Nina Lewis, the Chair of the Grant Committee of UBF’s Board of Directors, shared that in her many years of serving on the board, this is one of the most significant opportunities for UBF to help provide solutions for our community and make an impact on Northeast Ohio, given this is the first time for two grant cycles in a single year. She looks forward to seeing the meaningful changes and tangible outcomes of this grant.

To be considered for this one-time opportunity, interested applicants should visit the UBF website UnitedBlackFund.org to access the application form and guidelines. The grant application is open, and the grant application deadline is Friday, November 17, 2023, at 11:59 PM. Our Grants and Allocations Committee will review all applications received. 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.

Apart from the new funding opportunity, the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland also has its traditional funding cycle of awards, which opens in the spring of 2024, providing grants of up to $10,000. This funding is focused on basic needs, education, workforce development, and social justice. According to UBF’s Grants Manager, Celeste Terry, there are multiple opportunities for the community to receive support from UBF in order to carry out the work we want to see in the community. We encourage organizations that are not eligible for this new initiative to apply for our traditional funding cycle.

The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. is the only Black federated human service organization in Ohio. Since 1981, UBF’s primary purpose has been to strengthen the capacity of organizations and agencies that serve African-American and impoverished communities by increasing their access to funding and resources. They provide grants that enable people who care to do the things that they care about.