LEADER LUNCH BREAK ARCHIVE

Alison described Cleveland SCORES’ mission to combine soccer, poetry, and service learning to promote healthy habits, literacy, civic engagement, and social-emotional learning for K–8 students. She highlighted the program’s school-based, free structure as central to removing access barriers, and underscored why Social Emotional Learning-infused sports programs matter for students’ long-term success.

Sara described Minds Matter as a college success organization tackling the socioeconomic barriers that prevent low-income students from reaching their potential. The program recruits 10th graders and supports them through their first college year via mentorship, writing and critical thinking development, ACT prep, paid summer immersion programs, and debt-conscious college advising. It serves 100+ predominantly low-income, first-generation students of color, with 100% college admission and 92%+ persistence rates.

Sara also spoke as Board Chair of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, highlighting a shift to student-outcomes-focused governance built around three 2030 goals: third-grade literacy, Algebra I proficiency, and college- and career-readiness. The board’s accountability framework protects non-negotiables—safety, opportunity (arts, athletics, career programs), and community engagement—and the Building Brighter Futures facilities plan aims to upgrade buildings and expand college-credit and career-pathway access.

Lee framed higher education as facing a “perfect storm” — demographic decline, rising costs, shifting credential preferences, rapid technology change, and declining public trust. Despite that, he emphasized his optimism. He described Baldwin Wallace’s institutional adaptation, including a strategic focus on producing a regional talent pipeline through a career accelerator model, citing collaborations with Sherwin-Williams, Team NEO, and JobsOhio.

Matt provided an overview of Citizens’ local history and market position, tracing the bank’s roots to Charter One and highlighting recent acquisitions that have strengthened its retail and middle-market commercial operations in Ohio. Brittany outlined the bank’s giving priorities—workforce development and financial empowerment—pointing to active partnerships with local organizations as evidence of those commitments in action. Matt built on this by addressing the region’s talent shortage, describing Citizens’ role in convening employers and supporting training initiatives that connect residents with jobs.

The conversation also touched on how Citizens engages its own employees, including expanded paid volunteer time and company sabbaticals. Matt and Brittany closed by reflecting on their eleven-year partnership with CLC’s Accelerate event, describing it as a “shark-tank” style forum that consistently draws high-quality ideas and surfaces genuine local passion.

Marty described the Foundation’s focus on health and well‑being on Cleveland’s west side and in Lorain County. He outlined their three business areas: hospital partnerships, philanthropic services, and basic‑needs grantmaking, and explained the strategic shift toward predominantly general operating grants to give grantees flexibility.

Marty discussed the Keep the Good Going public‑education campaign created to support grantees through federal and state funding gaps. He shared success stories and tangible outcomes from the Foundation’s work, emphasizing its commitment to active, in-person engagement with grantees. He touched on the emerging Greater Cleveland Funders Collaborative, touched on the Foundation’s operational strengths, and shared some of the trends, themes, and challenges he foresees for nonprofits in the funding landscape.

Caitlin provided an overview of the Cleveland Kurentovanje’s history and mission, emphasizing its volunteer-driven nature and the significance of the Kurent figure in symbolizing seasonal change. The annual festival will take place this year on February 14, with a variety of events planned, including a 5K run, a parade, and cultural demonstrations aimed at promoting Slovenian traditions and fostering community spirit.