The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation was established in 1962 and has been a dedicated resource for charitable giving activities in the United States for over 60 years.

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation strives to have a positive impact in the areas where Cleveland-Cliffs operates by partnering with and investing in non-profit organizations that enhance educational opportunities, protect and improve the environment, promote human health, and support vibrant communities.

On this page, you will find more information about the Foundation’s

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Our Areas of Focus

Cleveland-Cliffs and our philanthropic Foundation invest in programs that serve the communities where we operate and meet one of our focus areas:

Education

Partnering with organizations that build skills, including STEM skills, across all age groups; preparing a ready workforce; and increasing employment opportunities for community members.

Environment

Supporting organizations that protect and restore the environment through land and water restoration, creating green spaces, and promoting sustainable communities and natural areas.

Healthy & Vibrant Communities

Working to build healthy, safe, vibrant communities by providing services and creating opportunities for underserved populations; funding programs that promote healthy lifestyles and combat disease; and investing in community-improvement initiatives led by arts, cultural and civic institutions.

Scholarships & Awards

Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program

The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation Sons and Daughters Scholarship is a competitive scholarship awarding $3,000 annually, for a maximum of four years while enrolled in an undergraduate institution. The scholarship program is administered by College Now and no employees of Cleveland-Cliffs are involved in the selection process.  You can download the scholarship application here.  You can also go to College Now's website to apply online. All applications must be received by February 19, 2025 to be considered. Please note that children of officers of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (the public company) are not eligible for the scholarship program.

Scholarships are intended to recognize and reward outstanding high school academic and non-academic achievement, and to provide financial assistance to scholars pursuing an associate’s or bachelor's degree. Scholarships will be awarded to students attending either an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university as outlined in the application procedures.

If you have questions, you can submit them via email to community@clevelandcliffs.com.

Louie F. Cox Memorial African American Scholarship

The Louie F. Cox Scholarship benefits African American students who live or will graduate from a high school located in Butler or Warren Counties in Ohio. The $20,000 scholarship strives to recognize and reward outstanding high school academic and non-academic achievements, and to provide financial assistance to deserving scholars pursuing a bachelor’s degree on a full-time basis from an accredited U.S. state or private not-for-profit college or university. No preference is given to Cleveland-Cliffs employees or their children. Association with Cleveland-Cliffs or its subsidiaries is not a condition of eligibility.

Employee Giving and Matching Gift Program

Cleveland-Cliffs and The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation are committed to the communities where we operate. Each community is unique, and we strive to be responsible corporate partner to help our communities thrive. Through The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, we are supporting causes most important to our employees through our Employee Giving and Matching Gift Program. The program is designed to: 

  • Encourage our employees to give back to nonprofit organizations most important to them
  • Increase total community impact by matching employee donations
  • Reinforce our commitment to supporting our local communities

Through The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation’s Employee Giving and Matching Gift Program, each employee is eligible to have $1,500, in the aggregate, of their personal charitable donations matched per year per the program guidelines. The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation will match employees’ financial donations to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, or tax-exempt police and fire departments and schools.  Please refer to the program guidelines for more details.

Access the Employee Giving and Matching Gift Portal

Download the Portal Login Instructions for information on accessing the employee portal.  Questions? Contact community@clevelandcliffs.com