Ridgecliff Foundation
Ridgecliff Foundation is a private foundation based in Fairview Park, Ohio. It provides grants to nonprofit organizations for programs with a mental health or chemical dependency component, focusing on client services, prevention, and education in ten Northeast Ohio counties.
Ridgecliff Foundation at a glance
In short: Ridgecliff Foundation gave $402K across 41 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Ohio. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $402,370
- -9.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- -2.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,814
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $8,009,285
- +2.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (6 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ridgecliff Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says to see its grant guidelines for application materials and deadlines.
- Review Cycle
- March 31 and September 30. The website lists notification dates of August 31 and February 28, respectively.
- Deadline
- March 31 and September 30.
- Contact
Application contact: Ridgecliff Foundation Inc
Mailing address: C/O Paul Mchugh, 2487 Saybrook Rd, University Hts, OH 44118
Phone: (216) 496-6307
Email: paul.mchugh@53.com
Website: https://ridgecliff.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ridgecliff Foundation
Who Ridgecliff Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Salvation Army ($38K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $235K.
Grant Size Distribution
220 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 220 grants of 220 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation limits grantmaking to Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Summit, and Trumbull counties in Northeast Ohio. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ridgecliff Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 26 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−19%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 89% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $402K (2024) to $552K (2022). In 2024 it made 41 grants totaling $402K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Salvation Army Cleveland, OH | Light Substance Abuse Recovery Prog | $25,000 |
| University Hospitals Cleveland, OH | Telepsychiatry Pilot Program | $19,500 |
| Cornerstone of Hope Independence, OH | Greiving Children and Teens | $17,500 |
| Cornerstone of Hope Independence, OH | Greiving Children and Teens | $17,500 |
| Womensafe Inc Chardon, OH | Clinical Services Program | $17,500 |
| Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Cleveland, OH | Leadership and Re-Entry Program | $12,500 |
| Lifeact Chagrin Falls, OH | Suicide Prevention | $12,500 |
| Lifeact Chagrin Falls, OH | Suicide Prevention | $12,500 |
| Neighborhood Family Practice Cleveland, OH | Program Services | $12,500 |
| Newbridge Place Lodi, OH | Promote Mental Well Being | $12,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Ridgecliff Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,009,285 | $684,529 | $479,609 | $402,370 | 41 | $436,682 | $665,979 | $488,555 |
| 2023 | $7,788,648 | $164,966 | $461,737 | $443,307 | 42 | $465,544 | $361,495 | $442,824 |
| 2022 | $8,109,154 | $159,290 | $579,978 | $551,523 | 45 | $569,995 | $378,322 | $483,776 |
| 2021 | $8,541,293 | $539,703 | $581,998 | $496,667 | 46 | $517,547 | $520,951 | $508,463 |
| 2020 | $8,539,266 | $396,011 | $537,191 | $499,203 | 46 | — | $377,570 | $446,800 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ridgecliff Foundation reported a distributable amount of $489K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to fund nonprofit organizations with a mental health or chemical dependency component, supporting programs that promote client services, prevention, and education. Grant requests must address mental health or chemical dependency through education, prevention, or treatment.
The foundation’s 2024 grantees illustrate the range of supported services. WomenSafe describes its work as emergency shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence, including counseling and education. Cornerstone of Hope describes itself as a bereavement support center offering professional programs for children, teens, and adults experiencing loss. Newbridge Place says it provides 24-hour care and long-term housing for people and veterans living with chronic mental illness. LIFEACT describes its mission as suicide prevention education for young people.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Ridgecliff reported 41 grants totaling $402,370. Awards ranged from $2,250 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. Larger grants included $25,000 to The Salvation Army for its LIGHT substance abuse recovery program; $19,500 to University Hospitals for a telepsychiatry pilot program; and $17,500 each to Cornerstone of Hope for grieving children and teens and WomenSafe for clinical services. Other awards included $12,500 to LIFEACT for suicide prevention, Newbridge Place to promote mental well-being, and I Am Boundless for day habilitation behavioral health.
Requests must be for specific projects; general operating support is not eligible. The foundation does not fund construction, capital equipment, or feasibility studies. The program’s published summary also lists research among excluded activities. Applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofit organizations; grants are not awarded directly to individuals. Only one grant may be provided to an organization in a 12-month period. Applicants seeking multi-year support must reapply each year. Project sustainability and outcome measurement are expected, and awarded funds must be spent within one year after approval.
Applications are submitted online. Required materials include a project name and description, amount requested, completion timeline, project-specific budget, measurable outcomes, current audited financial statements or Form 990, board members and affiliations, 501(c)(3) documentation, and the county or location where services will take place. An on-site visit may be required.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paul McHugh as president; Catherine Rutti as treasurer; Elena Lidrbauch as first vice president; Hollie Gallagher as second vice president; Mary Ternes as secretary; and Roberta Taliaferro, Mary Terese Matousek, Tao Pan, Pat Fahey, and Rob McLelland as trustees.
Ridgecliff Foundation is led by Paul McHugh, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paul McHugh
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mary Terese Matousek
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Roberta Taliaferro
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tao Pan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Pat Fahey
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Rob McLelland
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Neal Frantz
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Catherine Rutti
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Elena Lidrbauch
1st Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Hollie Gallagher
2nd Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mary Ternes
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: J. David Ingersoll (2020–2023) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ridgecliff Foundation
How much does Ridgecliff Foundation give each year?
Ridgecliff Foundation gave $402K across 41 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $443K across 42 grants.
What is Ridgecliff Foundation's typical grant size?
Ridgecliff Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,814, across 41 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ridgecliff Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Ridgecliff Foundation give grants?
Ridgecliff Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (18 grants), Cleve, OH (6 grants), Independence, OH (2 grants) and Chagrin Falls, OH (2 grants).
Does Ridgecliff Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 41 grants with a stated purpose on Ridgecliff Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Ridgecliff Foundation's largest grantees?
Ridgecliff Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Salvation Army ($37,500 across 2 grants), Cornerstone of Hope ($35,000 across 2 grants) and Lifeact ($25,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ridgecliff Foundation?
Ridgecliff Foundation reported $8.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $437K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $489K (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 Ridgecliff Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to fund nonprofit organizations with a mental health or chemical dependency component, supporting programs that promote client services, prevention, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ridgecliff Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says to see its grant guidelines for application materials and deadlines. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ridgecliff Foundation's EIN?
Ridgecliff Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1671405. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ridgecliff Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ridgecliff-foundation-morg_0efb429db69541f690b7a2e2a1ca3de7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_341671405_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ridgecliff Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ridgecliff-foundation-morg_0efb429db69541f690b7a2e2a1ca3de7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Ridgecliff 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.
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