Sears-Swetland Family Foundation Grant

Sears-Swetland Family Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Sears-Swetland Family Foundation
Last Updated: January 19, 2026

Summary

The Sears-Swetland Family Foundation Grant supports non-profit programming in Greater Cleveland, focusing on environmental health, education, and sustainability. The foundation prioritizes 501(c)(3) organizations and accepts proposals with deadlines in March and September. Grants include operating support and community research, reflecting the foundation's commitment to urban revitalization and livable communities. Interested applicants should initiate contact via a letter of intent, leading to possible site visits and grant proposals.

Overview

Note: If you are interested in applying for a grant from our foundation, please send us a brief introduction and letter of intent via email. If your program fits within the bounds of our mission, we will set up a site visit to meet with the director or administrator of the program seeking funds. After a site visit, we may give an invitation for a grant proposal. Mission The Sears-Swetland Family Foundation is a small family foundation that is committed to serving the Greater Cleveland community through the support of non-profit programming in the areas of environmental and community health* and education, livable communities, and sustainability initiatives that enhance social, environmental, and economic outcomes. Our mission is to support healthy, livable communities, benefitting our city, its residents, and the regional economy that is inextricably tied to it. Since its creation, our foundation has had a strong environmental interest. We supported land acquisition through the Nature Conservancy, helped to found the Shaker Lakes Nature Center and supported organizations with environmental programs such as the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Botanical Garden. With the passage of time, our goals have evolved to include programming for urban revitalization and sustainability, environmental education and community health. Focus Areas Environmental Education Environmental Health Smart GrowthSustainable Communities The types of grants that we support include: Operating support Program support Internships and camperships supportCommunity research Capital campaign support We accept grants requests only from 501-C3 non-profit organizations. We have a Spring deadline for requests of March 1, and a Fall deadline for requests of September 1. The foundation does make multi-year grants to institutions. Our policy is then to take at least a year off from funding an organization after a multi-year grant cycle is completed, excluding operating grants. Please take into account that we are a small family foundation with a limited amount of funds to distribute each year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We accept grants requests only from 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the Greater Cleveland community.The foundation does make multi-year grants to institutions. Our policy is then to take at least a year off from funding an organization after a multi-year grant cycle is completed, excluding operating grants.Please take into account that we are a small family foundation with a limited amount of funds to distribute each year.