General Grantmaking Program

Geographic Scope: Cleveland's Central neighborhood (primary focus)

Mission: Addressing the social drivers of health to improve the lives of people living in poverty

Focus Areas

• Health and access to care (including addiction medicine and behavioral health)
• Education
• Food security
• Family engagement and stability
• Economic mobility
• Addressing systemic barriers contributing to poverty and health disparities

Eligibility

• Applicant Type: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or governmental entities
• Service Area: Organizations serving Cleveland's Central neighborhood and surrounding communities
• Mission Alignment: Programs and services must demonstrate commitment to the needs of the poor and underserved
• Compliance: Request must comply with local, state and federal laws
• Budget Limits: Newer nonprofits and those with budgets under $100,000 are limited to $10,000 maximum requests
• Grant Considerations: Foundation considers whether cost is reasonable for proposed project, if budget is proportional to organizational budget, and if other funding sources could cover all or part of costs

What the Foundation Will NOT Fund

• Annual appeals or membership drives
• Capital requests
• Computers
• Debt reduction
• Endowments
• Grants to individuals
• Scholarships
• Vehicles

Background

• Grantmaking resumed January 26, 2026 following a strategic pause that began at the end of 2024
• Since 1996, the Foundation has invested over $75 million in support of over 750 grantees
• Leveraged more than $150 million in additional community investment
• Ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System
• Guided by Catholic social teaching and the legacy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine

Contact Information

Grants and Operations Manager: Anne Savastano

• Email: asavastano@scfcanton.org
• Phone: 330.454.5800, ext. 304

Important Notes

• The Foundation reserves the right to change or modify grant guidelines as determined by its distribution committee and the board
• Continued funding is not guaranteed; organizations may reapply for another grant when the current grant period ends and all reports are submitted and finalized
• Organizations whose applications are declined may resubmit an LOI at any time

Application Process

The Foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) on a rolling basis through its online grantmaking portal.

Step 1: Eligibility Assessment

Determine if your organization meets the Foundation's eligibility criteria (501(c)(3) status, serves Cleveland's Central neighborhood, mission alignment)

Step 2: Review Grant Restrictions

Confirm your request is not for restricted purposes (annual appeals, capital requests, computers, debt reduction, endowments, grants to individuals, scholarships, or vehicles)

Step 3: Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

1. Complete the LOI form through the online grantmaking portal
2. The LOI helps Foundation staff determine whether the organization and request align with mission and guidelines
3. Timeline: Must be submitted within 90 days of starting the form, or information will be deleted
4. Response Time: You will receive a response within two weeks of submission

Step 4: Submit Full Grant Application (if LOI approved)

1. If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full grant application
2. Log back into the online system and complete the application
3. Timeline: Must be submitted within 90 days of starting, or information will be deleted
4. Foundation staff will update you on decision timing
5. Application and summary will be reviewed by the Foundation's full board of directors
6. Board votes on whether to fund the request and at what level
7. You will be notified of the board's decision after their vote

Required Materials

• Budget Form (Excel)
• Funding Status Form (Excel)
• Budget Narrative Form (Word)
• Documentation of current enrollment, program acceptance, or progress (if applicable)

Contact for Technical Issues

Grants and Operations Manager: Anne Savastano

• Email: asavastano@scfcanton.org
• Phone: 330.454.5800, ext. 304