During its September meeting that saw the awarding of 50 grants totaling more than $5 million by its trustees, the George Gund Foundation announced that it will be increasing its support to the Fund for Our Economic Future effort with a $4 million grant.
The grant, which will be awarded over the course of three years, will be an increase over the foundation’s previous commitment of $3.1 million over three years to the fund, which its website describes as a "collaboration of philanthropic organizations and individuals that have united to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Northeast Ohio"
Among the foundations and groups that will be recipients of the funding will be the Cleveland Heights/University Heights City School District, which will receive $100,000 for the First Ring Superintendents Collaborative that allows superintendents from 15 urban school districts to gather and discuss educational topics.
The Cleveland Housing Network will also receive $80,000 to help it continue its work in stabilizing the cities’ urban neighborhoods, while the Kent State University Foundation for the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative will receive $75,000 for its work on "Re-Imagining a More Sustainable Cleveland and publication of the journal Urban Infill," according to the foundation.
"In a time of economic stress it is more important than ever that our region’s leadership and resources pull together," said David Abbott, the foundation’s executive director. "A collaboration such as the fund, tackling the tough systemic issues we face, is really hard work. But joining forces makes far more impact than disconnected effort, and our trustees feel strongly that increasing our investment in the fund signals our strong belief in collaborative action."
The Fund for Our Economic Future was founded in 2004 with the goal of improving the economic standing in the 16-county region that includes and surrounds Cleveland in Northeast Ohio. It has raised $60 million since its founding and launched a second three-year phase in 2007.
The George Gund Foundation was founded in 1952 by George Gund, the former chairman of the Cleveland Trust Company, to enhance the physical and social environment of Cleveland. It has raised nearly $534 million since its inception..
