2026 HLF Grantmaking Updates!

In 2025, Healthy Lakewood Foundation (HLF) created a revised overall grantmaking approach and strategy for implementation beginning with 2026 grantmaking.

HLF has established three distinct grant programs to support a spectrum of approaches to address the needs of Lakewood residents and improve overall health outcomes and opportunities in Lakewood: Community Partnership Grants, Responsive Funding, and Strategic Investments.

Community Partnership Grants provide sustained, flexible support to core Lakewood organizations serving priority populations through multi-year general operating grants.

Responsive Funding enables response to emerging community needs, time-sensitive opportunities, and crises. Requests may include discretionary or small grants, sponsorship requests, and emergency community funding.

Strategic Investments support initiatives requiring deeper partnership and strategic alignment, including capacity building, systems change, and learning initiatives. This Track is invitation only.

More information about each funding track can be found on our website, which will continue to be updated in the coming weeks with grant guidelines, eligibility, timelines, and more for each grant program. If you have questions about funding opportunities, please reach out to Sharon Schuldt, Foundation and Grants Manager, at sharon@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.

Community Partnership Grants Application

Now Open!

HLF's first grantmaking cycle of the year is now open! Our Community Partnership Grants provide flexible, multi-year funding to organizations that directly impact the health and well-being of Lakewood residents – especially those who face the greatest barriers to health.

We are interested in partnering with organizations of all sizes – from grassroots groups to established nonprofits – as long as your work directly affects Lakewood residents. Community Partnership Grants support work that addresses: basic needs and stability, mental health services, education, and community connection.

The application is open until March 11, 2026 with funding decisions announced in May 2026.

For a more complete description of priority work and populations Community Partnership Grants support, as well as additional eligibility guidelines and timeline information, please visit our website. For questions about this grant cycle or if you have never received HLF funding before, please reach out to Sharon Schuldt, Foundation and Grants Manager, at sharon@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.

HLF Grantee Spotlight:

Lakewood Black Caucus

The Lakewood Black Caucus (LBC) is a grassroots group offering support for Lakewood Black residents and is dedicated to advancing anti-racism and supporting the mental health of the Black community. They do this with monthly meetings, community celebrations, and a mutual aid closet. Additionally, LBC offers an allyship program for the larger community to educate on anti-racism and build relationships. 

Lakewood Black Caucus and the Undoing Oppressions Task Force will celebrate Black History Month with an afternoon of performance and conversation at West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River on Saturday February 21 from noon to 5p.

The event includes a performance by rap artist, poet, Hip-Hop Teacher and Co-Host of the Kraylist radio show with Bone Thugs N Harmony’s own Krayzie Bone and visualizer, who goes by the name of Nova the Rebel. With lyrical storytelling and soulful production, Nova highlights the brilliance of Black Inventors who shaped history and continue to inspire future generations. Following Nova’s Hip-Hop story, the Duffy Liturgical Dance Ensemble offers a performance influenced spiritual, blues, gospel and jazz. The DuffyLit mission is to research, preserve and perform the American Negro Spiritual and to educate the community about this art form through performance and classes for all ages. Lunch and dessert are provided. The event is free and open to the public, with advance registration requested.

About the Healthy Lakewood Foundation: The Healthy Lakewood Foundation (HLF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity. HLF’s grantmaking addresses the social determinants of health, the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age in Lakewood, Ohio. HLF’s mission is to advance programs, policies, and practices that inspire a Lakewood community in which health and wellness are reflected in all aspects of life. To contact HLF, please visit our website or email info@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.