Do Good Cleveland: 70 Organizations Doing Good For Cleveland
by Arbela Capas, Becky Boban | Oct. 28, 2020 | 11:00 AM
If you’re looking to offer a helping hand, start with one (or more) of these Northeast Ohio nonprofits and organizations.
100 Women Strong Ohio
Proving there’s strength in numbers, this nonprofit of more than 230 diverse women has a goal to support other Northeast Ohio women in need by hosting giving events three times a year and providing grants to area nonprofits. 100womenstrongohio.org
Adoption Network Cleveland
Through events such as an annual holiday party and summer cookout, this nonprofit supports, empowers and embraces people impacted by adoption by reconnecting families, helping people adopt and strengthening relationships. adoptionnetwork.org
American Cancer Society
The nonprofit’s signature fundraising events, Relay for Life, are held in a number of Northeast Ohio communities and raise funds for cancer research. Survivors and caregivers are also recognized at the relay walks. cancer.org
American Heart Association
Founded nearly 100 years ago to fund research for combating heart disease, this organization’s Go Red for Women Experience luncheon in Cleveland, where attendees all wear red, raised $600,000 in February. heart.org
American Lung Association
The group’s advocacy for respiratory health has taken on renewed meaning during the pandemic since COVID-19 affects the lungs. The Cleveland chapter’s Fight for Air Climb, where participants climbed stairs at Key Tower, raised more than $120,000 this year.
lung.org
Arthritis Foundation
With fundraising events such as the Jingle Bell Run, this nonprofit also serves as an information hub for patients in need of coverage and support for caregivers and more. arthritis.org
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
This nonprofit impacts the lives of 10,000 senior adults with scientists, care consultants and social workers dedicated to improving aging services across nine locations. benrose.org
Birthing Beautiful Communities
Tackling one of the city’s biggest issues, this neighborhood-based organization has offered free support and parental education to more than 500 Black mothers and babies, championing a 99.8% infant survival rate. birthingbeautiful.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland
Focusing on providing after-school, summer and weekend programs for at-risk kids, this national organization has more than 10 locations in the Cleveland area. clevekids.org
Business Volunteers Unlimited
This nonprofit acts like a matchmaker, helping businesses and professionals looking to make a difference in Northeast Ohio by pairing them with local nonprofits and volunteer opportunities. bvuvolunteers.org
Canalway Partners
Serving as the main fundraiser for the Towpath Trail Greenway in Cleveland, this nonprofit also helps maintain the area. canalwaypartners.com
The City Mission
Founded by Mel Trotter more than 100 years ago, it opened the first homeless shelter for women in Cleveland in 1981 and offers shelter and workforce training to those in need. thecitymission.org
Cleveland Animal Protective League
Find a new furry friend or support this nonprofit through its virtual Fur Ball gala this month, which raises funds to continue helping animals. clevelandapl.org
Cleveland Family Meal
After the pandemic left many service industry workers jobless, Summer House chefs Vinnie Cimino and Ryan Boone founded this nonprofit to provide food to workers and their families. clefamilymeal.com
Cleveland Foundation
The first community foundation in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world, it gives out more than $100 million in grants every year to support efforts in education, youth development and the arts. clevelandfoundation.org
Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center
This organization provides services to the deaf and speech-impaired community, offers American Sign Language classes and hosts an annual Big Wheel Relay fundraiser. chsc.org
Cleveland Metroparks
With more than 23,700 acres of protected reservations, it’s the oldest park district in Ohio and provides recreation, education and conservation efforts across various parks, wetlands and forests. clevelandmetroparks.com
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
With initiatives such as Live Cleveland, an online guide to the city’s neighborhoods, and various placemaking projects, the organization works to revitalize the city’s neighborhoods. clevelandnp.org
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Serving more than 64,000 people across Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties, it offers health and human services to survivors of rape and sexual abuse. clevelandrapecrisis.org
Cleveland Zoological Society
Along with raising funds for research, conservation and education, it also hosts the wild Twilight at the Zoo event at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. clevelandzoosociety.org
College Now Greater Cleveland
This 54-year-old organization provides higher education resources to middle school and high school students as well as adult learners who need advising and financial aid. collegenowgc.org
Community Foundation Lorain County
Established in 1980, this community foundation serves the needs of Lorain County through different endowments for scholarships, arts, youth services and more. peoplewhocare.org
Community West Foundation
