Burton D. Morgan Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $3.4M so far in 2026 to strengthen free enterprise and support entrepreneurs of diverse ages and stages across Northeast Ohio.
A $500,000 grant to Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) will expand access to technical and innovation support for small and growing manufacturers throughout Northeast Ohio. The investment reflects the foundation’s emphasis on helping established companies navigate growth, build capacity and contribute to a stronger regional economy.
Ethan Karp, President and CEO of MAGNET, commented, “This grant is a huge investment in MAGNET and in the manufacturers we serve. The foundation has been a true partner to us for years, helping second-stage and high-growth companies build stronger businesses. By significantly increasing its support now, the foundation is helping MAGNET reach more companies, bring advanced technology within reach and help manufacturers tackle some of their toughest AI, workforce and growth challenges. This is a dream partnership for MAGNET and for Northeast Ohio.”
Morgan Foundation’s support spans the entrepreneurial journey, from cultivating entrepreneurial and free enterprise mindsets to helping startups and established companies access the expertise, resources and connections they need to grow. Through strategic grantmaking, partnerships and foundation-led programming, the foundation works to strengthen the broader environment in which entrepreneurs and businesses can thrive.
“Entrepreneurs and growing companies need the right expertise, connections and learning opportunities at every stage of their journey,” said Dan Hampu, President and CEO of Burton D. Morgan Foundation. “These grants reinforce a strong continuum of support—from entrepreneurship education and startup assistance to second-stage growth and free enterprise education—while investing in trusted partners that are creating meaningful opportunities across Northeast Ohio.”
Other recent mission-focused grants include:
Akron Roundtable, $3,000 - to support the Signature Series speaker program
Ashland University, $36,800 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants
Ashland University, $75,000 - to support the 2026 Free Enterprise Speaker Series
Baldwin Wallace University, $60,800 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants
Baldwin Wallace University, $155,000 - to support LaunchNET activities
Bounce Innovation Hub, $77,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants
Bounce Innovation Hub, $27,000 - to support an advanced sales training program for entrepreneurs
Case Western Reserve University, $180,000 - to support LaunchNET activities
Case Western Reserve University, $70,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants and a community learning and gathering event
Case Western Reserve University, $70,000 - for Black Tech Week goals and sponsorship of the 2026 Osborn ELA Symposium
Cleveland State University Foundation, $77,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants
Cleveland State University Foundation, $150,000 - to support the Weston Ideation Lab and business growth services delivered through the GlobalTarget program
Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, $37,000 - to support continued development and expansion of mentoring and business advisory services
Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, $103,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants and staffing support and education for recipients
Economic Growth Foundation, $25,000 - for a COSE Initiative sponsorship
Entrepreneurs' Organization of Cleveland, $75,000 - to support organization activities, scholarships and the 2026 XCentric Regional Conference
Foundation for Teaching Economics, $75,000 - to support the 2026 Free Enterprise Speaker Series
Greater Akron Chamber Foundation, $20,000 - to support sponsorship of 2026 educational events and programming for companies in their growth stage
Hebrew Free Loan Association, $62,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants and staffing support and education for recipients
John Carroll University, $25,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants
John Carroll University, $140,000 - to support LaunchNET activities
JumpStart, $400,000 - to support the Trailblazer HealthTech and Software Accelerators, Ohio VC Fest and CapitalReady
Kent State University Foundation, $65,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants and a community learning and gathering event
Kent State University Foundation, $75,000 – for the Ohio Employee Ownership Center to provide succession planning and support a workforce feasibility report
Kent State University Foundation, $30,000 - to support a longitudinal economic impact analysis of Scalerator companies
Kent State University Foundation, $225,000 - to support LaunchNET activities
Kent State University Foundation, $15,000 - for a YIPPEE Educator Fellowship cohort for Northeast Ohio K–12 educators to be implemented by the Research Center for Educational Technology department
Lorain County Community College Foundation, $150,000 - to support LaunchNET activities
Lorain County Community College Foundation, $5,000 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants
Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development, $43,400 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants and staffing support and education for recipients
Northeast Ohio Medical University Foundation, $75,000 - to support the Bench to Bedside Program
Ohio Startup Network, $57,100 - to support the delivery of entrepreneurial programming
Purdue University, $10,000 - to support high-impact experiential learning opportunities that complement undergraduate entrepreneurship education
SEA Change Incorporated, $43,400 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants and staffing support and education for recipients
Teaching Cleveland Foundation, $15,000 - for a YIPPEE Educator Fellowship cohort for Northeast Ohio K–12 educators
The City Club of Cleveland, $7,500 - to sponsor a City Club of Cleveland Forum
The University of Akron Foundation, $12,400 - to support the distribution of Morgan Startup business grants and staffing support and education for recipients
The University of Akron Foundation, $40,000 – to support the 2026 Free Enterprise Speaker Series and Fellowship through the Barker Center for Economics
Community and Philanthropy grants were also awarded to support the Hudson community, field-building organizations and related initiatives. Recipients include:
Akron Roundtable, $850 - for sponsorship of the 2026 State of the City address
Candid, $7,500 - for operating support of the Candid Midwest Region
Community Initiatives, $5,000 - for 2026-2027 Entrepreneurship Funders' Network membership support
Hudson Community Foundation, $115,000 - for the Morgan Family Fund to support Hudson initiatives
PEAK Grantmaking, $2,250 - for membership support
Philanthropy Ohio, $20,000 - to support membership, conference and operating support
Western Reserve Academy, $20,000 - to support the Wang Innovation Center in celebration of Western Reserve Academy's 200th anniversary