Strengthening Central Ohio, One Community at a Time
The McCluskey Cares Foundation was established in 2009 by the family of Robert J. McCluskey Sr. to honor his lifelong commitment to civic service. Through targeted grant programs in youth education, community health, veterans reintegration, and arts enrichment, we have invested over $8.7 million in the people and neighborhoods of central Ohio. Our mission is simple: provide meaningful, accountable support to the organizations and individuals who are building a stronger, more equitable future for our region.
Five Pillars of Community Investment
Every dollar the McCluskey Cares Foundation distributes is guided by our founding charter's five areas of focus. Each program area maintains its own advisory committee, application track, and independent outcome measurement protocol to ensure that grant funding reaches the communities and causes where it can do the most good.
Youth Horizon Education Grants
Supporting evidence-based literacy, STEM enrichment, after-school tutoring, and college readiness programs in underserved school districts. Since 2009, our education grants have reached over 18,000 students across 42 partner schools in Franklin, Delaware, and Licking counties.
Award range: $10,000 – $75,000 per cycle
Learn more →Community Wellness Initiative
Funding mobile screening clinics, mental health counseling access, maternal health support, and chronic disease management outreach for underserved populations. Our health programming has facilitated over 12,400 patient screenings and connected 4,200 individuals with ongoing treatment.
Award range: $5,000 – $50,000 per year
Learn more →Veterans Bridge Program
Direct grants to veteran-serving organizations for employment transition, housing navigation, PTSD and TBI support services, and family reintegration counseling. Since 2012, the Bridge Program has assisted over 2,100 veterans and their families in achieving stable civilian transitions.
Award range: $2,500 – $25,000
Learn more →McCluskey Arts & Heritage Fund
Grants for community arts programming, public installations, youth theater and music education, heritage preservation, and cultural festivals. The Arts Fund has supported 187 projects reaching an estimated 94,000 audience members since its inaugural cycle in 2011, while providing direct stipends to over 340 local artists and arts educators.
Award range: $1,500 – $15,000 per project
Learn more →Emergency Family Relief Fund
Rapid-response grants for families facing acute crisis including housing displacement, catastrophic medical expenses, domestic violence relocation, and sudden income loss. Our expedited 10-day review process has disbursed emergency aid to over 860 Ohio households since 2010, with an 88% rate of housing stability recovery within 90 days of assistance.
Award range: Up to $2,500 per household
Learn more →Find the Right Grant for Your Organization
Not sure which McCluskey Cares Foundation grant program is the best fit for your project or organization? Our Grant Eligibility Finder walks you through five quick questions and matches you with the programs where your application is most likely to succeed. The tool is free, confidential, and takes under two minutes.
Launch Grant Finder →Voices from Our Community
“The Youth Horizon grant allowed us to expand our after-school STEM lab to three additional Title I schools in the Hilltop neighborhood. We went from serving 45 students per semester to over 180. The McCluskey team's hands-on support during the reporting phase was unlike anything we've experienced with other funders.”
“When I separated from the Army after 14 years, I had no civilian resume and no idea where to start. The Veterans Bridge Program connected me with a career coach, covered my welding certification at Columbus State, and helped me land a position at a union shop within five months. I owe this foundation more than I can say.”
“Our community health clinic was losing its only Spanish-speaking counselor to budget cuts. A Community Wellness Initiative grant covered the position for 18 months while we secured permanent funding. That counselor has since seen over 300 patients who would otherwise have had no access to mental health services in their language.”
Ready to Make an Impact?
Whether you represent a non-profit organization, a school district, a veteran-serving agency, or a family in crisis, the McCluskey Cares Foundation is here to help. Our team is available to discuss your project, guide you through the application process, and connect you with the right program.