Cleveland Browns Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CLEVELAND BROWNS FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO TAKING A SOLUTION-BASED, HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ENSURE YOUTH IN OHIO AND BEYOND RECEIVE THE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION THEY NEED AS A FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENCE AND SUCCESS.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 99%
- Reserves
- 8.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 666
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)
- $1.2 million spent. STAY IN THE GAME! ATTENDANCE NETWORK WORKS TOGETHER TO CAMPAIGN, CONNECT AND CONVENE WITH EXPERTS AND SUPPORTERS TO DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT OHIO.
- $100,000 spent. THE GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK WORKS TO ENSURE EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITIES HAS THE NUTRITIOUS FOOD THEY NEED EVERY DAY.
- $1.0 million spent. THE BROWNS FIELD PROJECT CREATES SAFE PLACES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENJOY AS THE FIELDS ARE LINED FOR MULTIPLE SPORTS AND THE SYNTHETIC FIELDS CAN BE USED FOR RECREATIONAL CAN COMMUNITY PURPOSES. ANNUALLY, THE BROWNS INSTALL A SYNTHETIC TURF FIELD IN COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR PLAY.
- $348,481 spent. CHANGEMAKERS - THE BROWNS HONORED THREE INDIVIDUALS AS THE BROWNS CHANGE MAKER AWARD RECIPIENTS, FOR THEIR WORK THROUGH THE BUILD THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE. BUILD THE BRIDGE REACHES MULTIPLE SCHOOLS IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY TO BRING TOGETHER ATHLETES FROM DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS TO ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER TO UNDERSTAND THEIR DIFFERENCES. CLUB MATCHING GRANT - FUNDS SUPPORT THE CLEVELAND MUNY FOOTBALL LEAGUE WHICH SERVES OVER 2000 ATHLETES WHO PLAY THE GAME THROUGH THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING FLAG FOOTBALL, ROOKIE TACKLE AND 11-MAN. SERVING MULTIPLE NEIGHBORHOODS, ATHLETES WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY, CAN DO SO, AS THE FUNDING HELPS OFFSET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAGUE PLAY.CLUB MATCHING ATHLETIC TRAINER - KNOWING NOT ALL SCHOOLS HAVE ATHLETIC TRAINERS, THE BROWNS HAVE PARTNERED WITH UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE FUNDING THAT ALLOWS A TRAINER TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN TWO SCHOOLS IN THE CLEVELAND METROPOLTAN SCHOOL DISTRICT.NIKE GRANT - FUNDING THROUGH THIS GRANT SUPPORTED UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS FOR THE BROWNS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM AS WELL AS THE HS COMBINE DESIGNED BY BUILD THE BRIDGE. SALUTE TO SERVICE - ANNUALLY THE BROWNS HAVE DONE A VOLUNTEER PROJECT TO ASSEMBLE CARE PACKAGES THAT GO TO THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING OUR COUNTRY. TO ENSURE THE CARE PACKAGES GO TO THE APPROPRIATE RECIPIENTS, WE WORKED WITH THE USO OF NORTHERN OHIO.VOLUNTEERISM - THROUGH THE BROWNS FIRST AND TEN VOLUNTEER PLATFORM, WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF TO GIVE BACK IN MEANINGFUL WAYS. THROUGH OUR SUMMER BLITZ PROJECT, STAFF HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER AND TAKE PART IN PROJECTS THAT REACH THE CORE INITIATIVES THE BROWNS ARE FOCUSED ON THROUGH EDUCATION, YOUTH FOOTBALL, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. THE PROJECTS RANGE FROM FLAG FOOTBALL KITS TO TEACHER APPRECIATION PACKAGES. FUNDING HELPS WITH THESE ITEMS, WHICH ARE DISTRIBUTED TO A WIDE RANGES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS. SC4K'24 SEASON GRANT - SHOES AND CLOTHES FOR KIDS' MISSION IS TO IMPROVE K-8 SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BY ELIMINATING LACK OF APPROPRIATE CLOTHING, SHOES AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES AS BARRIERS.MARION MOTLEY SCHOLARSHIP - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND, THE CLEVELAND BROWNS FOUNDATION ANNUALLY SURPRISE TWO RECIPIENTS WITH A $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO FURTHER THE EDUCATION OF PROMISING YOUNG STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE ATTENDEES.HS COACH OF THE WEEK - THE WINNING TEAM FROM THE SELECTED GAME OF THE WEEK WEEKS 1-10 OF THE HIGH SCHOOL REGULAR SEASON RECEIVES $3,000 FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PROGRAM. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SEASON, THE BROWNS ANNOUNCE THE HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR, WHO WILL EARN AN ADDITIONAL $6,000 FOR THEIR PROGRAM.CRUCIAL CATCH - THE NFL AND THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ARE CONTINUING TO EXPAND THEIR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER THROUGH THE "CRUCIAL CATCH: INTERCEPT CANCER" CAMPAIGN. AFTER NEARLY A DECADE OF SUPPORTING BREAST CANCER, THE NFL AND ACS HAVE EVOLVED THE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS EARLY DETECTION AND RISK REDUCTION EFFORTS FOR ALL CANCERS TO INCREASE THEIR IMPACT.NFL PLAY 60 - FOR MORE THAN 18 SEASONS, THE NFL PLAY 60 INITIATIVE HAS BEEN THE LEAGUE'S NATIONAL YOUTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS PLATFORM TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO GET PHYSICALLY ACTIVE FOR AT LEAST 60 MINUTES A DAY AND ENCOURAGE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THE PLAY 60 MOVEMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AND MOTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUTH ALONGSIDE THE 32 NFL CLUBS AND OUR PLAY 60 PARTNERS TO GET MOVING AND PLAY 60.MEIJER GYM TAKEOVER - HELPS KIDS LIVE HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER LIVES BY SUPPORTING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.HUDDLE LEGACY - THE CLEVELAND HUDDLE PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN 2021 TO ASSIST LOCAL BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS WHILE ALSO PROVIDING FOOD RELIEF TO LOCAL INDIVIDUALS IN NEED.CPR EDUCATION - AIMS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CPR AND AED EDUCATION TRAINING AND AWARENESS FOR THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY OF NORTHEAST OHIO WHO MAY OTHERWISE NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.MY CAUSE MY CLEATS - THE MY CAUSE MY CLEATS CAMPAIGN, LAUNCHED IN 2016, IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE NFL AND PLAYERS ALLOWING THEM TO CREATE THEIR ART AND REPRESENT THEIR RESPECTIVE PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS, PASSIONS, AND MOVEMENTS THROUGH UNIQUE DESIGNS IN STADIUMS ACROSS THE LEAGUE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable organization.
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? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, 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 September 1999.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Cleveland Foundation (Cleveland, OH), EIN 34-0714588. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.