Welcome to Groundwork NEO

A directory of social justice organizations rooted in Northeast Ohio.

Bringing people, purpose, and organizations together

This digital hub is designed to highlight the people and groups working every day to build a more just, connected, and equitable region. Whether you’re looking to collaborate, volunteer, attend local events, or simply learn more, Groundwork NEO is your starting point. Together, we’re laying the foundation for collective action and long-term change—one connection at a time.

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ACLU Ohio

The ACLU of Ohio envisions a just and equitable Ohio where all people are fairly represented in a strong democracy,

ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County

The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County is responsible for the planning, funding and

Akron Area Interfaith Council

The Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC) exists to initiate, coordinate and enable effective interfaith responses to the social, moral, ethical

Akron Children’s Hospital

Akron Children’s Hospital is ranked among the best children‘s hospitals in the country, it‘s their compassionate approach to treatment that

Akron Community Foundation

Akron Community Foundation is where generous families, individuals, companies and nonprofits make charitable dollars go the furthest for the permanent

Akron Interfaith Council

The Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC) exists to initiate, coordinate and enable effective interfaith responses to the social, moral, ethical

Marginalized Groups

Akron NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People aims to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing

Marginalized Groups

Akron Urban League

Akron Urban League aims to become the go-to hub of collaborative services known for transforming and repositioning Summit County citizens,

Educational Institutions

Akron-Summit Public Library

The Akron-Summit County Public Library provides resources for learning and leisure, information services, meeting spaces, and programs for all ages

Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

As the promoters of Summit County’s vibrant hospitality scene, the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau champions the impact the tourism

American Immigration Council (Ohio Chapter)

The American Immigration Council envisions a nation where immigrants are embraced, communities are enriched, and justice prevails for all. They

Antioch Baptist Church Cleveland

Founded in 1893, Antioch Baptist Church is the second oldest Black church in Cleveland, Ohio–and a church that paved innovative

Arts and Culture

Anvaya Feats

Anvaya Feats is a Service Disabled Veteran, Woman and Minority led nonprofit that provides a diverse range of services to

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. They do this

Bainbridge Community United Church of Christ

We are a 200 year old community rebuilding itself to proclaim and live by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This

Educational Institutions

Baldwin Wallace University

This is the official student campus community platform of Baldwin Wallace University. Discover campus activities and events and find a

Marginalized Groups

Bengali Cultural Society Cleveland

Bengali Cultural Society of Cleveland, OH would be a meeting ground of Bengalees and their friends in Northeastern Ohio and

Marginalized Groups

Black Appalachian Coalition

The Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) amplifies Black voices, dismantles the colonized narrative of Appalachia, and uses story-based strategies and solutions

Marginalized Groups

CAIR Ohio

CAIR-Cleveland is a Chapter of CAIR – The Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR is a non-profit, grassroots civil rights organization

Marginalized Groups

CANAPI

Every day, CANAPI helps empower LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS to live safe, healthy, and joyful lives by

Arts and Culture

Canton Cultural Center for the Arts

The Cultural Center for the Arts is a premier hub for arts, culture, and education in Stark County. Website View

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

The Cleveland Clinic is a world-renowned, non-profit academic medical center that integrates patient care, research, and education. Website View Website

Environmental Justice

Cleveland Environmental Justice Coalition

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) has advocated for a healthier environment for all who call Ohio home. Through persistence and

Educational Institutions

Cleveland Public Library

Cleveland Public Library is The People’s University, the center of learning for a diverse and inclusive community. Website View Website

Marginalized Groups

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s mission is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promote healing and prevention, and advocate

Educational Institutions

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University is a public research institution with more than 14,000 students, 8 colleges and schools and more than

Environmental Justice

Cleveland Water Alliance

Cleveland Water Alliance seeks to better utilize the Great Lakes Region’s economic and job-creating potential while urging greater care of

Environmental Justice

Coit Road Farmer’s Market

The Coit Road Farmers’ Market has been an anchor in East Cleveland since 1932, with a mission of providing access

Educational Institutions

Columbus Metropolitan Library

Open to All since 1873. They are driven by their strategic plan and customer-centric philosophy to strive to make a

Community Church of Chesterland

The Community Church of Chesterland is a loving and welcoming community of faith, nurturing and empowering people to enrich the

Environmental Justice

Crown Point Ecology Center

The mission of Crown Point is to demonstrate the practical applications of ecology and to connect spirituality, social justice and

Educational Institutions

Cuyahoga Community College

Founded in 1963 as Ohio’s first community college, Tri-C has provided high-quality, affordable education and programs to more than 1.2

