The Cleveland-based George Gund Foundation has announced $9.8 million in grants, bringing its total grantmaking for 2004 to more than $27 million.

Fourth-quarter awards approved by the foundation's board included a $5 million grant to the Cleveland Museum of Art to support the museum's $225 million renovation and expansion plan, and a three-year, $1 million grant to Cuyahoga County's Invest in Children Initiative, a five-year, $73 million public-private partnership to create an early childhood system that promotes child well-being from birth to the age of six, supports parents and caregivers, and builds community support for investment in young children.

The foundation also continued its commitment to Shorebank Enterprise Group Cleveland with a $300,000 grant to help create economic opportunities in eastside Cleveland neighborhoods. A three-year, $375,000 grant to the Brookings Institution will be used for research and policy activities focused on issues facing communities like Cleveland.

"This quarter's grants reflect the foundation's continued commitment to improving life in the urban center of our region by funding innovative efforts to address economic development, human services, education, quality of life, and environmental concerns," said the foundation's executive director, David Abbott. "The health of Cleveland and other urban centers is vital to the health of our entire region. We hope many of these grants help more people understand that."