The Gries Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1986 in Cleveland, Ohio. Located in Shaker Heights, the foundation utilizes investment income—including interest dividends from investments, interest on temporary cash and savings, and gains from the sale of investments—for charitable giving purposes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0M
-10.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$339K
-73.5% YoY
Grant Count
33
-21.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-66.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gries Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $57K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's main focus is on general philanthropic activities in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. Primary funding interests include:
- Higher education
- Education
- Cultural programs, particularly the performing arts
- Hospitals and health planning
The foundation concentrates its support on charities of particular interest to its trustees.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants for operating support, lead contributions, and endowment funding. Recent grantmaking activity shows:
Ready to take the next step with The Gries Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports charitable organizations in Cleveland and the greater Cleveland area, though it also makes grants nationally.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total assets: $1,997,048
- Total revenues: $237,182
- Total expenses: $376,167
Historical (2023):
- Total assets: $2,241,060
- Total giving: $1,278,052
Historical (1992):
- Assets exceeded $3.9 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,997,048 | $2,241,060 | $3,793,062 |
| Revenue | $237,182 | $595,621 | $1,938,146 |
| Expenses | $376,167 | $1,323,885 | $439,391 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $338,521 | $1,278,052 | $382,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $86,002 | $241,581 | $1,063,254 |
| Distributable Amount | $57,229 | $98,512 | $75,717 |
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
209 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University Hospitals ($151,000), Suburban Temple ($53,000), American Jewish Committee ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVANTAGE CLEVELAND CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $500 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE PHILADELPHIA, PA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| BECK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS LAKEWOOD, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $500 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $500 |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDENHOLDEN ARB CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| CLEVELAND FOOD BANK CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation was established by Ellen D. Cole and Robert D. Gries, with Robert D. Gries serving as foundation president as of 1994. Robert D. Gries is a descendant of philanthropist Nathan Dauby.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH L GRIES | PRESIDENT-TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2017, Sally and Bob Gries were recognized to receive the Cleveland Play House Centennial Star Award. The foundation has also been involved in collaborative philanthropic efforts, including support alongside other major Cleveland foundations for cultural programming.
Gries family receives Family Impact Award for safe sleep education : InsideSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Gries Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's main focus is on general philanthropic activities in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. Primary funding interests include: • Higher education • Education • Cultural programs, particularly the performing arts • Hospitals and health planning The foundation concentrates its support on charities of particular interest to its trustees.
How do I apply for a grant from The Gries Family Foundation?
The foundation makes grants for operating support, lead contributions, and endowment funding. Recent grantmaking activity shows: • In 2024, the foundation made 50 grants totaling $338,521 • Notable 2024 grants included $151,000 to University Hospitals, $53,000 to Suburban Temple, $30,000 to the American Jewish Committee, and $11,000 to the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage • Historical data from 1992 indicates the foundation distributed $161,406 for 48 grants ranging between $188 and $20,000
Where does The Gries Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports charitable organizations in Cleveland and the greater Cleveland area, though it also makes grants nationally.
What size grants does The Gries Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Gries Family Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $339K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Gries Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Gries Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $57K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Gries Family Foundation's EIN?
The Gries Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1536795. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gries Family 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 The Gries Family 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 The Gries Family Foundation to a real strategy.