World ORT Will Host Annual Cleveland Awards Brunch
Local business leaders will gather on October 25 to support educational initiatives through the Passport to Innovation event.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy
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World ORT Midwest Region will hold its 54th annual Passport to Innovation awards brunch on October 25, 2026, in Cleveland. The event aims to raise $150,000 to support the organization's international education programs.
Why it matters
The brunch serves as a primary fundraising vehicle for World ORT, which operates global educational services for over 80,000 students. Organizers seek to leverage local professional networks to reach a combined $400,000 in philanthropic contributions.
The brunch carries a $72 individual ticket price and aims to raise $150,000 toward the organization's mission. A follow-up fundraising campaign has a separate target of $250,000.
The players
Barry Feldman
A board member for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Magen David Adom recognized for his local leadership and philanthropic service.
World ORT
An international non-profit organization that provides educational and vocational training to over 80,000 students across five continents.
The details
The event structure includes a coffee bar starting at 9:30 a.m., followed by a panel discussion and breakfast. Barry Feldman, a board member for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Magen David Adom, will be honored with the Maimonides Award for his leadership and service to the community. Proceeds from the ticket sales and the broader campaign fund operations for an organization that currently serves more than 80,000 students across five continents.
Timeline
October 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.: The Passport to Innovation awards brunch begins.
October 25, 2026, at 10 a.m.: The panel discussion commences.
Market Landscape
This event continues the annual fundraising cycle established by the 53rd annual Passport to Innovation awards brunch. It reflects a standard industry practice of using public recognition ceremonies to drive regional philanthropic engagement.
Operators looking to benchmark their own corporate social responsibility goals may note the organization's use of tiered fundraising targets for both the event and the follow-up campaign. Attendees should account for the $72 entry cost when managing professional development and networking budgets.
The takeaway
Large-scale fundraising events often rely on a dual-track strategy to maximize intake from both ticketed attendees and subsequent campaign donors. Monitoring the success of these recurring events can provide insights into the current liquidity and engagement levels of the local donor base.
Further reading
For more on how local organizations structure their annual support efforts, visit Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland Jewish News.
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