Environmental Justice

Cuyahoga Valley National Parks

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is Ohio’s only national park, preserving over 33,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and waterfalls along the

Educational Institutions

CWRU School of Law/Social Justice Law Center

CWRU School of Law/Social Justice Law Center is a nationally recognized law school in the heart of University Circle, a

Educational Institutions

CWRU Social Justice Institute

The Social Justice Institute strives to create a just world. They examine the root causes of social injustice and develop

Destination Geauga

Destination Geauga is the primary tourism marketing organization for Geauga County, Ohio, promoting the area’s unique, rural charm, Amish culture,

Doors of Hope Geauga

Doors of Hope Geauga is a nonprofit created by three Geauga County residents with a shared passion for serving those

Educational Institutions

Elizabeth’s of Akron

Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre is an independent bookstore and literary space dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices through books, writing,

Empowering Epilepsy

Empowering Epilepsy connects people with epilepsy to experts and peers for education, care, and friendship. They anchor a caring community

Environmental Justice

Environmental Health Watch

Website View Website Organization Contact Kim Foreman contact@ehw.org 216-961-4646

Equality Ohio (Columbus)

Equality Ohio identifies and transforms systems and institutions so LGBTQ+ Ohioans can fully access legal and lived equality. They envision

Family & Community Services, Inc.

Axess Family Services (AFS) provides access to comprehensive healthcare, behavioral health services, and social services. AFS serves over 350,000 adults

Family and Children First Council

Family & Children First Council collaborates with families and the community to join specialists from all youth-serving agencies in discussions,

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland serves the American people as part of the US central bank. They support the

Federated Church

The Federated Church is a church for lively, thoughtful, energetic, committed people who seek hope and wisdom and connection and

Marginalized Groups

Fighting to Understand

Fighting to Understand is part of what is known as the Healthy Democracy Ecosystem – a large group of non-profit

Marginalized Groups

Friendly Inn Settlement

Friendly Inn Settlement, Inc., established in 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation’s oldest settlement houses, offering vital

Educational Institutions

Geauga County Public Library

The public library of Geauga County Website View Website Organization Contact 440-286-6811

Environmental Justice

Geauga Park District

Since 1961, Geauga Park District has worked to ensure that the most delicate ecosystems and the best park sites in

Marginalized Groups

Geauga SOGI Support Network

Geauga SOGI Support Network develops connection and collaboration with other organizations for the purpose of knowledge, resources, education, and collective

Marginalized Groups

Great Stark County Urban League

Great Stark County Urban League aims to empower communities, change lives, and enable the disenfranchised to reach full economic, social,

Greater Cleveland Community Shares

The Greater Cleveland Community Shares supports social justice organizations through workplace giving and other philanthropic initiatives. Website View Website Organization

Greater Cleveland Congregations

Greater Cleveland Congregations’ mission is to be a powerful force for change, creating justice and opportunity in Greater Cleveland by

Greenleaf Family Center: Moms & Babies First

Since 1912, Greenleaf Family Center has served thousands of area men, women, and children through a wide variety of ever-changing

Environmental Justice

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary-Portage

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes criminally abused, neglected and abandoned farm animals. Read on for our

Environmental Justice

Hiram House Camp

Hiram House Camp aims to enrich the lives of children through the magic of summer camps. Nestled just east of

Environmental Justice

Holden Arboretum

The Holden Arboretum is a 3,600-acre outdoor living museum in Kirtland, Ohio, dedicated to trees, plants, and conservation. Website View

Hopewood Pines Marengo

HopeWood Outdoors is where faith and the great outdoors come together. Our community values diversity and growth and the experiences

In Step with Horses

In Step With Horses is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in Chesterland, Ohio. Driven by a single goal – to provide

Marginalized Groups

Ingenuity Cleveland

Ingenuity Cleveland ignites the creative spark among artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators through joy and collaboration to foster community progress. Website

Educational Institutions

John Carroll University

Every day, John Carroll University helps students grow in knowledge, character, and community. These statements reflect their Jesuit Catholic heritage

Journey on Yonder (JOY)

JOY is a community advisory and outdoor experience business, working in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) space. They advocate

Arts and Culture

Karamu House

Karamu House is a place of joyful gathering (the meaning of ‘Karamu” in Swahili), where people from different races, religions,

Environmental Justice

Kelly’s Working Well Farm

“More Than a Farm” vision is the utilization of a farm as a means to develop and share practices that

Educational Institutions

Kent State University Social Justice DEPT

A strong focus of research at Kent State lies in examining how ethnicity and nationalism play out geographically. Members of

Educational Institutions

Kent State University Social Justice DEPT.

