JumpStart Inc. is a nationally recognized nonprofit venture development organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1983, it operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to economic revitalization through entrepreneurial services and investing. The organization functions as a regional venture development entity, supporting startups and high-potential small businesses primarily in Northern Ohio. JumpStart combines capital, services, and connections to help entrepreneurs grow, researchers commercialize, and corporations innovate.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$86.3M
-4.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$260K
-52.4% YoY
Grant Count
16
-15.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
-43.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: JumpStart Inc. is committed to driving economic vitality by connecting entrepreneurs to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. The organization aims to unlock the full potential of diverse and ambitious entrepreneurs to economically transform entire communities.
Core Values: Humility, Collaboration, Accountability, and Entrepreneurship
Primary Focus Areas:
- Entrepreneurial services and venture investing
- Access to business-friendly capital for early-stage technology startups
- Seed investment capital and strategic guidance
- Non-dilutive grants and loans for small businesses
- Technical support and business development services
- Connection of entrepreneurs to subject matter experts, board members, management resources, and potential customers
Grantmaking
JumpStart functions as both a venture investor and provider of entrepreneurial services. Through fiscal year 2022, the organization has invested $78 million in 154 portfolio companies.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
JumpStart's primary geographic focus is Northern Ohio, with particular emphasis on the Cleveland region. The organization also operates in Oregon and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $86,338,107
- Total Revenue: $21,064,299
- Total Expenses: $27,704,022
- Total Giving: $362,779
Previous Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $90.3M
- Revenue: $22.6M
- Expenses: $24.6M
- Total Liabilities: $21.8M
Workforce: 91–93 employees
Rating: Four-Star rating with 100% score from independent charity evaluator
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $86,338,107 | $90,254,116 | $82,356,707 |
| Revenue | $21,064,299 | $22,585,465 | $21,511,113 |
| Expenses | $27,704,022 | $24,603,929 | $21,635,652 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,343,688 | $948,973 | $7,478,895 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
148 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Jumpstart Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Julie Jacono – CEO (as of most recent filing)
- Lorne Novick – Chief Executive Officer (joined January 2026)
- Corey James – Chief Impact Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEANNE COUGHLIN | BOARD CHAIR | 2 | — |
| KATE ASBECK | VICE CHAIR. TREASURER | 2 | — |
| CINDY TORRES ESSELL | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| BARBARA PAYNTER | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JOSE VASQUEZ | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| KARIM BOTROS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY CAMPANA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAROL CARUSO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GERRICK DOSS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LARRY FULTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIAN HALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEAN-CLAUDE KIHN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHERYL PEREZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK SAMOLCZYK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHARON TOEREK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH YUE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TODD GREEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIPUM LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DREW PURCELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BILL SEELBACH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN W GRACE JR | CHIEF PEOPLE, CULTURE, FACILITIES | 40 | $222,005 |
| TELEANGE THOMAS | CHIEF OPERATING & RELATION | 40 | $336,724 |
| JULIE JACONO | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | — | $150,000 |
| HARDIK DESAI | MANAGING PTNR, NEXT FUND | 40 | $288,800 |
| LORNE J NOVICK | CHIEF SERVICES OFFICER | 40 | $243,526 |
| ERIC AMANFOH | VP, FINANCE | 40 | $184,215 |
| KALIEGH GALLAGHER | VP, TECH SVC, NETWORK | 40 | $179,309 |
| NAKIA HUBBARD | SR VP, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $160,880 |
| DANIELLE MORRIS | SR DIR, REV & COMPLIANCE | 40 | $154,539 |
| RAY T LEACH | FORMER, CEO | 40 | $751,788 |
| KAREN C ADAME | FORMER, CFO | 40 | $285,894 |
| JEROLD J FRANTZ | FORMER, PRESIDENT JS VENTURE | 40 | $319,208 |
| KEVIN MENDELSOHN | FORMER, SR VENTURE | 40 | $210,555 |
| NADINE NANA | FORMER, VENTURE PARTNER | 40 | $168,480 |
| A LAMONT MACKLEY | FORMER. CHIEF INCLUSION | 40 | $137,863 |
| MATTHEW W MILLER | FORMER, MANAGING PARTNER | 40 | $239,962 |
| ROY EUGENE HODGE | FORMER, ENTREPRENUER IN RESIDENCE | 40 | $151,662 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
JumpStart has received significant state funding support for its technology entrepreneurship initiatives:
State Awards More Than $67.4 Million to Support Technology ...State of Ohio awarded more than $67.4 million to support technology entrepreneurs and startup companies, with JumpStart Inc. as a recipient
State Awards More Than $67.4 Million to Support Technology ...$31 million in state funds announced for JumpStart Inc. to support technology start-ups in Northeast Ohio
State Awards More Than $67.4 Million to Support Technology ...JumpStart Ventures awarded $35 million to invest in promising tech startups across Ohio
JumpStart Ventures Awarded $35M To Invest In Promising Tech ...Eleven Ohio investment funds, including JumpStart, were awarded $86 million collectively
Eleven Ohio investment funds awarded $86 millionRecent grant funding received from KeyBank Foundation ($5.0M in 2022), US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration ($2.0M in 2023), and The Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation (2024)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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