grants
Granting Futures for Greater Impact
The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland grants are transformational to Northeast Ohio.
Community Thrive Grant
The United Black Fund recognizes the negative impact of mental health and gun violence issues and is committed to identifying and partnering with organizations that are making a positive impact. If there are organizations in Cuyahoga County that provide programs, resources, and support for gun violence prevention or improve mental health by reducing the incidence of these issues, we encourage them to apply for our Community Thrive grant.
The Community Thrive Grant application opens on October 1st.
Join us on Tuesday, October 15th at 11 AM for a virtual informational meeting to learn more about this grant opportunity. For registration information please contact Celeste Terry, Grants Manager at cterry@unitedblackfund.org.
Mental Health Support
We are particularly interested in projects that impact mental health and wellness and other causes that lead to this disease. Some recommended areas are depression (youth and adults), suicide prevention (youth and adults), school violence/school absenteeism, anger management, and social media addiction.
Gun Violence Prevention
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
October 1 - November 12: Application Open
Week of November 18: Application Review Process Begins
Week December 2: Short-listed Applicants Site Visit Begins
Week of December 16: Grant Award and Declination Decisions Made
Week of December 23: Grant Award Disbursements Made
Week of January 6: Photo and Formal Check Presentations
Dates are subject to change at the discretion of the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland.
2024-25 Community Thrive Grant Awardee Process:
1. Grantees who been awarded will receive their first grant disbursements in December .
2. The second disbursements will be made in June, but only if the grantee submits a mid-year report on or before June 15.
3. The final Report must be submitted on or before December 15.
4. 2024-25 Community Thrive Grant Awardees are not eligible to apply for UBF's traditional grant funding cycle until April of 2026.
If you have any further questions or require more information, please contact Celeste Terry, Grants Manager.
empowering communities
Strategic Impact Through Focus
Through diligent processes of seeking out competent partners, we provide grants that make the most meaningful change happen in the community; from helping people meet basic needs, to educational commitments, workforce development, and social justice. We do it all with strategy and pride for the people Cleveland.
Through diligent processes of seeking out competent partners, we provide grants that make the most meaningful change happen in the community; from helping people meet basic needs, to educational commitments, workforce development, and social justice. We do it all with strategy and pride for the people Cleveland.
The Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC), an independent civilian body, was created to ensure effective, constitutional policing in Cleveland that aligns with community values. The CPC provide grants for specific community-based projects centered around restorative justice, violence prevention, and mediation.
2024 Community Police Commission Application Timeline:
October 7-November 22: Grant Application Open
Week of November 25 : Grant Application Review Process Begins
Week of December 2: Short-listed Applicants Site Visit Begins
Week of December 23: Grant Award & Declination Decisions Made
Week of January 6: Grant Agreement and Hardship Process Begins
Dates are subject to change at the discretion of the Cleveland Police Commission.
If your organization provides programming in Mediation, Restorative Justice and Violence Prevention register for the meeting to learn about the CPC grant. Continental breakfast provided.
basic needs: $5,000-$10,000 Grant Awards
Programming should be focused on restoring the person/family to an acceptable level of functioning by assisting with food, shelter, clothing, personal items, health needs, or transportation. Funding is not limited to those items listed; they are provided as a guide.
We recognize the importance of a stable foundation for individuals and families. Our grants in this area focus on ensuring access to essential resources such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
By supporting organizations that provide these critical services, we're not just meeting immediate needs – we're contributing to the long-term stability and health of our communities, paving the way for growth and self-sufficiency.
education: $5,000-$10,000 grant awards
Programs should reflect a strong commitment to education and access for low income and under-served populations. Educational programs should enrich participants’ lives by including activities that lead to a change in knowledge, skill or level of appreciation rather than one-time events such as attending a show or visiting a cultural institution.
Arts Education programming should provide participants with the expertise that furthers their training and enhances their education and self-development.
Education is the cornerstone of personal and community development. UBF’s educational grants aim to illuminate paths of knowledge and opportunity for underserved communities. By investing in literacy programs, scholarship funds, and educational initiatives, we empower individuals with the tools to rewrite their futures.
workforce development: $5,000-$10,000 grant awards
Special emphasis is given to programs that serve those who have little or no connection to the job market, including those who have been previously incarcerated. Job readiness training, record expungement, transportation, and skill-specific training/placement, including soft skill development, are among the services that will be considered for support.
In today’s ever-evolving job market, workforce development is key to ensuring economic empowerment and self-sufficiency. UBF’s grants in this area support programs and initiatives that provide job training, career development, and entrepreneurship opportunities. By aligning with organizations that offer these vital services, we help individuals gain the skills and knowledge necessary to secure meaningful employment and create sustainable livelihoods.
social justice: $5,000-$10,000 grant awards
Social Justice programs should impact disparities in employment, environment/climate, healthcare, food, housing, and re-entry/incarceration created by systemic racism as these issues affect Black and poor communities disproportionately. Proposal should provide solutions.
