DEACONESS FOUNDATION

A prize recognizing Cuyahoga County non-profit organizations or collaborations demonstrating systems change and/or scalable innovation in the local workforce development ecosystem; award is $50,000 with no restrictions or deliverables.

Only non-profit organizations may be formally nominated | Nominations submitted via the grants dashboard by the stated deadline

Deborah Vesy Systems Change Champion Award

Multi-year requests (by invitation) for organizations that meet specific criteria, including having been a Deaconess partner for at least five years and filling a critical role in the ecosystem.

Organization has been a partner receiving grants from Deaconess Foundation for at least 5 years | Organization/program fulfills a critical role in the ecosystem (as determined by staff)

Deaconess Foundation Multiyear Grants

Provides programmatic grants to organizations engaged in workforce development activities that fill gaps in the Cuyahoga County ecosystem and support workforce systems change or related workforce-focused activities.

Must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and provide EIN | Be a publicly supported charity | Must serve/operate in Cuyahoga County

Deaconess Foundation Programmatic Grants

Grants to United Church of Christ (UCC) congregations in Cuyahoga County for projects outside the church that help vulnerable, underserved, and disadvantaged people; grants emphasize congregational involvement.

Must be a United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation located in Cuyahoga County | All requests must be approved by the church’s Pastor and Mission Outreach Representative | No pass-throughs; no capital investments or improvements for the Church; not designed to benefit only members of the congregation

Mission Outreach Fund

General operating grants for organizations, collaboratives, or initiatives whose primary activity is workforce development; reserved for long-term grantees.

Must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization | Be a publicly supported charity | General operating grants are reserved for long-term grantees

DEACONESS FOUNDATION

Past grantees

2024

Youth Opportunities Unlimited

$230,000

Towards Employment

$195,000

College Now Greater Cleveland

$130,000

The Centers For Families & Children

$115,000

Cleveland Center For Arts & Technology (Dba Newbridge)

$115,000

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress

$100,000

Legal Aid Society Of Cleveland

$100,000

Local Initiatives Support Corp

$90,000

Open Doors Academy

$90,000

Grant programs

Deborah Vesy Systems Change Champion Award

~$50.0K

Deaconess Foundation Multiyear Grants

~$20K

Deaconess Foundation Programmatic Grants

~$20K

Mission Outreach Fund

$500.0–$3.5K

Deaconess Foundation General Operating Grants

~$20K

Foundation Details

CLEVELAND, OH

~$20K

5