As the world’s first community foundation, the Cleveland Foundation has helped establish community foundations in many countries, including Japan, Israel, Syria, and Puerto Rico. Over the past two years, Cleveland Foundation President and CEO Ronn Richard has been working behind the scenes on the next venture: to start a community foundation in Cuba.

Richard’s goal is to ensure that the Cuba Community Trust—as is true with all community foundations—addresses the needs of the local population. He also strongly believes that what he learns from Cuba will greatly benefit Cleveland.

In this interview, Richard speaks candidly about the Cuba Community Trust, his impressions from his two visits to the island nation, and how Cubans view philanthropy.

TAI: How did you become involved in Cuba?

Ronn Richard: Our Cuba strategy is part of a larger strategy to globalize Cleveland. We hired a director of international relations several years ago, and since then we’ve been actively pursuing opportunities in Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Belgium, China, Japan, India, Costa Rica, and Cuba. Our activities range from arts and cultural exchanges to international business attraction.

Cleveland has a rich arts and cultural life—with a world-class museum, a vibrant theater district, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a superb orchestra. But our cultural life has a deficit in Latin American arts and culture, which we’ve been trying to change by establishing close cultural ties with Cuba and other Latin American nations.

A few months ago, Helmo Hernández, president of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba and a top art historian, visited Cleveland and gave a lecture on the history of Cuba as seen through the arts. It was a smash hit! The room was packed and it was a completely nonpolitical event; the audience asked questions about the arts and artists in Cuba.

In April, several Cuban ballerinas will visit Cleveland to lead a dance workshop with our partner—Case Western Reserve University’s Dance Department. We hope to one day bring the entire Cuban national ballet to perform in Cleveland, but that’s going to take some time to materialize.

TAI: What processes and procedures did you have to follow to work in Cuba?

RR: We received a license from the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) to travel and work in Cuba. We’ve also been working with officials in the Cuban government to follow correct procedures. Keep in mind that the Cuba government is currently in transition; Fidel Castro has retired so there are a lot of changes in personnel.

Everything we’re doing is legal and transparent and is on the cultural and educational side. Because of the economic embargo on Cuba (which we hope will be lifted one day), we do not engage in any economic development work.

For grantmakers interested in setting up cultural or philanthropic exchanges in Cuba, I would say—have patience! It takes time to learn how to navigate the system in Cuba. From the U.S. side, traveling to Cuba was not too difficult. The Treasury Department kindly granted our foundation a license soon after we applied.

I would also suggest that grantmakers speak to Cubans to get a sense of how the system works and who can guide you through it. The Cuban officials I’ve spoken to have been very helpful in advancing the Cuba Community Trust idea.

TAI: You’ve visited Cuba twice. What are your impressions—before and after?

RR: I’ve been to 40 countries, but I have to admit that Cuba was by far the most unique, unusual, and fascinating place. It’s a trip in time rather than space. It’s the land where time stood still in some ways.

There are many contrasts. I was struck by the extreme poverty but vibrant cultural life. Cubans are very intellectual and aware of the world—a sharp contrast to my preconceived notion that they are isolated. I was a bit apprehensive before I went because, as an American, I didn’t know how I would be received. But I was struck by their kindness and warm welcome.

TAI: How do Cubans view the term “philanthropy”?

RR: Cuba is behind the curve on “organized” philanthropy like some developed nations as well, such as Japan, because there aren’t many foundations or philanthropic organizations. Philanthropy in Cuba is personal. Cuba is in dire economic shape so Cubans help each other, their families, their friends. Even with the little they have, Cubans have a tradition of sharing.

That’s why we are starting the Cuba Community Trust—the first community foundation for Cuba. We are actively looking for national and international foundations and governments to help us start the endowment for the Cuba Community Trust so that we can engage in very nonpolitical grantmaking to help the Cuban people. We are seeking both financial and intellectual support. I will be putting together a board of directors and I would love foundations to join and be founding partners.

TAI: How do grantmakers get involved?

RR: It’s simple: Call me. I would be happy to fly anywhere to discuss this initiative. I do want to be clear on two points. First, the work of the community foundation for Cuba would focus on the arts, cultural exchanges, education, the environment, etc. There would no economic work at this time because of the embargo.

Second, according to our bylaws, Cleveland Foundation funds have to be spent in the Cleveland area, so we can fund Cubans to come here and give lectures on art history (for example) because it fits with our mission. But we can’t use Cleveland funds to start the Cuba Community Trust and fund work in Cuba unless there are Cleveland based partnerships involved, such as a medical research joint venture between a Cleveland and Cuban medical institute.

TAI: Why is this initiative important to you?

RR: Because I believe that there’s much we can learn from Cuba. For example, Cubans are doing a lot of work around historic building restoration. They are restoring the beautiful colonial architecture in Old Havana. I think we can emulate their unique program and train workers to restore architectural treasures in parts of Cleveland.

In addition, Cuba has a 98 percent literacy rate, second only to Switzerland. We have a literacy problem in Cleveland and the Cleveland Foundation is a huge funder in this area, so we’re learning from Cuba how to increase literacy rates here.

On a personal note, I’ve just joined the board of directors that oversees Ernest Hemingway’s house in Cuba—Finca Vigia. It’s been restored to look exactly as it did when Hemingway lived there. And, all of his personal items are on display there.  Hemingway is viewed as a hero to both Cubans and Americans. This U.S.-Cuban joint venture is a prime example of how our two nations can work together to do positive things for the world.

A note to our readers: To learn more about the Cuba Community Trust, please contact Ronn Richard at the Cleveland Foundation at 216-861-3810. If you’re joining us at the Council’s upcoming 2010 Annual Conference in Denver, you won’t want to miss Helmo Hernández who will be the featured speaker at the International Dinner.