Cleveland Foundation

Happy Pride!

Our team had a great time marching and celebrating at Pride in the CLE yesterday!

Applications are now open for the second round of grantmaking from the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund.
Learn more here: https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/philanthropy-giving/ways-to-give/affinity-funds/lgbtq-opportunity-fund

We are gearing up for a great night of Guardians baseball on Monday, June 8! Before you join us in the Pennant District to celebrate Pride Night, test your Cleveland baseball knowledge with a fun quiz.

Take the quiz here: https://www.cleguardsquiz.site/

Share how you did below!

Join us at the City Club as the Cleveland Foundation's Lillian Kuri sits down with author Rey Ramsey to discuss his new book, The Tyranny of False Choices: A Guide To Authentic Decision-Making. The conversation will focus on reclaiming courage and personal agency required in leadership in tumultuous times.

Secure your tickets here: https://www.cityclub.org/forums/2026/06/08/the-tyranny-of-false-choices

The Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program is in its 27th year of connecting emerging professionals with career-launching opportunities in the nonprofit and public sector.

Meet this year's cohort here: https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/stories-events/stories-news/2026/05/21/introducing-the-cleveland-foundation-2026-summer-internship-program-cohort

This month, the Lake Geauga Fund at the Cleveland Foundation opened its grant process to applicants in Lake and Geauga counties. Grants up to $75,000 will be awarded in support of transformative projects in the region. All applications must be complete by June 8.

Learn more here:

The Lake Geauga Fund at the Cleveland Foundation This month, the Lake Geauga Fund at the Cleveland Foundation opened its grant process to applicants.

Yesterday our board member, Reverend Dr. Robin Hedgeman, joined our team for a conversation about the power of stewardship and being active members of your community. She stressed that stewardship is not just about what you have, but how you manage what you have.

Thank you for spending the afternoon with us, Reverend Hedgeman.

Join the Cleveland Foundation in the Paul Davis Pennant District for the Guardians Pride Night on June 8. Every special event access ticket supports the LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund to provide resources for Greater Cleveland organizations serving and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.

We cannot wait to celebrate Pride and watch the Guardians take on the Yankees next month!

Secure your ticket to the Pride Night game here: https://www.mlb.com/guardians/fans/pride-night

Our Senior Manager, Venue and Guest Services, Chris Nierstheimer, was awarded the Anna Maria Murphy Award by his peers from New Partners of Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center & Speech Center last week. Serving as the Vice President of the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center associate board, New Partners, Chris was recognized for his outstanding commitment, service, and contributions to their mission.

Join us in congratulating Chris for this honor!

This spring, we promoted five of our team members and expanded the foundation with four new hires!

Anthony Gattuso assumed the role of Senior Vice President, Finance, Investments & Treasurer. For the past decade, Tony has played a critical role in stewarding the Foundation’s financial strength and operational discipline. His leadership across finance and investments has helped ensure our resources are managed responsibly and strategically in service of our mission.

Jason Weiner was promoted to Director, Organizational Impact and Community Philanthropy. Over his nine years at the Foundation, Jason has become a trusted partner to individuals, families and non-profits seeking to shape their philanthropic goals.
Brittany Schultz will serve as the Director, Donor Impact and Philanthropy. Since joining the Foundation in 2017, Brittany has advanced our work by fostering deep relationships with individuals, families and organizations as they pursue their philanthropic goals.

Mike Hood has been promoted to the Director, Place-Based Development. Mike has played a pivotal role in transforming Sixty6 from an idea into a thriving destination for music and community in less than a year. At the same time, he has strengthened the sense of connection within the MidTown Collaboration Center by building a powerful system of engagement among tenants through shared experiences and programming.

Chris Nierstheimer will serve as the Senior Manager, Venue and Guest Services. At the heart of Chris’s work is a clear focus on hospitality and how people feel when they walk through our doors. From first impression to lasting experience, he ensures our spaces are welcoming and their experience is memorable so that they return.

We are also glad to welcome Dena Mooty, Director of Brand Experience, Tanya Reynolds, Manager, Strategic Communications, Dr. Cristina González Alcalá, Director of Connecting People to Prosperity, and Michelle Sese, Senior Paralegal, Charitable Planning & Administration.

Learn more about our team here: https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/about-us/board-staff