Foundation Awards $4.2 Million in September

CLEVELAND OH - The George Gund Foundation made a $3 million commitment to University Circle Incorporated for the proposed Uptown housing and retail development on upper Euclid Avenue.

Foundation Trustees approved a $1 million grant and a $2 million program-related investment, similar to a loan, for the Uptown Project which will include new residential, retail and commercial buildings near Ford and Mayfield Roads.

“The Uptown Project will create a vibrant town center for University Circle and leverage the significant investment made by this Foundation and others in Circle institutions,” said David Abbott, Foundation executive director.  “These commitments bring to almost $10 million the amount the Foundation has focused on developments in the Uptown District, including $3.5 million to the Cleveland Institute of Art for its new campus on Euclid Avenue and $2.1 million to the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland for a new home in Uptown.”

 “We are also pleased that developers are seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development certification from the U.S. Green Building Council,” he added.

Trustees approved 58 grants totaling $4,211,070, in addition to the $2 million program-related investment, at the Foundation’s September meeting.

Two significant grants also were made to projects focused on improvements in the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD).  A $550,000 grant will be used for planning, programming and evaluation of CMSD’s new opportunity schools.  A $161,500 grant is focused on implementing policy and practice changes recommended by a recent “humanware audit” that looked at how to improve conditions for learning in the district.

Also included in this quarter’s grantmaking were four grants to organizations working on public policy issues related to increasing access to health care and health insurance for children and low-income families.  Organizations receiving these grants were Families USA ($50,000), Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families ($50,000), Universal Health Care Action Network ($45,000 over two years) and Universal Health Care Acton Network of Ohio ($55,000).

Other grants of interest include:

• $300,000 over two years to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for operating support for Greater Ohio and its efforts to promote smart growth policy at the state, regional and local levels

• $75,000 to the Kent State University Foundation to relocate the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative offices to Playhouse Square

• $50,000 to Karamu House to support the theater program

• $150,000 over two years to Environmental Health Watch for operating support

• $25,000 to PolicyBridge for its public policy work in framing issues of relevance to the minority community

• $22,000 to CityMusic Cleveland for its free classical concerts in the City of Cleveland

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 almost $517 million.

For further information contact:
Deena M. Epstein (216) 241.3114