A strong focus of research at Kent State lies in examining how ethnicity and nationalism play out geographically. Members of

Lead for Pollinators (Akron)

LEAD for Pollinators is a hive of experienced, diverse, purposeful individuals collaborating for the health and sustainability of honey bees,

Environmental Justice

Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition

The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition is a public-private partnership formed in 2019 to address the issue of lead poisoning in

Marginalized Groups

League of Women Voters of Canton Area

The League of Women Voters is made up of women and men who are committed to making democracy work. They

Marginalized Groups

LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland is a leading nonprofit organization that empowers Northeast Ohio’s LGBTQ

Linden Community Center

The Linden Community Center serving as a hub for community engagement, it offers a fitness center, gymnasium, elevated walking track,

Living Water Association

Our purpose is to be a resource and support for the health and wellbeing of our congregations, that we may

Manna From Heaven

Manna Food From Heaven Ministries Is A Non-Profit Organization Consisting Of A Group Of Christian Men And Women From Various

Mayfield Heights Aquatic and Community Center

The Mayfield Heights Aquatic & Community Center serves as a central hub for residents, featuring a 55+ fitness center, gymnasium,

Merrick House

The Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland is rich in history, culture, and tradition. Merrick House is an integral part of this

Metro Health Cleveland

The MetroHealth System is redefining health care by going beyond medical treatment to improve the foundations of community health and

Metro West Community Development Organization

The Metro West Community Development Organization aims to revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen communities by investing in housing, economic opportunity, and

Mom’s First

MomsFirst supports expecting mothers, fathers and babies in Cleveland by promoting infant health and well-being. The program offers home visits,

Mt. Zion United Church of Christ

The Mt. Zion United Church of Christ is a church for the Whole Family of God. Website View Website Organization

Arts and Culture

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Website View Website Organization Contact Joshua Hill info@mocacleveland.org 216-461-8761

Marginalized Groups

MYCOM Cle

Website View Website Organization Contact Blair Wise blair@mycomcle.org 216-399-2273

Nami Greater Cleveland

NAMI GC is a local affiliate of NAMI with approximately 800 peer, family, professional and organizational members. They provide support

Marginalized Groups

National Council for Negro Women-Cleveland

National Council Negro Women (NCNW) is an “organization of organizations,” comprised of 330 campus and community-based sections and 33 national

New Avenues to Independence

New Avenues to Independence aims to uphold the dignity of persons with disabilities by increasing accessibility through innovative opportunities for

Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition

The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition is the first organization in the State of Ohio dedicated to addressing disparities in

Marginalized Groups

Northeast Ohio Pollinator Society: OSU

The Northeast Ohio Pollinator Society of Ohio State University Website View Website Organization Contact u@osu.edu 614-292-5000

Marginalized Groups

NPOWER Services

NPower Services helps integrate adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities into their communities by identifying and providing employment readiness skill

Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding (CBUS)

The mission of the Coalition is to secure high quality educational opportunities for all Ohio school children without diminishing opportunities

Ohio Council of Churches (Columbus)

The Ohio Council of Churches is not just a governing board or a staff configuration. It is a movement of

Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (CBUS)

The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) cultivates a future in which sustainable and organic farmers thrive, local food

Ohio Environmental Council

For more than 55 years, the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) has advocated for a healthier environment for all who call

Ohio Network of National Children’s Advocacy (Columbus)

The statewide association composed of accredited and developing local children’s advocacy centers (CACs) or developing multi-disciplinary team members. Their member

Ohio Organizing Collaborative (Akron)

Since 2007, Ohio Organizing Collaborative (Akron) has fought to end mass incarceration and create a more racially and economically equitable

Ohio State Bar Racial Justice Initiative (Columbus)

The Ohio State Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting philanthropy and encouraging service to create a more just

Ohio Voice (Columbus)

Ohio Voice fights for policies that improve people’s lives by supporting organizations doing progressive civic engagement work in Ohio all

Environmental Justice

Organic Connects

Organic Connects incorporates Community Resiliency into every aspect of the work that they do. They shape their programs and practices

Patterson Park Community Center

The Patterson Park Community Center in Akron, Ohio, is a newly constructed 12,400-square-foot facility opened in 2023 at 800 Patterson

People’s Justice Project-OHIO

PJP seeks to be a political home for people who want to struggle together and build power with each other.

