Become a Member of FutureHeights during the 2025 Membership Drive
FutureHeights is a unique organization – we are the ONLY community development corporation serving Cleveland Heights and University Heights, more than 57,000 residents! However, it is solely through our partnership with YOU, our generous supporters and donors, that we’re able to continue doing important work.
FutureHeights is a nonprofit organization that works to protect and enhance what we love so much about our communities. We host community conversations, distribute mini-grants, develop new leaders, renovate houses, publish the Heights Observer, organize the Heights Music Hop, support and promote local businesses, and much more!
Your tax deductible membership donation will help us to:
- Expand and modernize the Heights Observer’s website and social media;
- Partner with Rebuild Cleveland to build new modular homes in Cleveland Heights; and
- Expand our efforts to rehabilitate historic homes in Cleveland Heights.
We all know the Heights is a special place full of walkable neighborhoods and diverse residents; historic homes; unique, eclectic retail districts; leafy parks and green spaces; community-supported public schools and libraries. We are inviting you to become a member and join us in our mission of creating a more vibrant, sustainable community.
Through your membership with FutureHeights, you will have the satisfaction of supporting the organization, get special opportunities to meet with organizational leaders, and receive exclusive invitations to member and donor events.
Details on membership levels for individuals and businesses can be found HERE.
Click here to complete your 2025 membership donation.
Please join us at our spring mixer on Thursday, April 17 from 6-8 pm at CLE Urban Winery where you’ll have a chance to mix and mingle with Heights residents and business owners, hear from our board of directors and staff, and share what issues are most important to you. See Party details below.
Getting Tactical: Improving Road Safety in the Heights
Join FutureHeights for the first Crowdsourced Conversations event of 2025. Improving Road Safety in the Heights will focus on tactical urbanism, short-term, low-cost changes to the built environment to improve neighborhoods. Examples include painted crosswalks or curb bumpouts, plastic bollards to delineate bike lanes, and speed humps and speed tables.
Take the Community Survey HERE
Please RSVP HERE if you are planning to attend the event!
Thursday, April 24th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Noble Road Library, 2800 Noble Road
Speakers from Bike Cleveland, City of Cleveland Heights, City of University Heights
Best of the Heights 2025
Nominations are now closed. Voting opens May 1!
Stay tuned for the finalists reveal!
Finalists will be listed in the May Heights Observer, with a two-week voting window. Voting will close May 15.
We are thrilled to offer an in-person Best of the Heights Awards Ceremony this year! The event will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, at The Fairmount Cocktail Bar, 2448 Fairmount Blvd.
Click here to RSVP. Light refreshments will be served. Cash bar available.
2025 Heights Music Hop
September 19-20-21
Open Call: Artist Applications Now Open!
The 2025 Heights Music Hop, spanning three days, sprawling over four neighborhoods in Cleveland Heights, is searching for performers. Local acts will be prioritized, but all Northeast Ohio performers are welcome to apply.
This annual event is a one-of-a-kind music festival combining great music with great businesses. Presented by FutureHeights Community Development Corporation, our mission is to support local shopping, dining, and music while promoting the Heights as a great place to live, work, own a business or visit. Questions should be directed to [email protected].
Click here to apply before May 9: Heights Music Hop Artist Application
Venue & Sponsor Applications Now Open!
The 2025 Heights Music Hop, spanning three days, sprawling over four neighborhoods in Cleveland Heights, is searching for venues and sponsors. This unique, community-building event is only possible through the support of our generous sponsors! Please address questions to [email protected].
To sign up to be an event venue or sponsor, or to make a donation, fill out the Heights Music Hop Venue/Sponsor Interest Form.
We need YOU!
To volunteer for all aspects of planning and executing the Heights’ signature fall event, fill out our Heights Music Hop Volunteer Interest Form.
For event details, check out the 2025 Heights Music Hop site.
Join our crew of amazing volunteers!
At FutureHeights, volunteers are essential to everything we do. Volunteers allow us to expand our reach in the communities we serve. This month–and every month–we say THANK YOU to all those who support us.
If you have been thinking about volunteering, we have many opportunities currently available, including:
- Distribution of the Heights Observer once a month
- Heights Music Hop Committee
- Annual Benefit Party Committee
- Community-building Committees such as Crowdsourced Conversations
- General Office Tasks
- Social Media and Web Content Creation
Not sure what you would like to do? Reach out to Brenda or Lee at [email protected] or read more HERE.
We ❤️ our volunteers!
Interested in joining the FutureHeights Board of Directors?
Are you filled with ideas and energy for improving your community? Can you give time and talent to make the Heights an even better place to live?
FutureHeights seeks candidates for its board of directors to fill seats as current members’ terms expire. New board members will serve a three-year term. Applicants should be members of Cleveland Heights or University Heights communities. Applicants should have a vested interest in the organization and the communities it serves and have the time and talent to donate to the success of the organization and its programming. Applications can be found at the link below. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted at any time.
Board Service Overview
The board is made up of members of the Cleveland Heights and University Heights communities. Board members come from all walks of life, represent all neighborhoods, and bring their various skills, talents, and interests with them to assist the organization.
Board members participate actively by guiding the organization and its programming, providing staff and event support, friend-raising and fundraising, serving on committees, and more. Serving a large and diverse area, the organization’s board and new members should reflect and represent the diversity of that service area. Consideration will be given to ensure that the experiences, backgrounds, neighborhoods, or skills of new members add to the diversity of the organization at-large.
Board service is a great way to meet new neighbors, to support projects in your own backyard, and to give time and talent back to the communities we love calling home.
Help us elevate the Heights!
Click Here for the Board of Directors Application
WE ARE FUTUREHEIGHTS
Established in 2002, the mission of FutureHeights is to work towards a more sustainable, vibrant future for Cleveland Heights and University Heights through grassroots community engagement and community and economic development. We proudly serve as the community development corporation (CDC) for our two cities.
WE CARE ABOUT YOUR VOICE
Since 2008, we have published and distributed the Heights Observer, a free community newspaper for Cleveland Heights and University Heights. All of our content is free and written by people who live or work in our community. We serve as a community-owned platform for sharing news and opinion and spurring civic engagement.
WE CARE ABOUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We engage the community and encourage them to take action on issues they care about through our Crowdsourced Conversations forum series, Neighborhood Mini-Grants for community improvement projects, and our Neighborhood Leadership Workshop Series aimed at developing new leaders and building leadership skills in the Heights community.
WE CARE ABOUT REVITALIZED HOUSING
We help preserve safe, affordable housing through our FutureHomes revitalization program, which renovates distressed properties in Heights neighborhoods. Since its inception in 2019, FutureHomes has rehabilitated 20 homes in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods, promoting fair housing, ensuring neighborhood stability, and increasing home ownership.
WE CARE ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES
Promoting local businesses supports local jobs, keeps spending dollars in the Heights, and provides important amenities to residents. Current FutureHeights programs that support local businesses include Best of the Heights and the Heights Music Hop.
JOIN FUTUREHEIGHTS
Join FutureHeights as a volunteer, member or donor today. Learn more about volunteering here or make a donation and become a member here or by mailing your donation to FutureHeights, 3 Severance Circle, PO Box 18195, Cleve. Hts. OH 44118.
CONTACT US
FutureHeights
3 Severance Circle, PO Box 18195
Cleveland Heights OH 44118
216/320-1423
