environmental Defense, Incorporated for a campaign to reduce antibiotic overuse in animal agriculture in Ohio.
  • $54,000 to the Cleveland State University Foundation for the First Ring Leadership Academy to train principals for first ring school districts.
  • $30,000 to Hard Hatted Women to advocate for inclusion of women in major construction projects in University Circle.
  • Up to $20,000 to the Poets’ and Writers’ League of Greater Cleveland for strategic planning.

The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund, former chairman of the Cleveland Trust Company. The Foundation funds programs that enhance our understanding of the physical and social environment in which we live and increase our ability to cope with its changing requirements. Grants are made quarterly in the areas of education, human services, economic and community development, environment and arts. Foundation commitments to date have totaled more than $440 million.

For Further Information Contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216)241.3114