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Longtime Northeast Ohio philanthropist Steven Minter dies at 80

He led the Cleveland Foundation for nearly two decades, greatly expanding its charitable efforts.

CLEVELAND — Steven A. Minter, a local philanthropic leader who led the Cleveland Foundation for nearly two decades, has died at the age of 80.

The foundation confirmed Minter's death Friday, lauding him for "a legacy of inspired leadership & unwavering commitment to [Cleveland]." A cause of death is not immediately known.

Current foundation President and CEO Ronn Richard, Minter's immediate successor, released the following statement:

"There are people you meet in your lifetime who you immediately know were put on this earth to be a powerful, life-changing force for good – Steve Minter was one of those people. Steve started his career as a social worker, and became one of the most respected leaders in Greater Cleveland and in the field of American philanthropy. Optimistic, brilliant, diplomatic and kind, Steve led by bringing out the very best qualities of those around him. For nearly 30 years at the Cleveland Foundation, including two decades as the first African American CEO of a community foundation, Steve deepened our involvement with what he came to call the enduring issues of public education, jobs, housing and health care—the issues that define our work to this very day. His first purpose was to serve the citizens of Cleveland, and the hundreds of people he mentored, many of whom dedicated their lives to public service because of the path he forged for all of us. He was an inspired teacher, and most important, an incredible friend to whom we are deeply saddened to say goodbye. It is exceedingly difficult to lose this man, among the very best we'll meet, but it is heartening to know that he now joins his beloved Dolly. I am certain his example will continue to lift the people and city he loved for decades to come."

Born in Akron in 1938, Minter graduated from Kinsman High School before earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from Baldwin Wallace and Case Western Reserve, respectively. He then embarked on a decade-plus career in public service that culminated in his being named the first United States Under Secretary of Education under President Jimmy Carter.

In 1984, Minter was named the eighth chief executive of the Cleveland Foundation, making him the first African-American in U.S. history to lead a community foundation. Under his guidance, the organization's endowment rose from $282 million to $1.5 billion, and was praised worldwide for its commitments to improving schools, revitalizing neighborhoods, and developing the lakefront, among other accomplishments.

Minter himself receiver the 2003 Distinguished Grantmaker Award from the Council on Foundations and the 1991 Ohio Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education from George Voinovich, whom he had worked with closely at the foundation. Following his retirement in 2003, he continued to serve on the board of various groups and had been an executive in residence at Cleveland State University's Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at the time of his passing.

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson had this to day about Minter:

"The passing of Steven Minter will be felt throughout our entire community. He led the Cleveland Foundation for many years as president and executive director and helped shepherd Cleveland through some difficult times. The City would not be positioned as well as it is today without his leadership. Steven was a tireless public servant and he exhibited a life that was well lived. On behalf of the citizens of Cleveland, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and many friends for their loss."

Minter was proceeded in death two years ago by his wife, Dolly. He is survived by three grown daughters and five grandchildren.

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