Cleveland Cliffs Foundation Grants

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, established in 1962, focuses on enhancing educational opportunities, environmental protection, and community health in the regions it operates. As a leading steel manufacturer, Cleveland-Cliffs is committed to sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship. The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations that address key challenges in education, the environment, and community well-being, ensuring impactful investments that help communities thrive across North America.

Founded in 1847 as a mine operator, Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading steel company in North America today. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. Cleveland-Cliffs produces the highest quality steel by utilizing the best practices in the steel industry.
Cliffs is the largest supplier of steel to the automotive industry in North America and serve a diverse range of other markets due to our comprehensive offering of flat-rolled steel products. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland-Cliffs employs approximately 30,000 people—including more than 90% of its hourly workforce represented by a labor union— across its operations in the United States and Canada.
At Cleveland-Cliffs, we care deeply about the communities in which we operate, and where our employees live and work. Through these focus areas, we have formed partnerships with schools, community organizations, neighborhood groups and other charities.
The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation was established in 1962 and has been a dedicated resource for charitable giving activities in the United States for over 60 years.
The mission of The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation is 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, protect and improve the environment, promote human health, and support vibrant communities.
Our Areas of Focus
Cleveland-Cliffs and our philanthropic Foundation invest in programs that serve the communities where we operate and meet one of our focus areas:
Education: Partnering with organizations that build skills, including STEM skills, across all age groups; preparing a ready workforce; and increasing employment opportunities for community members.Environment: Supporting organizations that protect and restore the environment through land and water restoration, creating green spaces, and promoting sustainable communities and natural areas.Healthy & Vibrant Communities: Working to build healthy, safe, vibrant communities by providing services and creating opportunities for underserved populations; funding programs that promote healthy lifestyles and combat disease; and investing in community-improvement initiatives led by arts, cultural and civic institutions.

Eligibility

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation makes community investments on the basis of two primary criteria:501(c)(3) registered organizations based on IRS designations.Projects should be implemented in the communities where Cleveland-Cliffs has operations.Proposed projects should support education, improve the environment, and/or support healthy and vibrant communities.

Ineligibility

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation does not support the following:Organizations not 501(c)(3) registered based on IRS designations. Some exceptions may be made for schools, libraries and public safety.Grants to individualsTrips, tours and associated costsPolitical causes, candidates, organizations or campaignsForm letter requestsReligious organizations and groups which are denominational or sectarian in purposes such as churches, missionary groups, etc.Organizations not compliant with the USA Patriot ActLoans or investmentsGrants to cover operating deficitsOrganizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.