Engaged Citizens. Innovative Ideas.

Join FutureHeights for our next crowdsourced conversation, “Another Look: Severance Town Center”

RSVP for the second Crowdsourced Conversations event of 2025, to be held Wed. June 25th from 6:30-8 pm at the Lee Road Library. Another Look: Severance Town Center is a follow-up to the Crowdsourced Conversation about Severance that was held in November 2024 (more information here). The developer, MPact Collective, has made substantial progress in developing a site plan and launching a website to gather community ideas (weigh in at www.severanceclevelandheights.com). Now, it’s time to hear an update about that progress, garner community feedback, and generate more thoughtful discussion about what YOU want to see at Severance. The developer intends to begin rezoning and redevelopment of the property in 2025 and 2026, so it’s important for us to have community input now. Please sign up using this form if you plan to attend the event.

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.

Best of the Heights 2025

Voting is now open! Choose your favorites among the nominated businesses in 26 categories.

Click here to vote now!

Finalists are also listed on a paper ballot in the May Heights Observer. Voting closes 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 FutureHeights Annual Benefit

Elevate the Heights

Saturday, July 19, 6-10 pm

The Heights Theater

2781 Euclid Heights Boulevard

Tickets on Sale NOW!

To learn more about sponsorships and ticket options, please click HERE.

To purchase individual tickets or a sponsorship package, please click HERE.

Live music by Opus 216, and A.J. and the Woods

Food provided by the Fairmount Cocktail Bar, and Luna Bakery & Cafe

For complete event information, visit the 2025 Annual Benefit event page.

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.

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.