The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 and provides grants in the areas of education, human services, economic and community development, the environment and the arts. The Foundation has made grants totaling more than $538 million since its inception.
The George Gund Foundation was created in 1952 by George Gund as a private, nonprofit institution. Grantmaking until George Gund's death in 1966 primarily reflected his personal commitment to institutions that had been important in his life.
The Foundation's assets grew considerably following Gund's death in 1966, and the Foundation hired its first staff in 1969. The Foundation began to reflect new areas of commitment.
Today the George Gund Foundation has been carried forward by the Gund family. Gund's son, Geoffrey, is currently president of the board which now includes both second and third generation family members.
The George Gund Foundation's interests include: Arts, Economic Development and Community Revitalization, Education, Environment, and Human Services. The Foundation's focus is centered in Greater Cleveland, though a portion of the Foundation's grantmaking supports state and national policy making that bolsters its work locally. The Foundation only makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations and to qualified government units and agencies.