CLEVELAND — United Way of Greater Cleveland announced it reached a philanthropic milestone with more than 20 donors matching the transformational $10 million grant the organization received in 2022 from the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, establishing the organization’s Cleveland Community Fund endowment. The match secured an additional $10 million in combined cash and planned donations to ensure United Way continues its work throughout Greater Cleveland well into the future for generations to come.
"The incredible generosity and steadfast support of our vital work by Mort Mandel and the Mandel Foundation has made a significant difference for hundreds of thousands of people in our community. The Foundation's $10 million matching gift to our endowment, the Cleveland Community Fund, serves as the capstone of our impactful, long-standing partnership," said Sharon Sobol Jordan, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland. "We are deeply grateful to each of the people, families, and organizations who together exceeded the $10 million Mandel match challenge with leadership gifts of their own. I am inspired by their extraordinary commitment to our United Way and our shared vision of a prosperous region that benefits us all."
The $10 million matching grant from the Mandel Supporting Foundation, the single-largest in United Way's history, created the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Fund for Urban Engagement in August 2022 within United Way's Cleveland Community Fund. It served as a catalyst to secure additional philanthropic contributions to invest in United Way's urban engagement strategies. These initiatives provide immediate, coordinated assistance to help people needing health, housing, and economic mobility services throughout Cuyahoga County neighborhoods and communities. This gift represents the Foundation's long-standing commitment to just, inclusive, and democratic societies, where the Mandel Foundation remains at the forefront.
"We are pleased to know that the United Way's board members and generous supporters not only met but exceeded the fundraising challenge initiated by this grant," said Jehuda Reinharz, President and CEO of the Mandel Foundation. "We look forward to the transformational work that the United Way will accomplish through the Mandel Fund, continuing the Mandel brothers' legacy of supporting innovative solutions that drive neighborhood engagement and community development."
The following donors contributed to the Mandel match, including several anonymous donors:
Diamond-level Leadership gift donors ($2 million)
Dee and Jimmy Haslam and the Haslam 3 Foundation
"Our family has a long history of working with United Way, and we have seen first-hand the incredible work that the Greater Cleveland Chapter does to support our region and thousands of community members," said Dee and Jimmy Haslam. "We are proud to support the Cleveland Community Fund, and we hope that with the Mandel Foundation grant and the match from additional donors, United Way will continue to create impactful change for those in need in Northeast Ohio for many years to come."
Platinum-level gift donors (up to $1.5 million)
Joanie and Tom Adler
The Byrnes Family/Oswald Commitment to Community Fund
Sally and Sandy Cutler
Karen and Paul Dolan
Jane and Jon Outcalt
Amy and Randy Paine
Kim Meisel Pesses and Paul Pesses
The Meisel and Pesses Family Foundation
Gold-level gift donors (up to $350,000)
Denise and Ed Bell
Becky and David Heller
Stewart A. Kohl
Beth Mooney
Susan and James Ratner
Enid and Dr. David Rosenberg
Mark D. Ross
Vanessa L. Whiting
The August Napoli Fund for Anti-Poverty Innovation
Silver-level gift donors (up to $100,000)
Amy and Ira Kaplan
Bronze-level gift donors (up to $50,000)
Claudia and Dave Fulton
Nancy and Keith Libman
Alex Machaskee
Lorna Wisham
"This milestone match of the Mandel Supporting Foundation's historic grant by so many of our board members and donors reinforces further their confidence in our United Way's direction, strategy, and future," said Vanessa Whiting, board chair at United Way of Greater Cleveland. "We are humbled and thankful to each Mandel Match donor and the Mandel Foundation for their steadfast leadership and commitment to our United Way's work as long-standing partners, generous champions, and investors in our Cleveland Community Fund endowment, which now exceeds $20 million."
"This success was a true team effort," Jordan added. "In addition to the Mandel Foundation and our generous donors, I want to acknowledge the leadership and engagement of our board and staff team, who worked together to secure the matching funds that made this historic achievement possible. I also want to express our heartfelt thanks to Augie Napoli, former President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, who created this opportunity during his tenure by securing the Mandel Supporting Foundation gift and supporting the completion of the match."
United Way continues to fundraise for the future and to support its endowment, including through its Legacy Circle program, which provides a wide variety of options for interested donors to make a planned gift commitment in their estate plan or will. United Way's Senior Director of Principal and Leadership Giving – Development, Jane Furth, leads this program. For those interested in learning more, please visit Legacy Circle - United Way of Greater Cleveland (unitedwaycleveland.org) or email jfurth@unitedwaycleveland.org.
United Way, Morton Mandel, and the Mandel Foundation's Long-standing History
Morton L. Mandel was president and chairman of United Way's board from 1977 to 1981. United Way of Greater Cleveland's building at 1331 Euclid Avenue was purchased in 1994 thanks to the generosity of the Mandel family. Employees relocated to the office in April 1995. In July 2018, the Mandel Foundation provided funding to expand United Way's 211 Help Center and renovate United Way of Greater Cleveland's headquarters. The $10 million grant from the Mandel Supporting Foundation marks the single-largest gift to United Way of Greater Cleveland's endowment, the Cleveland Community Fund.
About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundations
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel established their first Foundation in 1953 in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Their philanthropic legacy is continued through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. The work of the Foundations is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world. The Foundations have identified five areas of engagement that receive support, which include: leadership development, management of nonprofits, humanities, Jewish life, and urban engagement. For more information, please visit mandelfoundation.org.
About United Way of Greater Cleveland
United Way of Greater Cleveland is a local, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting the causes and effects of poverty across the Greater Cleveland area for more than 100 years. Together with its cross-sector partners, United Way of Greater Cleveland remains steadfast in its commitment to research-driven solutions and collective action. Together with partners and support from the Greater Cleveland community, United Way strives towards a future where economic equity and mobility are possible for all. For more information about United Way, visit unitedwaycleveland.org.
