To ensure that grants are made from a neighborhood perspective, The Cleveland Foundation has turned over the responsibility to review grant applications and to make all funding decisions for the program to a committee made up of 25 Cleveland residents. Each Committee member was nominated by a neighborhood organization. The committee is designed to be broadly representative of Cleveland, with committee members serving for three-year terms. A number of alternates work with the committee, in preparation to assume roles as full committee members as vacancies arise. As alternates become Committee members, on an annual basis, nominations for new alternates are sought from Cleveland neighborhood groups.
Current Grant Making and Monitoring Committee members include:
Gloria Aron Detroit Shoreway
"Neighborhood Connections provides access to money for regular people to do creative grassroot organizing projects."
Joe Konen Bellaire-Puritas
"The success of our city is built neighborhood by neighborhood. Neighborhood Connections offers a jump start to those interested in growing strong neighborhoods."
Akilah Ashraff Lee-Harvard
"Funding grassroots organizations helps keep the roots of the community healthy."
Laverne McLain Mt. Pleasant/ Union Miles
"Neighborhood Connections can help address some of your community's concerns."
Reverend Heidi Barham Lee-Harvard
"Neighborhood Connections allows neighborhoods to benefit from the creativity and innovation that might otherwise go undiscovered."
Reverend Gordon Martin Stockyards
"Cleveland communities are unique, exciting, rich and full of talent. That's my city!"
Millie Caraballo Cudell
"I wanted to be a part of something that touched people. I just didn't realize how much it would touch me."
Emily Miller Ohio City
"Neighborhood Connections is an innovative funding source to help incubate grassroots programs that strengthen the core of our neighborhoods."
Benne Christian Mt. Pleasant
"Neighborhood Connections is a blessing! With hundreds of grassroot projects to build Clevelands neighborhoods, I'm honored to say it's one of the best organizations in the City of Cleveland."
J. Scott Muscatello Westown
"...such an opportunity to foster the creativity alive in
Cleveland."
No photo available
Grace Crawford Buckeye
Twila Norris Central
"Neighborhood Connections opens the door for grassroots organizations that want to make a positive difference in their community."
Fay Harris Ohio City
"It's nice to see the effects of Neighborhood Connections throughout the City of Cleveland."
Joyce Porozynski Slavic Village "Neighborhood Connections funds grassroot groups that are so important to creating connections between neighbors."
Michael Hoag Old Brooklyn
"Neighborhoods are the fundamental building blocks of healthy communities. Neighborhood Connections empowers grassroots organizations to play a vital role in such community building."
Cathy Sabolik Kamm's Corner
"Neighborhood Connections transforms neighborhood dreams into neighborhood success stories."
Frances Hunter North Collinwood
"Neighborhood Connections working to connect, build and support outstanding neighborhoods in the City of Cleveland."
Patrick Shepherd Shaker Square
"Neighborhood Connections serves as one of the few financial resources for Cleveland neighborhood block clubs and grassroots organizations."
Fred Irvon Glenville
"...an extraordinary opportunity to serve and watch ideas vitalize and enrich people in neighborhoods."
Barbara Szaibel Shaker Square
"Our grantees are Clevelands' precious jewels. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help them shine."
No photo available
Richgina Jeff Central
Archester Thomas Westown
"Neighborhood Connections can provide the funds to make my community a safe and attractive place to live."
