Community West Foundation Staff Spotlight: Peter Schindler

Peter Schindler joined Community West Foundation in 2000 and has served as the Senior Program Officer since 2010. In that time, he has worked with the foundation’s Board of Directors to facilitate making over $100 million in grants to community non-profits that provide services to the disenfranchised members of our community. “Having the opportunity to interact closely with the leadership of the non-profits that Community West supports is probably the most enjoyable part of my role,” commented Peter. “They are the ones on the front lines helping people in need.”

Peter grew up in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood of Cleveland and attended St. Ignatius High School. His college education includes coursework at NYU, Antioch College and CSU earning bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Religious Studies. Prior to joining Community West Foundation, Peter worked for the City of Cleveland Civil Service Commission.

Peter’s expertise lies in knowing the service provider landscape in Greater Cleveland based on his 20+ years of forming relationships with the non-profits Community West supports. This deep knowledge of each grantee helps Community West and its Board of Directors make educated decisions when it comes to giving grants. “I’ll never forget the first time I visited the homeless camps near downtown. It was emotional,” Peter reflected. “I get to experience first-hand the positive effect the non-profits we support have on people’s lives. It’s truly remarkable.”

Peter currently represents Community West Foundation on the Greater Cleveland Rapid Response Fund Phase II Workgroup managed by The Cleveland Foundation as well as the Homeless Services Taskforce. He also serves on the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services Advisory Board and the United Way Grant Review Committee. Peter was also recently asked to join the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition and is slated to present at the Philanthropy Ohio conference being held in October.

Peter and his partner of 31 years, Patrick Graf, reside in Westlake. Together they manage Schindler-Graf Book Sellers, an online book business that specializes in esoteric and hard-to-find books. Peter enjoys major films, classical music and traveling, especially to New York City, Los Angeles and Amsterdam.

For more information, contact Community West Foundation at 440-360-7370 or visit CommunityWestFoundation.org.