The Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award is one of two awards established in 1964 by the late Edith Anisfield-Wolf – poet, philanthropist, and civic leader. Known by those closest to her as a quiet and reserved woman, Edith was ahead of her time in her thinking on social issues. She left her mark on Cleveland and its institutions with her main focus being to eliminate racial friction. A lifetime Clevelander, Edith was an independent, modern woman who pursued her own civic, artistic, and charitable interests. She was active in the Women’s City Club, the Association for Crippled and Disabled, and the Cleveland Public Library. She gained a reputation as “Cleveland’s publicity-shy philanthropist,” “a generous but shrewd businesswoman who could spot a ‘phony’ every time.” Named after her father, John Anisfield, and her husband, Eugene Everett Wolf, the Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award fund is held by The Cleveland Foundation. The Center for Community Solutions administers the award, given annually to a nonprofit community organization for outstanding service.
Past Award Winners:
2020 The Refugee Response2019 Literacy in the HOOD
2018 My Brother My Sister2017 May Dugan Center2016 Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank2015 EDWINS Restaurant & Leadership Initiative [re-entry]2014 Care Alliance Health Center [homeless/health care]2013 Ohio Guidestone [youth aging out of foster care]2012 Seeds of Literacy, Inc. [literacy]2011 Esperanza2010 YWCA of Greater Cleveland2009 Youth Opportunities Unlimited2008 Cleveland Tenants Organization2007 Slavic Village Development2006 Cleveland Christian Home2005 Adoption Network Cleveland2004 Towards Employment2003 AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland2002 The Hunger Network2001 The Gathering Place2000 Dress for Success1999 Applewood Centers, Inc.1998 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)1997 Providence House1996 Eliza Bryant Center1995 El Barrio, Inc.1994 Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence1993 Cleveland Works1992 Young African-American Reclamation Project, Community Re-Entry1991 Stopping AIDS Is My Mission1990 Project: LEARN1989 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association1988 North Coast Community Homes, Inc.1987 WomenSpace1986 Child Conservation Council of Greater Cleveland1985 Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry1984 Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Panel, Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland1983 Bellflower House, Parents Anonymous of Northeast Ohio1982 Beech Brook1981 Greater Cleveland Foodbank1980 Mental Health Outpatient Program, Center for Human Services1979 Catholic Counseling Center1978 Displaced Homemaker Program, Cuyahoga Community College1977 Jewish Community Center1976 Hill House1975 Glenville Health Association1974 Greater Cleveland Interchurch Council1973 Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland1972 Cleveland Scholarship Program1971 Urban League of Cleveland1970 Homemaker Service, Cuyahoga County Welfare Department1969 Supplementary Education Center, Cleveland Board of Education1968 Community Services Center at Mt. Pleasant1967 Legal Aid Society1966 Vocational Guidance and Rehabilitation1965 PACE Association1964 Businessmen’s Interracial Committee