Environmental Justice

Petitti’s Garden Center

Petitti Garden Centers is a family-owned, home & garden business with ten locations serving the Cleveland, Akron-Canton, and Youngstown communities.

Project Hope for the Homeless

Project Hope for the Homeless is Lake County’s only homeless shelter. In addition to providing the area’s homeless with safe

Marginalized Groups

Racial Equity Buddies of Greater Cleveland

Racial Equity Buddies is a diverse and growing grassroots organization based in Greater Cleveland that takes a holistic approach (via

Environmental Justice

Red Oak Camp

Red Oak Camp envisions a world in which all citizen campers, young and old, have a deep and lasting connection

Environmental Justice

Rid-All Green Partnerships

Rid-All Green Partnership is an 18-acre urban farm and non-profit in Cleveland’s Kinsman neighborhood, founded by three friends to transform

Educational Institutions

Schubert Center for Child Studies: CWRU

The Schubert Center hosts a diverse array of exciting events throughout the year, featuring an exceptional annual lecture series and

Environmental Justice

See You At the Top: Get Black Outside

They grow leaders and environmental stewards through outdoor recreation, nature advocacy, and community organizing. Website View Website Organization Contact Ebony

Environmental Justice

Sierra Club Ohio: NEO Group

Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. We are the

Environmental Justice

Sierra Club Ohio: Portage Trail Group

Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. We are the

Social Justice Advocacy Ministry

We prayerfully seek to educate ourselves and take action consistent with our faith in order to bring justice to those

Marginalized Groups

Social Justice Advocacy Ministry (SJAM)

The Social Justice Advocacy Ministry (SJAM) is a ministry of the Federated Church. The Federated Church is a church for

St. Paul’s Community Church

Located on the near west side of Cleveland, OH, we are surrounded by a diverse community of people from all

Marginalized Groups

Strategic Nonviolence Academy

The Mission of the Strategic Nonviolence Academy is to identify, educate, and empower individuals, inviting them to transform into practitioners

Summit Developmental Disabilities Board

Summit Developmental Disabilities Board aims to helping people of all abilities reach their full potential, one person at a time.

The Black Birth Collective

The Black Birth Collective is dedicated to delivering compassionate and intentional care with evidence-based practices to improve the maternal and

Arts and Culture

The City Club of Cleveland

The City Club of Cleveland is one of the nation’s great free speech forums. A product of the Progressive Era,

Educational Institutions

The Cleveland-Marshall School of Law

The Cleveland-Marshall School of Law educates their students to be practice-ready professionals who are prepared to lead. Website View Website

Marginalized Groups

The Freedom Bloc Akron

The Freedom BLOC/ROC is a Black-led organization in Ohio focused on achieving social, racial, and economic justice. Recognizing economic hardship,

The Ohio Unity Coalition (Columbus)

The Ohio Unity Coalition is a state affiliate of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation in Washington DC. Their

The United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls

We are family of faith, living in hope, and serving in love. We are a place to make friends, learn

The Word Church

The Word Church is a Jesus-centered ministry concerned with strengthening our members, winning the loss, and helping those in need.

Trans Ohio

TransOhio is dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender nonconforming people in Ohio. Website

United Church of Christ (CLE)

The United Church of Christ is an inclusive and diverse community of Christians connected by faith that calls them to

United Way Cleveland

United Way of Greater Cleveland recognizes that systemic racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to racial disparities that

United Way Geauga

United Way of Greater Cleveland is dedicated to the eradication of poverty and social disparities in our community. If we

Educational Institutions

University of Akron

The University of Akron, a publicly assisted metropolitan institution, strives to develop enlightened members of society. It offers comprehensive programs

Valley Presbyterian Church

We are a church that encourages people to follow both their heart and mind as they serve God. Members of

Environmental Justice

Western Reserve Land Conservancy

Western Reserve Land Conservancy are comprised of conservationists, urban planners, biologists, lawyers, communicators, real estate professionals, fundraisers and public policy

WNCO Radio (101.3)

WNCO-FM (101.3 MHz) is a commercial radio station in Ashland, Ohio, broadcasting a country music format to the Mid-Ohio region,

YMCA of Greater Cleveland

The YMCA of Greater Cleveland is a nonprofit organization focused on one thing: the well-being of everyone in our community.

Marginalized Groups

Young Latino Network

The mission of the Young Latino Network is to coalesce the power of Latinx/a/o/e communities in order to liberate and

YWCA Cleveland

YWCA Greater Cleveland is dedicated to building community, empowerment, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. For over