The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation

CLEVELAND, OH EIN: 31-1284344

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation is a corporate foundation established in 1962 and based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is part of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., a major player in the mining and steel industry. The foundation has been a dedicated resource for charitable giving activities in the United States for over 60 years, with a focus on supporting social sustainability initiatives across numerous communities.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$6.9M

-24.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$5.3M

-17.3% YoY

Grant Count

178

-13.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$30K

-4.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $424K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation strives to have a positive impact in the areas where Cleveland-Cliffs operates by partnering with and investing in non-profit organizations that:

  • Enhance educational opportunities, including mining and related technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
  • Protect and improve the environment
  • Promote human health through health and human services, youth activities, safety, and support for the underserved
  • Support vibrant communities through local infrastructure, environmental initiatives, community activities, and cultural institutions

Grantmaking

The foundation made grants totaling approximately $3.5 million in 2024, with 131 grants distributed. Recent notable grants include:

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports communities across multiple U.S. states and cities where Cleveland-Cliffs operates, including:

  • Ohio (primary focus, including Cleveland)
  • Michigan (including Detroit)
  • Illinois (including Chicago)
  • Pennsylvania
  • Indiana
  • Additional states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia

Grant Distribution by State

28states
+20 more states

Cities

AkronAllison ParkAmblerArlingtonAshlandAuroraBabbittBakerstownBeachwoodBethlehemBig BayBlue AshBluefieldBowling GreenBoys TownBrook ParkBurbankBurns HarborButlerChapel Hill

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total Assets: $6,936,569
  • Total Revenues: $3,764,684
  • Total Expenses: $4,053,690
  • Total Giving: Approximately $3.5 million

Historical Data:

  • Assets (2019): Over $9 million
  • Foundation Expenses (2019): $5,818,514
  • Foundation Revenue (2019): $6,646,330
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$5M$7M$10M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$6,936,569$9,122,763$9,721,732
Revenue$3,764,684$6,646,330$6,186,114
Expenses$4,053,690$5,818,514$8,859,886
Qualifying Distributions$5,273,828$6,423,208$6,802,325
Net Investment Income$1,752,684$2,176,274$178,028
Distributable Amount$424,419$531,680$663,906

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$3M$5M$7M6 grants2020197 grants2021214 grants2022205 grants2023178 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEV…$472KDUNELAND YMCA INC$125KASM MATERIALS EDUCATION$100KCLEVELAND CLINIC FDN PHI…$100KAMERICAN RED CROSS$50KBEAT THE STREETS CLEVELAND$50KBUTLER COUNTY UNITED WAY$50KBUTLER FARM SHOW INC$50KCATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCE…$50KDEARBORN EDUCATION FOUND…$50K

Grant Size Distribution

206 grants across all recorded years

171<$50K20$50–100K10$100–250K5$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include College Now Greater Cleveland ($472,000), Duneland Ymca Inc ($125,000), Asm Materials Education ($100,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
AEOA VIRGINIA, MNGENERAL SUPPORT$17,500
ALABAMA CHILDHOOD FOOD SOLUTIONS SYLACAUGA, ALGENERAL SUPPORT$2,500
ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION BEACHWOOD, OHGENERAL SUPPORT$1,000
AMERICAN HEART ASSOC INC BLUE ASH, OHGENERAL SUPPORT$25,000
AMERICAN RED CROSS CLEVELAND, OHGENERAL SUPPORT$50,000
AMERICAN RED CROSS CLEVELAND, OHGENERAL SUPPORT$10,000
ANGELS AMONG US OUTREACH TOLEDO, OHGENERAL SUPPORT$2,500
ASM MATERIALS EDUCATION MATERIALS PARK, OHGENERAL SUPPORT$100,000
ASSOCIATION FOR IRON & STEEL TEC WARRENDALE, PAGENERAL SUPPORT$34,000
ASSOCIATION FOR THE WOLF LAKE WHITING, INGENERAL SUPPORT$6,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

No officer/director data available.

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation continues to support educational and community initiatives. Recent activity includes donations to educational institutions and support for youth and healthy communities programs in areas where Cleveland-Cliffs operates.

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation fund?

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation strives to have a positive impact in the areas where Cleveland-Cliffs operates by partnering with and investing in non-profit organizations that: • Enhance educational opportunities, including mining and related technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) • Protect and improve the environment • Promote human health through health and human services, youth activities, safety, and support for the underserved • Support vibrant communities throug…

How do I apply for a grant from The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation?

The foundation made grants totaling approximately $3.5 million in 2024, with 131 grants distributed. Recent notable grants include: • College Now Greater Cleveland: $472,000 (2024) • American Online Giving Foundation: $459,857 (2024) • United Way of Northwest Indiana: $175,000 (2024) **Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program** The foundation offers a competitive scholarship awarding $3,000 annually for a maximum of four years while enrolled in an undergraduate institution. The program is adminis…

Where does The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation make grants?

The foundation supports communities across multiple U.S. states and cities where Cleveland-Cliffs operates, including: • Ohio (primary focus, including Cleveland) • Michigan (including Detroit) • Illinois (including Chicago) • Pennsylvania • Indiana • Additional states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virg…

What size grants does The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation award?

In 2024, The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation awarded 178 grants totaling $5.3M — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $424K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation's EIN?

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1284344. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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