Deaconess Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio, established in 1993. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking and community development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$59.9M
+6.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
-11.7% YoY
Grant Count
47
+9.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$42K
-19.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Deaconess Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: In the spirit of its faith heritage, the mission of Deaconess Foundation is the improved health of the Metropolitan St. Louis community and its people.
Vision: Deaconess Foundation envisions a community that values the health and well-being of all children and gives priority attention to the most vulnerable.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Workforce development, particularly in the manufacturing sector
- Youth and older adult services
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$250–$300,000
Average Grant
amount: $80,795
Ready to take the next step with Deaconess Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding focus in Ohio and New York, with particular emphasis on the Metropolitan St. Louis community.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $59,925,646
- Total revenues: $3,734,342
- Total expenses: $3,129,662
- Giving rate: 5.1%
Staffing:
- 3 employees (as of most recent filing)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $59,925,646 | $56,294,921 | $52,594,762 |
| Revenue | $3,734,342 | $1,278,385 | $1,585,332 |
| Expenses | $3,129,662 | $3,156,011 | $3,391,884 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,965,484 | $3,120,026 | $3,176,977 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,614,269 | $1,482,088 | $1,466,282 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,866,310 | $2,668,772 | $2,749,378 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Youth Opportunities Unlimited ($230,000), Towards Employment ($195,000), College Now Greater Cleveland ($130,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARCHWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CLEVELAND, OH | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH | $3,000 |
| ARGONAUT CLEVELAND, OH | GRANTS | $50,000 |
| BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS UNLIMITED CLEVELAND, OH | 2024 PRESIDENTS GRANT | $5,000 |
| CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS CLEVELAND, OH | GRANTS | $20,000 |
| CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES NEW YORK, NY | GRANTS | $50,000 |
| CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY DBA STARTING POINT CLEVELAND, OH | PRESIDENTS DISCRETIONARY GRANT | $15,000 |
| CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER WESTLAKE, OH | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH | $1,500 |
| CLAGUE ROAD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NORTH OLMSTED, OH | 2024 MISSION OUTREACH GRANT | $3,000 |
| CLEVELAND CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY (DBA NEWBRIDGE) CLEVELAND, OH | GRANTS | $115,000 |
| GREATER CLEVELAND WORKS CLEVELAND, OH | GRANTS | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cathy Belk - President & CEO
- Carrie Clark - Board Chair
- Andrea Lyons - Vice Chair
- Laurie Pogel - Secretary
- Meltrice Sharp - Treasurer
- Trustees: Justin Horton, Kenneth Liang, Tom Littman, Ann O'Brien, Miguel Perez
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATHY BELK | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $234,050 |
| CARRIE CLARK | BOARD CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| JUSTIN HORTON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KENNETH LIANG | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| TOM LITTMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ANDREA LYONS | VICE CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| ANN O'BRIEN | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MIGUEL PEREZ | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| LAURIE POGEL | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| MELTRICE SHARP | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| ANN ZOLLER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In December 2025, Deaconess Foundation announced $450,000 in grants to organizations dedicated to youth and older adults in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.
Press Releases Archives - Deaconess FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Deaconess Foundation fund?
**Mission:** In the spirit of its faith heritage, the mission of Deaconess Foundation is the improved health of the Metropolitan St. Louis community and its people. **Vision:** Deaconess Foundation envisions a community that values the health and well-being of all children and gives priority attention to the most vulnerable. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Workforce development, particularly in the manufacturing sector • Youth …
How do I apply for a grant from Deaconess Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $1,999,351 to $2,965,484 (based on most recent filings) • Typical grant range: $250–$300,000 • Average grant amount: $80,795 • Median grant amount: $20,250 • Number of grants awarded: 159 grants across recent years, with 23 grants made in the most recent year **Grant Programs:** • General Purpose Grants • 2024 Mission Outreach • 2024 Connections • 2023 Connections • Workforce Development Connections **Recent Grantees Include:** • Youth Opportunities Unlimited…
Where does Deaconess Foundation make grants?
Primary funding focus in Ohio and New York, with particular emphasis on the Metropolitan St. Louis community.
What size grants does Deaconess Foundation award?
In 2024, Deaconess Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $42K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Deaconess Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Deaconess Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Deaconess Foundation's EIN?
Deaconess Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1372066. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Deaconess Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cooper Tire Foundation Inc
AKRON, OH
Assets
$71K
Grants
2
Total Given
$67K
Auburn Education Foundation
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH
Assets
$352K
Grants
2
Total Given
$214K
Galpin-white Ta
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$16K
Grants
1
Total Given
$887
The Cleveland Superior Arts
CLEVELAND, OH
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$251K
Mary E H Rutter Tr Para 28
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$401K
Grants
1
Total Given
$26K
Carrie Peska Memorial Scholarship Fund
ANDOVER, OH
Assets
$19K
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Deaconess Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Deaconess Foundation to a real strategy.