Deaconess Foundation
Deaconess Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its 2025 filing reports 41 grants totaling $1,950,500, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Ohio. The foundation’s website describes its mission and grantmaking strategy as focused on improving health and well-being in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois through policy, advocacy, organizing, and systems change.
Deaconess Foundation at a glance
In short: Deaconess Foundation gave $2.0M across 41 grants in 2025 (avg $48K), mostly in Ohio. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,950,500
- -2.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 41
- -12.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $47,573
- +12.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $65,417,952
- +9.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (5 of 40, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Deaconess Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 5787, Cleveland, OH 44101
Phone: (216) 503-9351
Website: https://deaconess.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Deaconess Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Youth Opportunities Unlimited ($222K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($295,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
226 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 156 grants of 226 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says its advocacy and grantmaking footprint includes St. Louis City and St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, and Franklin Counties in Missouri, and Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties in Illinois. The 2025 filing shows that 94% of grant dollars went to Ohio recipients and 6% to New York recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Deaconess Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 40 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−18%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2019) to $2.5M (2020). In 2025 it made 41 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $295,000 |
| Youth Opportunities Unlimited Cleveland, OH | Workforce Programs | $222,000 |
| Fund for Our Economic Future Cleveland, OH | Workforce Programs | $220,000 |
| Cleveland Center for Arts & Technology (DBA Newbridge) Cleveland, OH | Healthcare Training Programs and Healthcare Sector Partnership | $100,000 |
| Legal Aid Society of Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Workforce Programs | $100,000 |
| Open Doors Academy Cleveland, OH | Workforce Programs | $90,000 |
| Greater Cleveland Works Cleveland, OH | Workforce Programs | $80,000 |
| Ohio Guidestone Berea, OH | Operating Support for Workforce 360 | $80,000 |
| The Centers for Families & Children Cleveland, OH | Workforce Programs | $80,000 |
| College Now Greater Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Workforce Programs | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Deaconess Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing type: Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $65,417,952 | $4,248,139 | $2,923,460 | $1,950,500 | 41 | $2,769,353 | $4,142,321 | $3,030,141 |
| 2024 | $59,925,646 | $3,734,342 | $3,129,662 | $1,994,000 | 47 | $2,965,484 | $3,614,269 | $2,866,310 |
| 2023 | $56,294,921 | $1,278,385 | $3,156,011 | $2,258,798 | 43 | $3,120,026 | $1,482,088 | $2,668,772 |
| 2022 | $52,594,762 | $1,585,332 | $3,391,884 | $2,369,853 | 48 | $3,176,977 | $1,466,282 | $2,749,378 |
| 2021 | $66,178,991 | $3,457,105 | $2,760,990 | $1,767,292 | 47 | $2,608,538 | $3,321,210 | $3,153,618 |
| 2020 | $61,608,320 | $12,695,039 | $3,765,098 | $2,541,500 | 23 | — | $12,438,892 | $2,532,728 |
| 2019 | $56,172,694 | $2,527,248 | $2,734,546 | $1,667,100 | 26 | — | $2,228,132 | $2,610,490 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Deaconess Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Deaconess Foundation’s website describes a vision of liberation within seven generations and a community where health and well-being are valued, with priority given to people who are most invisibilized. Its grantmaking strategy supports policy development, advocacy, organizing, coalition and base building, civic engagement, and public policy efforts intended to advance systemic change and community well-being.
The website identifies health care, economic mobility, justice and equity, and early childhood education as desired-impact areas. Its 2026 Seeding the Future grants support systems-change efforts and do not fund service delivery, event sponsorship, grants to individuals, capital campaigns, emergency operational funds, candidate election activity, or strictly programmatic work.
