Saint Luke's Foundation Board Grants (Applications over $25,000)

Saint Luke's Foundation offers grants over $25,000 to organizations promoting health equity in Cuyahoga County. Through a rigorous review process, funded projects must align with the foundation's mission to address social determinants of health, particularly in targeted neighborhoods. Eligible applicants include public charities and governmental agencies. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that foster long-term collaborations and innovative solutions aimed at reducing health disparities, ensuring community engagement and strategic alignment in its funding decisions.

NOTE: Applications are accepted by invitation only—applicants who we feel are a good fit for our strategies will be given an access code to complete the application after speaking with a staff member through our Get Acquainted process (in lieu of an LOI). Please contact the foundation with details about your organization and the project for which you are seeking funding, and you will be matched with a staff member to learn more about your organization and request.
Advancing Long-Term Health Initatives
We award board grants to impactful organizations committed to community betterment. These substantial grants, typically exceeding $25,000, undergo a review process lasting 3 to 6 months, and require the approval of our Board of Trustees.
Our board grants aim to support long-term collaborations and innovative organizations, programs, and initiatives that focus on bridging gaps in health disparities.
Program or Project Grant
The foundation funds programs that serve the Woodhill, Buckeye-Shaker, and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods; and,All programs funded must serve at least one of the three Saint Luke’s neighborhoods; and,
Funding consideration for programs extending outside of the Saint Luke’s footprint will be based upon the applicant’s:Volume of the proposed services within Saint Luke’s FootprintExisting programs within the Saint Luke’s FootprintExisting relationships with stakeholders of the foundation
General Operating Support
The foundation considers operational grants to organizations that consistently serve Cuyahoga County and at least one of the three Saint Luke’s neighborhoods
Strategy Partners (formerly known as grantees) are considered for operational funding based on strategy alignment (e.g., the organization as a whole or a particular program) as well as our relationship with and knowledge of the organization.
Capital Investment Grant
Capital investment grants are primarily for projects related to improving physical spaces within Saint Luke’s footprintPlease note that the Saint Luke’s Foundation does not fund private development projects or investments
Policy & Advocacy Support
Research & policy advocacy work does not have to take place within Saint Luke’s footprint
Research and policy work funded by the foundation must engage the impacted population within Cuyahoga County. Research must adhere to the principles of community-based participatory research.

Eligibility

The Foundation provides grants to organizations supporting our target neighborhoods and throughout Cuyahoga County.Applicants must be either an organization designated as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a governmental unit or agency.If your organization does not have this designation, you may use a fiscal sponsor – please notify Saint Luke’s staff if this is the case.

Ineligibility

On rare occasion the Saint Luke’s board may consider funding outside of its strategic focus for unusual, unique and unpredictable events such as natural disasters and other acts of God within Cuyahoga CountySaint Luke's Does Not Fund:Religious organizations for religious or evangelical purposesIndividualsProjects outside Cuyahoga County that do not directly benefit Cuyahoga County residentsFundraising eventsEndowment fundsBiomedical researchDebt retirement or reductionFunding short-fallsLobbyingPrivate Foundations or public charities with 509(a)(3), Type III, Non Functionally Integrated designation from the IRSOrganizations that in their constitution, by-laws or practices discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious beliefPrivate development projects or investments