UBF is committed to not only addressing the symptoms of social injustice but also to challenging its root causes. By fostering a culture of understanding, respect, and action, we aim to create an inclusive society where every individual can thrive without the constraints of bias and oppression.
empowering communities
Strategic Impact Through Focus
Through diligent processes of seeking out competent partners, we provide grants that make the most meaningful change happen in the community; from helping people meet basic needs, to educational commitments, workforce development, and social justice. We do it all with strategy and pride for the people Cleveland.
Through diligent processes of seeking out competent partners, we provide grants that make the most meaningful change happen in the community; from helping people meet basic needs, to educational commitments, workforce development, and social justice. We do it all with strategy and pride for the people Cleveland.
The Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC), an independent civilian body, was created to ensure effective, constitutional policing in Cleveland that aligns with community values. The CPC provide grants for specific community-based projects centered around restorative justice, violence prevention, and mediation.
Join us for an informational meeting on September 27, 2024, at 9:00 AM at the Jerry Sue Thornton Center. The CPC will discuss a grant opportunity for organizations that provide programming in Mediation, Restorative Justice, and Violence Prevention. A continental breakfast will be provided.
If your organization provides programming in Mediation, Restorative Justice and Violence Prevention register for the meeting to learn about the CPC grant. Continental breakfast provided.
basic needs: $5,000-$10,000 Grant Awards
Programming should be focused on restoring the person/family to an acceptable level of functioning by assisting with food, shelter, clothing, personal items, health needs, or transportation. Funding is not limited to those items listed; they are provided as a guide.
We recognize the importance of a stable foundation for individuals and families. Our grants in this area focus on ensuring access to essential resources such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
By supporting organizations that provide these critical services, we're not just meeting immediate needs – we're contributing to the long-term stability and health of our communities, paving the way for growth and self-sufficiency.
education: $5,000-$10,000 grant awards
Programs should reflect a strong commitment to education and access for low income and under-served populations. Educational programs should enrich participants’ lives by including activities that lead to a change in knowledge, skill or level of appreciation rather than one-time events such as attending a show or visiting a cultural institution.
Arts Education programming should provide participants with the expertise that furthers their training and enhances their education and self-development.
Education is the cornerstone of personal and community development. UBF’s educational grants aim to illuminate paths of knowledge and opportunity for underserved communities. By investing in literacy programs, scholarship funds, and educational initiatives, we empower individuals with the tools to rewrite their futures.
workforce development: $5,000-$10,000 grant awards
Special emphasis is given to programs that serve those who have little or no connection to the job market, including those who have been previously incarcerated. Job readiness training, record expungement, transportation, and skill-specific training/placement, including soft skill development, are among the services that will be considered for support.
In today’s ever-evolving job market, workforce development is key to ensuring economic empowerment and self-sufficiency. UBF’s grants in this area support programs and initiatives that provide job training, career development, and entrepreneurship opportunities. By aligning with organizations that offer these vital services, we help individuals gain the skills and knowledge necessary to secure meaningful employment and create sustainable livelihoods.
social justice: $5,000-$10,000 grant awards
Social Justice programs should impact disparities in employment, environment/climate, healthcare, food, housing, and re-entry/incarceration created by systemic racism as these issues affect Black and poor communities disproportionately. Proposal should provide solutions.
UBF is committed to not only addressing the symptoms of social injustice but also to challenging its root causes. By fostering a culture of understanding, respect, and action, we aim to create an inclusive society where every individual can thrive without the constraints of bias and oppression.
Community Thrive Grant
The United Black Fund recognizes the negative impact of mental health and gun violence issues and is committed to identifying and partnering with organizations that are making a positive impact. If there are organizations in Cuyahoga County that provide programs, resources, and support for gun violence prevention or improve mental health by reducing the incidence of these issues, we encourage them to apply for our Community Thrive grant.
The Community Thrive Grant application opens on October 1st.
Join us on Tuesday, October 15th at 11 AM for a virtual informational meeting to learn more about this grant opportunity. For registration information please contact Celeste Terry, Grants Manager at cterry@unitedblackfund.org.
Mental Health Support
We are particularly interested in projects that impact mental health and wellness and other causes that lead to this disease. Some recommended areas are depression (youth and adults), suicide prevention (youth and adults), school violence/school absenteeism, anger management, and social media addiction.
Gun Violence Prevention
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
Transform Today,
Impact Tomorrow, Journey with UBF
Embrace your role in shaping the legacy of shared prosperity in Northeast Ohio.