Grants

Transformational Initiatives

Transformational   Initiatives

Community Grants

Transformational Initiatives

The Saint Luke’s Foundation vision is to be a philanthropic innovator and catalyst, supporting programs that significantly advance the Foundation’s mission of reinvesting its resources to provide leadership and support for the improvement and transformation of the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities of Greater Cleveland. To that end, the Foundation supports several “transformational initiatives” targeting major problems or opportunities in Cleveland neighborhoods that require an individualized approach to funding decisions.

 

The Transformational Initiatives comprise approximately 55% of the Foundation’s grantmaking budget, typically funded for periods of three years to a decade or more with amounts in excess of $150,000.  These large-scale initiatives typically:

  • Identify and catalyze action on major problem or opportunity areas
  • Target fundamental, long-term positive outcomes
  • Use rigorous evaluation framework and periodic reporting appropriate to initiative and funding levels
  • Work with and through community partners with deep knowledge and expertise

Saint Luke’s Foundation’s current Transformational Initiatives are:

Approval Process
The Foundation is open to discussing opportunities for potential new Transformational Initiatives with anyone who is interested in collaborating to address our community’s most pressing problems.  Our current and past initiatives have been inspired by outcome data from Community Grants, the Foundation’s staff, board, grantees, other funders, community partners and committee/taskforce members.   All potential Transformational Initiatives begin with a conversation with Foundation staff to determine if there is a fit with the Foundation’s core areas of focus.  However, due to the very unique nature of grants in this category, Saint Luke’s Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for Transformational Initiatives.   To initiate a conversation about a potential Transformational Initiative, contact Sandy Chappelle, the senior program officer for Transformational Initiatives, to schedule a Get Acquainted meeting.

 

Following the necessary due diligence, staff and board review, the grantee is asked to develop a proposal that includes both program and evaluation components, as well as proposed project partners. The Board of Trustees makes final approvals of all Transformational Initiatives.