Greater Cleveland Partnership
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
Business association mobilizing private, civic, and public leadership, expertise, and resources to accelerate growth and prosperity across the region.
- Income
- $15.4 million
- Spending
- $16.4 million
- Employees
- 101
- Volunteers
- 104
- Highest pay
- $746,264, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- Appealing Communities:Appealing communities are essential to attracting and retaining vibrant businesses and talented people. We focus on shaping Greater Cleveland into a dynamic place where people want to live, work, and play. Through collaboration with public and private partners, we advance interconnected, inclusive development across downtown, the waterfront, and surrounding neighborhoods. We invest in both residential growth and commercial revitalization, supported by accessible and efficient transit. We push for better parks and trails, stronger arts and culture, and the kind of sports and entertainment experiences that make a city stand out. We advocate for expanded resources that enhance quality of life, and we work to strengthen air service and connectivity that supports both business and leisure travel.Enhance City Development: In 2024, GCP supported Cleveland's securing of major federal and state resources to transform the lakefront, riverfront, and downtown. Through Cleveland Development Advisors, GCP continues to invest in catalytic real estate projects in neighborhoods like Ohio City, Clark-Fulton, Midtown, and Fairfax, leveraging partnerships with local developers to redevelop underutilized properties and bring new housing and commercial activity to life.Expand recreational amenities including parks, arts and culture, and sports: GCP supported the Metroparks efforts in securing funding for trails and connectors, and championed the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture levy, which passed with overwhelming voter support. GCP continues to pay a vital role in coordinating, promoting, and amplifying major Cleveland events.Improve airport and air service connections: GCP supports the City's efforts in securing more flights to the region including providing direct support for the Aer Lingus flight. It also provided business community perspectives on airport improvement priorities in 2024 and supported the City's leadership efforts towards a major terminal modernization program.
- Talent:Dynamic businesses need abundant talent to grow. Our focus is catalyzing business-led initiatives and work-based learning opportunities for in-demand jobs. We collaborate with employers, educators, and career training partners to increase enrollment and completion in degree and credential programs across high-growth industries. We also strengthen pathways into the workforce through internships, apprenticeships, and co-ops driven by industry needs. To build early awareness and engagement, we support programs that connect high school students to career exploration and real-world experiences, helping young people navigate their options and pursue meaningful employment.Retain college graduates: Through the Cleveland Talent Alliance, GCP helped host record-setting intern engagement events, including Summer in the Land, College Fest and a Winter Career Fair, connecting 1,700+ interns to the region and showcasing local career opportunities. 2024 also saw a rise in college and university enrollments and graduate retention in Greater Cleveland.Expand apprenticeships and tech credentials: In addition, GCP operated the Apprenticeship Hub with a focus on engaging companies and individuals in apprenticeships in non-traditional industries such as health care, financial services, and hospitality. GCP also promoted increased usage of tech credentialing to up-skill workers.Broaden career awareness among high school students through exposure programs: Through partnerships, GCP supported expansions of apprenticeship programs, linking high school and post-secondary students to career pathways. GCP engaged over 2,600 high school students from across the region in career connected learning experiences with industry volunteers from over 50 Northeast Ohio companies and supported the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium's expansion to 10 school districts to broaden access to career-connected and work-based learning programs.
- Business Innovation & Growth:A thriving regional economy depends on the strength of its business community. Our focus is on driving growth through productivity, innovation, and strategic support for businesses of all sizes. We work alongside partners to promote business expansion by connecting companies to growth incentives, real estate solutions, and workforce strategies. For small and mid-sized firms, we offer access to capital, cost-saving programs, and opportunities to build networks and share ideas. We accelerate innovation across startups, established companies, and research institutions through targeted sector strategies, cross-sector collaboration, and increased funding to fuel new technologies and commercialization.Innovation Initiatives: In 2024, GCP supported major innovation alliances including the NEO-Smart NSF Engines and Polymer Tech Hub efforts that connect industry and institutions. GCP continues to lead efforts to grow NASA Glenn through advocacy and community partnerships. In addition, GCP continued to lead a group of 50 company and institutional sustainability leaders focused on innovations and operations, hosting quarterly events, an energy working group, and organizing an annual Sustainability Summit with over 400 business attendees.Promote business expansions and site readiness: In 2024, GCP advocated for funds for site development and brownfield remediation. In addition, it supported Team NEO and JobsOhio initiatives for business expansion and attraction in the region.Grow small and middle-market enterprises by connecting them to business building resources, funding opportunities and cost-saving benefits: As the small business division of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) has supported and advocated for entrepreneurs and small business owners for over 50 years. Members benefit from cost-saving programs, educational resources, networking opportunities, and personalized navigation to the tools and funding they need to grow. COSE also serves as a strong voice for small business interests, working to ensure a supportive policy environment for local enterprises. Small and mid-sized companies are a cornerstone of the regional economy, driving job creation, innovation, and neighborhood vitality. In 2024, COSE built a Resource Hub for entrepreneurs, launched network groups for food, construction, and arts businesses, and continued to foster entrepreneurial success through its signature program, Cleveland Chain Reaction, a small business pitch competition that connects entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and community exposure. Now in its seventh season, the initiative remains a powerful engine for economic inclusion and growth in Cleveland's emerging neighborhoods.
- Advocacy:GCP advocates for policies and programs at the regional, state, and federal levels to secure the policies, partnerships, and investments that advance the region's growth and competitiveness. In 2024, our advocacy efforts supported inclusive development, innovation, workforce readiness, and high-impact infrastructure projects that shape Greater Cleveland's future. We:- Promoted innovation-led growth through support for advanced materials research, energy innovation, and NASA Glenn expansion- Promoted business friendliness measures related to state policies- Promoted talent development policies and programs focused on education and training access, internships, credentialing, and career-exposure programs- Supported funding for lakefront access, and site readiness to advance major development projects
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1921.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.