The Cleveland Foundation and its partners have announced grants totaling $1.36 million from the Cleveland Black Futures Fund, which provides organizational infrastructure and capacity-building support to local organizations that are both Black-led and Black-serving. 

The overarching goal of the Cleveland Black Futures Fund is to strengthen the ecosystem of Black leaders and Black-serving organizations in the region by providing intentional resources to help develop and expand organizational infrastructure and capacity. A total of 36 organizations were awarded grants, including Art of Me Productions, which will receive $25,000; the Cleveland Observer, which was awarded $75,000; CollectivExpress, which was awarded $50,000; and Black Diamonds Cheer and Dance Academy, which will receive $25,000. 

“Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, there was a surge of funding across the country, which has since diminished,” said Cleveland Foundation program manager for racial equity & racial justice initiatives Joe Black. “However, we are committed to raising additional funds to continue supporting Black-led organizations, demonstrating our desire to focus not just on the moment, but to think about the long-term impacts of change.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Asphotowed)