The Erwin and Katherine Geis Charitable Foundation was established in 2001 and is supported by employees of Geis Companies and members of the Geis family as they honor the legacy of the construction company's founders.
Our Mission
“Geis exemplifies the tenet of turning passion into purpose through charity, employee volunteerism, and projects that are laying the groundwork for success for the next generation of Clevelanders.”
-Ronald B. Richard, president and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation.
The Geis Foundation’s story and mission is intrinsically intertwined with the story of the Geis Family. German immigrants, Mr. and Mrs. Geis came to Northeast Ohio with little in their pockets and the dream of a better life in America. Through hard work, perseverance, and some help from new friends along the way, they formed the Geis Companies in 1967, a small design build company. The more successful their endeavors became, the more they felt the need to give back. As they became involved in numerous charitable efforts, it was their employees that established the first scholarship in their names as a Christmas gift in 2001.
It is in their honor that The Erwin & Katherine Geis Charitable Foundation promotes education to underprivileged youth, assists in the development of the design/build industry, and encourages the philanthropic efforts of Geis employees. We routinely fund $50,000 of scholarships to several Greater Cleveland Catholic High Schools, $21,000 of scholarships to Geis extended family members, and we also award grants to local non-profits, including Rainey Institute, Boys Hope Girls Hope, and numerous other worthy groups.
5 YEARS
PARTICIPATING IN JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
6
POLAR PLUNGE
PARTICIPANTS
10
VOLUNTEERS AT REFUGEE FARM DAY
850
BOOKS HANDED OUT AT RAINEY INSTITUTE
$1.5M
CREATION OF THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION GEIS FUND
125
CATHOLIC DIOCESE GEIS SCHOLARSHIPS
97
EXTENDED GEIS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIPS
$840,000
TO FOUNDATION GRANT RECIPIENTS