From two golf outings to its Straight from the Heart Red Tie Gala, this foundation provides grants to charities throughout western Cuyahoga County and Lorain County. communitywestfoundation.org
Cornerstone of Hope
In honor of the heartbreaking death of 3-year-old Bobby Tripodi, this Cleveland-based nonprofit provides counseling for individuals and families who have lost loved ones. cornerstoneofhope.org
Cuyahoga Community College Foundation
The school’s nonprofit arm provides scholarships and the annual Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, with past keynote speakers such as Octavia Spencer. tri-c.edu
Digital C
Aiming to bridge the digital divide, this nonprofit offers affordable broadband internet access for a handful of Cleveland neighborhoods, with more to come. digitalc.org
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
In addition to grants that have gone to supporting the basic needs of individuals, the foundation supports social justice and environmental causes. dominionenergy.com
Downtown Cleveland Alliance
The nonprofit brings us fun events such as Winterfest, but it also works with community leaders to help maintain downtown as a vibrant place. downtowncleveland.com
Drink Local Drink Tap
Through beach cleanups and fundraising events such as a 4-mile run/walk, the organization focuses on providing communities in need with access to clean drinking water. drinklocaldrinktap.org
Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute
Cooked up to provide formerly incarcerated adults with professional training in the culinary arts and service industry, this organization is part nonprofit, part gourmet French-inspired restaurant. edwinsrestaurant.org
Engage Cleveland
This community engagement organization connects young professionals to each other, nonprofit, business and civic leaders, job opportunities and more through fun events such as its annual CLE YP Week. engagecleveland.org
Empowering Youth, Exploring Justice
The kids are all right. Through a discussion series and initiatives focused on social justice, this nonprofit aims to empower at-risk teens, plus the organization’s youth council gives them a chance to brainstorm solutions. eyej.org
Esperanza Inc.
This organization provides mentoring, leadership building, family support and other resources for Hispanic students and families in Northeast Ohio. esperanzainc.org
First Year Cleveland
In response to the high infant mortality rate in Cuyahoga County, First Year focuses on mobilizing communities and providing training to reduce infant deaths and racial disparities. firstyearcleveland.org
Freshly Rooted
The organization helps low-income communities live a healthier lifestyle by providing access to food, resources such as culinary training and its women’s empowerment SEEDS Program. freshlyrooted.com
The Gathering Place
Located in Beachwood and Westlake, the Gathering Place has provided free services to more than 47,000 coping with cancer and recovery. touchedbycancer.org
Girls with Sole
Running with a purpose, Girls with Sole offers free fitness and wellness programs, as well as providing free shoes and gear for 5Ks it hosts, all with the goal of empowering young girls who are at-risk or have experienced some kind of abuse. girlswithsole.org
Global Cleveland
With events such as its Welcoming Week, this organization’s goal is to make Cleveland a more welcoming place for immigrants. globalcleveland.org
Greater Cleveland Food Bank
While its popular Market at the Food Bank fundraiser was postponed this year, this organization provided nearly 20.7 million pounds of food across six counties, offering nutritious food to anyone in need. greaterclevelandfoodbank.org
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity
A house makes a home, and this organization builds and rehabilitates affordable homes for families and individuals alike. Its ReStore offers discounted home goods and furniture. clevelandhabitat.org
HandsOnSports Foundation
Kick it with this nonprofit founded by retired professional soccer player Otto Orf. It provides at-risk youth with soccer instruction and programming in an effort to keep them active and teach work ethic. handsonsportsfoundation.org
Hearts of Patriots
Co-founded by the wife of a marine who served in Iraq, Hearts of Patriots provides support and education to caregivers of veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and PTSD. vetspouse.org
Hospice of the Western Reserve
Hospice of the Western Reserve’s palliative care program has been named one of the most innovative by the American Hospital Association in 2019 because of its use of technology and integrated systems of care. hospicewr.org
Hunger Network
Its virtual Night to Fight Hunger this month, featuring cooking demonstrations, will help fund its mission to provide emergency food supplies and hot meals to those in need. hungernetwork.org
Islamic Center of Cleveland
Find guidance, prayer and observances in correlation with Islamic teachings here, as well as education and cultural understanding in the non-Muslim community. iccleveland.org
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland
With volunteer opportunities from Cleveland to Israel, this organization provides aid and social justice awareness worldwide. jewishcleveland.org
The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
Overseeing the annual Pride In The CLE celebration, this city hub has provided critical support, health services and advocacy since 1975 for members of Northeast Ohio’s LGBTQ community. lgbtcleveland.org
Literacy in the H.O.O.D.
