The Foundation Center is a national clearing house for information about who gives and who receives grant money, across the U.S.A.
Friday, the Cleveland Chapter briefed clients and reporters about changes in the nature of dollars given in Ohio by Family and Corporate Foundations, from the funding of educational pursuits to the arts, and agriculture to entrepreneurship.
The Foundation Center revealed that partly due to joint ventures such as the regional "Fund For Our Economic Future", dollars are being doled out differently than in years past.
Randy McShepherd represents the corporate giving arm of RPM International, Incorporated.
"We look for projects where we see impact. We look to get traction."
The newest figures available are for 2005, but indicate a shift by many donors toward grants providing regional economic development opportunities.
But Bob Jaquay of the Gund Foundation stressed that old line organizations will not be forgotten, in the rush to find growth.
"Our commitment for years to come is in trying to respond to Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, and we will continue to be as responsible as we can be. Those neighborhoods around Downtown and University Circle are importnat places to us."
And all panelists stressed that granting money to educational ventures continues to be a focus, in raising the quality of the workforce across Northeast Ohio.
The foundation also released lists of the largest donors and recipients in Ohio.
To see those lists, click below.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
