Grants Information
United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland is excited to announce a special grant opportunity to support initiatives aimed at addressing mental health issues and gun violence prevention/intervention in our community. We recognize the devastating effects of these issues, and we are committed to identify and partner with organizations making a positive impact. If your organization provides programs, resources, and support to improve mental health and/or reduce the incidence of gun violence, we encourage you to apply for our “Community Thrive” grant.
To apply visit our website UnitedBlackFund.org to access the application form and guidelines. The application deadline is November 27, 2023.
The Traditional Grant cycle opens April 2024.
Mental Health Support
We are particularly interested in projects that impact mental health wellness
Some recommended areas are:
- Depression (youth and adults)
- Suicide prevention (youth and adult)
- School violence/school absenteeism
- Anger management
- Social media addiction.
Gun Violence Prevention
Innovative approaches to prevent gun violence
We seek innovative approaches to prevent gun violence, such as education and awareness, and community-based interventions that address the root causes. Proposals addressing School/University/Religious Institution/Retail shooting prevention, support for families affected by gun violence, gun culture, gun safety, and/or gun laws.
Application Criteria
In order ta be eligible for the grant, the organization should fulfill the following criteria:
- Programming to support Mental Health or Gun Violence Prevention/Intervention work.
- The organization must have been established for atleast three years and should have a proven track record.
- The organization should provide data to support its impact.
- The organization must serve Cuyahoga County.
- The organization should provide a minimum of one letter of support.
- The organization must demonstrate that funding will be utilized for 80% programming and 20% operations and/or marketing.
- The organization must be a 501©3 or have a fiscal agent.
- A strategic plan summary outlining the use of funds should be provided (1-page outline/summary)
- The grant does not support one-time events, sponsorships, or fundraising campaigns.
- Programming should commence on January 1, 2024, and should have a minimum execution period of one year.
The Grant Review and Selection Process will be carried out as follows:
- The grant will be open for applications from Monday, October 16, 2023.
- The grant application deadline is Monday, November 27, 2023, at 11:59 PM.
- All applications received will be reviewed by our Grants and Allocations Committee.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited for further discussion and site visits as part of the selection process.
- The funding for successful applicants is scheduled for December 2023.
Please note that the above timeline is subject to change, and applicants will be notified of any changes made.
Grant Award Process:
- Grantees who have been awarded will receive their first grant disbursements in January 3, 2024.
- second disbursement will be made in June, but only if a 1 page summary of program efforts/accomplishments is submitted. A site visit will also take place as well.
- Final Report describing the year of programming is due in December, and a presentation to the committee on how the year evolved; the good, the challenges and vision for growth/sustainability.
- Grant Awardees are not eligible to apply for additional grant funding from UBF within the same calendar year.