The George Gund Foundation Grant Program

The George Gund Foundation, established in 1952, is a private, nonprofit institution dedicated to enhancing human well-being and the advancement of society, with a strong focus on Cleveland, Ohio. The Foundation’s longstanding commitment to Cleveland is rooted not only in its origins but also in its belief that cities, particularly Cleveland, can lead in developing innovative responses to pressing challenges facing society. The Foundation’s work emphasizes the value of community, democratic engagement, and equity. It addresses issues through a deeply localized lens while maintaining awareness of their national and global relevance. Grantmaking from the George Gund Foundation is organized around five strategic program areas: Climate and Environmental Justice; Creative Culture and Arts; Economic Justice and Community Power; Public Education; and Thriving Families and Social Justice. Each program area operates with defined priorities and is directly tied to the Foundation’s overarching belief in tackling climate change and environmental degradation, addressing entrenched racial and economic inequality, and reinforcing democratic institutions. Applicants are expected to connect their proposals to these guiding issues articulated in the Foundation’s “What We Believe” statement. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations based in the United States. Applications are accepted through the Foundation’s online portal hosted by BlackBaud’s GrantsConnect system. Applicants must either log in or create a new BlackBaud ID to apply. The Foundation does not require a letter of inquiry prior to submission and encourages applicants to assess their alignment with the Foundation’s goals before proceeding. Required submission materials include a cover letter, organizational narrative, project description (if applicable), project and organizational budgets, a narrative response to the “What We Believe” framework, board member list, most recent audited financial statements, Form 990, and a DataArts Funder’s Report (for arts organizations). Optional attachments such as letters of support and annual reports may also be included. Grant proposals are reviewed three times per year, with deadlines on March 15, July 15, and November 15, each corresponding to trustee meetings in June, November, and February respectively. While applications may be submitted at any time, those submitted by the posted deadlines are considered for the following trustee meetings. Not all proposals are guaranteed review at the immediately following meeting. Occasionally, requests up to $100,000 may be reviewed outside of these cycles. Following approval, grantees receive a grant agreement via DocuSign, which must be signed by an authorized executive. Payments are made via ACH direct deposit upon receipt of a voided check or bank authorization letter. The Foundation does not require grantees to use its logo in materials, but official versions are available upon request. Reporting is required at the end of the grant period, with annual interim reports for multi-year grants. Depending on the date of application, reports are either submitted as PDFs or through the online portal. The Foundation also supports fiscally sponsored projects under specific conditions, requiring a written agreement and submission by the fiscal sponsor organization. Program staff are assigned by area, and questions about fit or applications may be directed to the Grants Administrator or respective program directors listed in the guidelines. The Foundation strongly encourages applicants to review guidelines thoroughly and to consider how their work aligns with the Foundation’s mission and strategic focus before applying.

Ensure all required documents are uploaded, including the climate change statement and audited financials if available. Contact the grants team with any questions.