At Ferro, philanthropy is a core component of our culture. We have a rich history of giving back to the communities in which we live and work, particularly in Cleveland where the company was founded in 1919. In addition to our corporate activities, we encourage our employees around the world to contribute to their communities in any way they can.

The Ferro Foundation has developed a Mission Statement and Strategic Framework to guide our philanthropic activities, and we believe they will assist us in building productive relationships with potential benefactors.

We welcome funding requests that align with our Mission Statement and Strategic Framework below, and that ultimately help our community and our citizens Win from Within.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Ferro Foundation is to financially support programs administered by organizations or institutions with proven records of successfully serving the human and civic development needs of Greater Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

Our philanthropic focus is on education and economic development, health and welfare, civic, and cultural arts initiatives.  The core goals of the programs and projects that we fund are to strengthen the Greater Cleveland community and improve life for its citizens and future generations.

Strategic Framework

Geographic concentration – The Ferro Foundation focuses funding support on the Greater Cleveland community because of its historical relevance and current importance to our company.  Ferro was founded in 1919 in Cleveland, and our corporate headquarters has been located in Cleveland since that time.  We maintain several operations in the city and surrounding areas, and a significant number of Ferro employees live in the area.* 

Benefactors – Any 501(c)(3) U.S.-tax-exempt organization that has a proven record of successful service to the human and civic development needs of the Greater Cleveland community may request funding from the Ferro Foundation.  Our Contribution Committee weights funding toward initiatives that its members believe serve the most pressing needs of the community and that the Committee believes could realize the greatest benefit from a combination of Ferro’s gift and associated employee volunteerism or pro bono intellectual services.  Funding requests that incorporate an opportunity for Ferro employee volunteerism are especially welcome.

Corporate Giving

We are very proud of the partnerships we have forged with Greater Cleveland organizations.  Here are profiles of just a few.

Gift Review Process – Gift requests are reviewed by the Ferro Foundation Contribution Committee at least once annually.

The Ferro Foundation requests that contribution requests include the following information:

• Brief information about your organization and narrative about your history of successfully serving the education/economic development, health and welfare, civic, or cultural arts needs of Greater Cleveland.
• A description of the program/project for which you are seeking funding support; objectives of this program/project; its correlation with the Ferro Foundation Mission Statement and Strategic Framework; and an explanation of how a Ferro Foundation contribution would be used.
• Names of Ferro employees involved with your organization or proposal, if any.
• History of prior donations from the Ferro Foundation, if any.
• If applicable, any associated possibilities for Ferro employee volunteerism or pro bono intellectual services.
• Names of other corporate donors to the program/project for which you are seeking support.
• A current copy of your 501(c)(3) statement of tax exemption.

Requests should be submitted in writing to: Ferro Foundation, 1000 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44114.

A representative of the Ferro Foundation Contribution Committee will contact you following receipt of your proposal to discuss next steps.

Please note that the Ferro Foundation does not, as a matter of policy, contribute to individuals or individual endeavors, religious organizations, political campaigns or activities, or labor organizations. 

* The Foundation also funds select requests from Ferro employees who work in cities other than Cleveland, and various Ferro operations provide limited support to select local charitable and other nonprofit organizations.  However, the primary focus of the Ferro Foundation’s charitable giving is the Greater Cleveland area.