Illuminating Hope

At Community West Foundation, philanthropy isn’t just about giving—it’s about creating meaningful, lasting support that reflects our shared values and vision for a better quality of life for our neighbors living in Cleveland, Western Cuyahoga, and Lorain Counties. For three decades, we’ve partnered with individuals, families, and communities to bring hope, compassion, and transformative impact to those who need it most.

Our Approach is Personal and Intentional

We know that every dollar represents a donor’s trust and desire to make a difference. That’s why we take the time to understand the organizations we support on a deeper level. We carefully vet each grantee, ensuring that your contributions are directed to the right causes, at the right time, where they will have the greatest impact. We handle the due diligence, so you can focus on what matters most—seeing the change you inspire.

Play Button Icon

As a hospital conversion foundation, we’ve grown from supporting hospital care to a broader purpose that reaches deep into the needs of Western Cleveland. While we are now independent, we continue to support Cleveland Clinic Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals through essential fundraising and grantmaking, building on our legacy of compassionate care.

Our Mission

The mission of Community West Foundation is to advance the health and well-being of our community.

Our Affiliations

  • National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
  • The Council on Foundations
  • Fund for Our Economic Future

Our History

1986
Lutheran Medical Center joins Fairview General Hospital in forming Health Cleveland, Inc. Fairview Foundation expanded to become Fairview/Lutheran Foundation. 
1997
Fairview and Lutheran hospitals became part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System. When this happened, the Fairview/Lutheran Foundation became a freestanding philanthropic organization governed by its own board of trustees and independent of the health system. Henry Jacques, who previously led the Fairview Hospital Foundation, was named President of the newly formed organization.
1998
Fairview/Lutheran Foundation reached $76.7 million in assets.
1999
Inaugural year for the foundation’s community-wide grantmaking efforts. The foundation provided community grants to 11 organizations totaling $180,600. Henry Jacques retired after 16 years of service, announcing David T. Dombrowiak as his successor.
2006
Fairview/Lutheran Foundation became Community West Foundation. The name change was meant to reflect the foundation’s focus on community-wide grantmaking while still supporting both Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals.
2013
Community West Foundation reached $103.5 million in assets.
2014
Community West Foundation started the Socks+ initiative after learning that socks were, and still are, the number one requested item by the homeless.
2020
Community West Foundation provided 70 grants to community organizations, the most in the foundation’s history, totaling $2.4 million. President and CEO, David T. Dombrowiak, retired after 21 years of service, announcing Martin Uhle, 10-year term board of directors member, as his successor. The foundation reached $150.1 million in assets.  
2022
Community West Foundation awarded $3.4 million in quarterly grants to over 100 nonprofits.
Marty J Uhle
Quote Icon
Martin J. Uhle
President and CEO
Our Staff and Board of Directors are guided by the words in Matthew 25:35-40: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”