In 2023, the American Endowment Foundation established the Philanthropic Council.
The Council is funded from the AEF operating reserve to grant over $1 million over the next five years to charities the education, health and well-being of children and young people in Northeast Ohio.
The Council awards two $100,000 grants every year.
“We are thrilled to award these grants and to collaborate with local organizations dedicated to initiatives that will significantly impact our community. Additionally, the establishment of AEF’s Philanthropic Council further underscores our commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships and driving positive change in our community.”
Paula Hogan · AEF Chief People & Culture Officer
Let’s keep expanding philanthropy year after year.
Past recipients include:
2024 Recipient: Providence House
Providence House, established in 1981, provides emergency shelter and crisis intervention for children in Greater Cleveland. The grant supports their new East Side location, set to open in fall 2024, to serve 250 more children and 400 more families annually.
2024 Recipient: Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation
Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation used the grant to launch an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pilot program at their Fairlawn office, enhancing ASD evaluation and care coordination.
Learn more about the impact we’ve made.
Thanks to the efforts of the Philanthropic Council, AEF was nominated for the Think Advisor Luminaries Class of 2024 in the Charitable Giving/Philanthropy Firm Award category, recognizing Corporate Social Responsibility.
This nomination gave us the opportunity to share our story with Think Advisor. Hear about our efforts, our goals, and how people in the financial industry can help their communities through charitable giving.
How does the Philanthropic Council make their choice? Lots of care, understanding, and conversations.
The Council’s mission is static, but each year, a new focus is selected. The focus in 2024 was to improve the health and well-being of children in Cuyahoga and Summit Counties, typically where there are underserved populations.
This year, the Council is focused on mental and behavioral health initiatives for children in the surrounding counties where most AEF team members reside.
At AEF, philanthropy is personal.
And every team member is encouraged to be a part of expanding philanthropy through their AEF role, participation as a Philanthropic Council Working Committee member or through employer-sponsored volunteer time.
In fact, charities that were finalists in receiving our grant but were not chosen, are listed as volunteer opportunities for AEF team members to assist that year.
AEF donor-advised funds make a personal impact for thousands of unique charities.
All 50 states
$5 million
34,000
Learn more about DAF granting guidelines.
How can your charity stay connected with DAF donors?
- Keep contact information current. (This includes GuideStar)
- Mention DAFs at donor events or in your brochures. (Let people know you accept donations granted via DAFs)
- Share your ACH information. (We can add you to our system)