Founded in 1988 as a provider of human services and to assist other organizations that provide human services to the disadvantaged. Originally incorporated in Delaware as The Reuter Family Foundation. It was the fastest and least expensive state in which to incorporate a non-profit organization at the time.
In 1992, the name was simplified to THE REUTER FOUNDATION and incorporated in the State of Ohio.
In 1995, the Foundation founded THE FIRST CREDIT FUND. This organization provided zero interest loans to individuals who did not qualify for regular bank loans. Loans of up to $1,200 were made with three year paybacks. The program was administered by volunteers from Catholic Charities, Key Bank & Bank One. The program was designed to help those coming out of prison, in transitional housing programs, and/or the working poor. The program was discontinued in 1998 because of the availability of very low cost loans from other service providers.
In 1996, the Foundation formed WOMEN’S HOUSING CORPORATION and purchased a 16 unit apartment building to provide a safe, affordable residence for women coming out of two year chemical dependency programs. The Foundation partnered with various transitional housing groups provided referrals to its apartments.
The Reuter Foundation enter into an agreement to help support run the Homeless Pilot Project at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. The Pilot involved about 30 homeless men and women volunteering to take an injectable long acting psychotropic medication in conjunction with active psychotherapy counseling during a six-month period.
The Reuter Foundation has a on-going grant to fund College Now’s High School Transition Advisor who works with students and their families in Cleveland’ Central Neighborhood. The Advisor continues to work in both Alfred Benesch and George Washington Carver schools as well as with community partners. College Now advisors provide guidance and resources to students to prepare for and explore postsecondary educational opportunities, including two-year, four-year and certificate programs.
The Reuter Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to be distributed for the next three years to the Rainbow Connects program that resides in the UH Rainbow Babies & Children Ahuja Center for Women and Children. The Rainbow Connects program links patients to resources to address needs related to the social determinants of health (food insecurity, utility assistance, clothing, furniture, baby supplies, etc.). Volunteers will screen patients for resource needs, direct them to helpful community resources to address those needs, and when possible, follow-up with patients to see if they were able to access the resource or have any additional needs.