Examples of organizations receiving 2025 grants illustrate a range of work. Youth Opportunities Unlimited says it equips teens and young adults with skills and experiences for the workforce and life. College Now Greater Cleveland says it works to increase postsecondary educational attainment through advising, financial aid counseling, scholarships, and retention services. Resource Cleveland says it serves international newcomers. An individual recipient & Restaurant Institute describes its work as preparing formerly incarcerated and other disadvantaged people for hospitality careers and re-entry. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing reports 41 grants totaling $1,950,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,400 to $245,000, with a median of $30,000. The largest listed organizational awards included $222,000 to Youth Opportunities Unlimited and $220,000 to Fund for Our Economic Future, both for workforce programs; $100,000 to Cleveland Center for Arts & Technology, doing business as NewBridge, for healthcare training programs and a healthcare-sector partnership; and $100,000 to Legal Aid Society of Cleveland for workforce programs.
Other 2025 awards included $90,000 to Open Doors Academy, $80,000 each to Greater Cleveland Works, Ohio Guidestone, and The Centers for Families & Children, and $75,000 each to College Now Greater Cleveland, Resource Cleveland, and The Salvation Army. The filing also lists an award of $245,000 to an individual recipient for workforce programs and the Deb Vesy Systems Change Champion Award. Separately, an individual recipient describes itself as a workforce organization and is listed among organizations receiving support in 2025.
The foundation’s 2026 Policy Campaign Grant supports one campaign or collaborative effort with $100,000 in unrestricted general operating funding for one year; the grant is non-renewable. The published proposal deadline was January 30, 2026, which has passed. Its 2026 Seeding the Future grants are $20,000 each, for one year and non-renewable; the FAQ says organizations must submit a new proposal for each cycle. The application page describes proposal submission through the foundation’s grantmaking system, but the supplied information does not state a deadline for Seeding the Future.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Cathy Belk as President & CEO. Listed board officers and trustees include Carrie Clark, Justin R. Horton, Kenneth Liang, Tom Littman, Andrea Lyons, Ann O’Brien, Miguel Perez, Laurie Pogel, and Meltrice Sharp. The filing records several officer roles changing during the year: Clark and Littman served as trustees for part of the year, Lyons shifted between vice chair and chair, and Liang and Sharp held treasurer roles in different periods.
Deaconess Foundation is led by Cathy Belk, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cathy Belk
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$44K (2020) → $259K (2025)
Carrie Clark
Trustee Chair
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Trustee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann O'Brien
Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin R. Horton CFP
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Liang
Treasurer Trustee
Trustee → Treasurer Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Zoller
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miguel Perez
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Hardiman
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shakorie Davis
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Pogel
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Lyons
Chair Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meltrice Sharp
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Littman
Vice Chair Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → Vice Chair Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Colette Jones (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joe Nanni (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Scott Hamilton (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Russell Lamb (2019–2022) — Former Board Chair
- Former: David Reines (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Deborah Vesy (2019–2020) — Former President & CEO
- Former: John Nestor (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Lawrence Yunaska (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Maggie Jackson (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Littman (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Sally Raber Turner (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $259K, to Cathy Belk (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Deaconess Foundation
How much does Deaconess Foundation give each year?
Deaconess Foundation gave $2.0M across 41 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.0M across 47 grants.
What is Deaconess Foundation's typical grant size?
Deaconess Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $47,573, across 41 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Deaconess Foundation that year got $32K on average.
Where does Deaconess Foundation give grants?
Deaconess Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (24 grants), New York, NY (2 grants), Chagrin Falls, OH (2 grants) and Westlake, OH (2 grants).
Does Deaconess Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Deaconess Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Workforce Programs" (16 grants), "2025 Mission Outreach" (7 grants) and "Presidents Fund" (4 grants).
Who are Deaconess Foundation's largest grantees?
Deaconess Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Youth Opportunities Unlimited ($222,000), Fund for Our Economic Future ($220,000) and Cleveland Center for Arts & Technology (DBA Newbridge) ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($295,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Deaconess Foundation?
Deaconess Foundation reported $65.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Deaconess Foundation fund?
Deaconess Foundation’s website describes a vision of liberation within seven generations and a community where health and well-being are valued, with priority given to people who are most invisibilized. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Deaconess Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Does Deaconess Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 6, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Deaconess Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Deaconess Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/deaconess-foundation-morg_540d964dd30e4e0f89e0e000cc3acfee
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_341372066_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Deaconess Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/deaconess-foundation-morg_540d964dd30e4e0f89e0e000cc3acfee},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Deaconess Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Deaconess Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?