Who We Are
The McCluskey Cares Foundation is a private memorial family foundation established in 2009 by the family of Robert J. McCluskey Sr., a Columbus civic leader, small business owner, and Army veteran whose five decades of community service touched nearly every corner of central Ohio. We operate as a public-benefit grantmaking organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with oversight from the Ohio Attorney General's Charitable Trust Section and full compliance with the National Council of Nonprofits governance standards.
Our Mission
To honor the legacy of Robert J. McCluskey Sr. by providing meaningful, accountable grant support to organizations and individuals advancing youth education, community health, veterans reintegration, and arts enrichment in the communities of central Ohio. We believe that targeted philanthropy, guided by rigorous outcome measurement and genuine community partnership, can serve as a durable engine for equity and opportunity.
Guiding Values
Accountability
Every dollar we steward belongs to the community. We maintain GuideStar Platinum transparency, file annual reports with the Ohio AG, and publish complete grant data in our public annual report. Our overhead ratio has not exceeded 8.4% in any fiscal year since inception.
Equity
We prioritize funding for communities and populations that have been historically underserved by existing philanthropic and public investment. Our grant review process includes explicit equity criteria, and our advisory committees reflect the demographic diversity of the communities we serve.
Partnership
We do not simply write checks. Our program staff work alongside grantees throughout the grant period, providing technical assistance, connecting organizations with peer networks, and facilitating collaborative opportunities that amplify the impact of each funded project.
Foundation Leadership
Margaret “Peggy” McCluskey-Harlan
MBA, The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business · B.A. Political Science, Denison University
Margaret McCluskey-Harlan is the youngest daughter of Robert J. McCluskey Sr. and Helen McCluskey. She has served as Executive Director since the Foundation's founding in 2009, overseeing the growth of the grant portfolio from $180,000 in its first year to over $1.4 million in annual disbursements. Prior to leading the Foundation, Margaret spent 12 years in institutional advancement at The Ohio State University and three years as a program officer at the Columbus Foundation. She holds an MBA from the Fisher College of Business and serves on the boards of the United Way of Central Ohio and the Ohio Grantmakers Forum. Margaret lives in Upper Arlington with her husband, David Harlan, and their two children.
Robert J. McCluskey Jr.
J.D., Capital University Law School · B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Cincinnati
Robert McCluskey Jr. is the son of the Foundation's namesake and has served as Board Chair since 2009. A retired civil engineer and attorney, Robert spent 28 years with the Ohio Department of Transportation before entering private practice specializing in municipal infrastructure law. He chaired the Westerville Planning Commission from 2004 to 2012 and currently serves as a volunteer mediator with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Robert's dual perspective as both a McCluskey family member and an experienced public servant provides the Board with a unique balance of personal mission and institutional rigor.
Board of Directors
The Foundation's Board of Directors consists of seven members who serve staggered three-year terms. Board members receive no compensation and are subject to the Foundation's conflict-of-interest policy, which requires annual disclosure and recusal from any vote involving a potential personal benefit.
Robert J. McCluskey Jr.
Board Chair
Retired Attorney & Civil Engineer
Margaret McCluskey-Harlan
Executive Director (Ex Officio)
MBA, Ohio State University
Dr. Patricia Owens-Reynolds
Treasurer
CPA; Retired Partner, Plante Moran LLP
Hon. James K. Whitfield
Secretary
Retired Franklin County Common Pleas Judge
Dr. Nadira Hassan-Williams
Director
Chair, Dept. of Public Health, OSU College of Medicine
Col. (Ret.) David M. Strickland
Director
U.S. Army (Ret.); Executive Director, Ohio Veterans Coalition
Elena Vasquez-Gutierrez
Director
Principal, Gahanna Lincoln High School; Columbus Education Association
Governance & Accreditation
The McCluskey Cares Foundation operates under a governance framework designed to ensure the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility, ethical conduct, and public accountability. Our policies and practices comply with the National Council of Nonprofits' recommended governance standards and are regularly reviewed by independent counsel.
Tax-Exempt Status
The Foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3). Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 31-4829105. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Our IRS determination letter, Form 990 filings, and audited financial statements are available upon request.
Ohio Regulatory Compliance
The Foundation is registered with the Ohio Attorney General's Charitable Trust Section under registration number CT-2009-04781. We file an annual charitable trust report and submit to the AG's office a copy of our independently audited financial statements. Our solicitation license is current and in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State.
GuideStar Platinum Transparency
The McCluskey Cares Foundation has earned GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition for nonprofit openness. This designation requires publication of our mission, leadership, programs, financial health, and measurable impact data on the GuideStar platform.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
We meet all 20 standards for charitable accountability established by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, including governance, effectiveness reporting, finance, and fundraising practices. Our BBB accreditation has been maintained continuously since 2012.
Program Advisory Committees
Each of the Foundation's five grant programs is guided by a dedicated advisory committee composed of subject-matter experts, community leaders, former grantees, and representatives of the populations served. Advisory committees meet quarterly to review applications, assess program performance, and recommend policy adjustments to the Board. Committee members serve two-year terms and are appointed by the Executive Director with Board confirmation. All advisory committee members sign the Foundation's conflict-of-interest disclosure and serve on a volunteer basis.