About Us FOUNDATION HISTORY The foundation began in December 1994 when Deaconess Health Systems, the parent of Deaconess Hospital of Cleveland and several other hospital-related concerns, sold the hospital to a for-profit company. During the years 1995 and 1996, the Board of Trustees of Deaconess Health Systems completed a thorough strategic planning process which produced a new name, new focus, new mission statement, and established a trust. In 1997, the name of Deaconess Health Systems was changed to Deaconess Community Foundation, the new mission statement was adopted, IRS approval as a public charity was received, and DCF began to chart a new course as a grantmaker in the greater Cleveland area. In addition to becoming a grantmaking organization, DCF still has the responsibility to wind down the affairs of its prior operations as a health care provider, and continues to liquidate assets that are transferred to the trust. DCF also owns and operates three HUD housing facilities for the low-income elderly. It is estimated that the trust will eventually have total assets of approximately $40,000,000, of which 5% per year will be distributed for grantmaking and administrative costs of the foundation. DCF has a Charitable Giving Committee that is responsible for receiving and reviewing grant requests, making site visits, giving recommendations to the Board for final approval, and conducting follow-up evaluation site visits. The contact is Deborah Vesy, Executive Director, at dvesy@deacomfdn.org. GRANT PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Deaconess Community Foundation, through its Charitable Giving Committee, will entertain requests for funding from non-profit organizations serving people in the Greater Cleveland area. Within the broad objectives and available resources of Deaconess Community Foundation, grants will be considered for charitable, health, welfare, community, and social services. Funds will be directed toward those projects and geographic areas where it is believed Deaconess Community Foundation can produce the best results and best meet its mission statement. Only qualified non-profit organizations which are classified by the Internal Revenue Code as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible for funding consideration. Grant funds may not be used to carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation, participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, or to conduct, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive (within the meaning of Section 4945(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.)