Passing out more than 60,000 free books to kids in the last 18 months, parents can also find resources about the importance of reading, with the goal of combating Cleveland’s illiteracy issues. literacyinthehood.com
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
In response to the Hough riots in 1966, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry formed to address racial and social disparities within communities, offering shelter and vocational training while advocating for fair legislation. lutheranmetro.org
Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana
Making us weep with every cute wish come true, this regional chapter granted nearly 800 wishes in 2019, from meeting the pope to going to Paris Fashion Week. oki.wish.org
Medwish International
Sustainability is top of mind for this nonprofit, which repurposes medical supplies from more than 120 health care institutions in Ohio and elsewhere, which are then provided to 114 countries, including the U.S. medwish.org
The Music Settlement
Almeda Adams founded the Music Settlement in 1912 to unite immigrants in Cleveland through music. Today, the organization offers an abundance of music therapy and early childhood education. themusicsettlement.org
Neighbor Up
With the goal of combating disconnect within the community, Neighbor Up’s more than 2,000 members have helped organize grants totaling more than $8.6 million for projects around Cleveland. neighborupcle.org
Prayers from Maria
Known for its two large sunflower fields meant to raise awareness, this nonprofit has raised more than $7.8 million since 2010 to research childhood brain cancer. prayersfrommaria.org
Providence House
Offering an arm of support for parents and guardians in their time of need since 1981, this nonprofit’s mission is to protect children from abuse and neglect and help families in crisis. provhouse.org
R.A.K.E. — Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere
Based on the idea of paying it forward, comedian and social media personality Ricky Smith uses creative tactics such as DJing at senior citizen homes, handing out bagged lunches and more to create a positive impact in his community. rakenow.org
Recess Cleveland
Give the kids a break. By transforming empty lots into large community events with games and activities, this nonprofit provides a space for kids to learn how to cooperate with each other and have fun. recesscleveland.com
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
Older doggies need love too. Rescued from shelters, senior dogs are placed in foster homes where they receive medical care and training. sanctuaryforseniordogs.org
Seeds of Literacy
While waiting for the return of this organization’s fun fundraisers such as slumber parties in book stores, it’s offering virtual adult literacy classes taught by volunteer tutors, who help around 1,000 students annually. seedsofliteracy.org
Shoes and Clothes for Kids
The organization partners with the Cleveland Browns and others while outfitting more than 10,000 Greater Cleveland kids a year with uniforms, clothing and supplies, with a goal of improving school attendance. sc4k.org
unBail
Breaking down the mysteries of the court system, unBail will guide defendants through legal lingo by using a mobile app. unbail.org
The United Way of Greater Cleveland
Founded in 1913, it’s the nation’s first community chest. This do-it-all organization continues to grow programs aimed at alleviating symptoms of poverty such as hunger, shelter and violence, and offers many ways to donate and volunteer. unitedwaycleveland.org
The United Way of Lake County
Offering a toolkit to help start giving campaigns at local workplaces, this organization improves the lives of Lake County residents by donating resources such as food and mental health services to those in need. uwlc.org
The Urban League of Greater Cleveland
With a 100-year history of tackling social and economic issues, such as housing discrimination and employment opportunities, it also offers resources for small business owners and access to loans. ulcleveland.org
VeloSano
Get up to speed with this cancer-fighting nonprofit and its annual Bike to Cure fundraising bike ride each summer. velosano.org
West Side Catholic Center
While the nonprofit combats poverty by offering food, shelter and mental health help, its Ohio City Pizzeria serves up delicious food for a good cause: on-the-job training and funding to help the center fulfill its mission. wsccenter.org
The Welsh Home
Started by the Women’s Welsh Club of America, it offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation and long-term care and assisted living. It also provides college scholarships for high school students. welshhome.com
Western Reserve Land Conservancy
A nonprofit conservation organization that stretches from Sandusky to the Pennsylvania border, this collaboration has preserved more than 62,000 acres of land of educational and historical value, and helped create 170 parks and publicly-owned preserves. wrlandconservancy.org
Youth Challenge
Teen volunteers work with more than 200 kids with physical disabilities, from visual impairments to cerebral palsy, as part of free programs to promote friendship and recreation for all. youthchallengesports.com
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
This organization provides nearly 4,500 youth each year with opportunities to grow in a working environment by identifying skill sets and assisting with internships. youthopportunities.org
Click here to meet more do-gooders, find out how you can help your community and read the rest of our "Do Good" package.
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