Benesch Partner Ira C. Kaplan Recognized Among Crain’s Cleveland Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders

AmLaw 200 law firm Benesch is pleased to announce that Crain’s Cleveland Business has selected Partner Ira C. Kaplan as one of its 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders. The list recognizes individuals whose commitment to the public good inspires and elevates the city, supporting organizations that help the disadvantaged, the incarcerated, the ill and communal causes such as the arts. In addition to his role at Benesch, Ira is involved with numerous nonprofit organizations, including serving as board chair of Mt. Sinai Health Foundation, which supported his nomination.

“Ira is a problem solver who uses his skills to improve the lives of Cleveland’s most vulnerable populations,” said Mt. Sinai Health Foundation Founding President Mitchell Balk.

In his role with the foundation, Ira leads the annual distribution of $8.1 million, among other things, for the health of the urban community, disease research and other community health efforts. Under his leadership as board chair, the foundation raised $13 million for the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, dedicated to reducing the city’s high lead poisoning rate among children and underserved groups.

“No one really enjoys fund-raising, but Ira understands that philanthropy plays an important role in giving Cleveland’s marginalized and low-income populations a chance to live healthy and successful lives,” Mitchell Balk said.

“Ira represents a true beacon of leadership at Benesch and beyond,” said Managing Partner Gregg Eisenberg. “His unwavering commitment to the public good, uplifting the city and supporting diverse causes reflects his true spirit of excellence, and this recognition is well-deserved.”

Ira is the firm’s executive chairman and a former managing partner, and he serves as a member of the firm’s executive committee. His practice focuses on private equity, mergers and acquisitions, as well as public and private debt and equity financings. Ira has been involved in planning for growth companies and helping to position them for growth and liquidity. He also represents private equity, subordinated debt, venture funds and portfolio companies of such funds. Besides his involvement with Mt. Sinai Health Foundation, Ira serves as co-chair of the strategic planning committee for and is a past vice-chair of United Way of Greater Cleveland. He also sits on the board and executive committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and he is a past board chair of both the Cleveland Leadership Center and Engage! Cleveland. Additionally, Ira serves as chair of the Wingspan Care Group and is an executive committee member and a past board chair of both Bellefaire JCB and Menorah Park Center for Senior Living.

According to Crain’s, “Nonprofit board leaders donate their time, money and energy to these organizations. And they do so on top of everything else going on in their lives, including—often—family, full-time jobs and other volunteering duties. But it’s that dedication that makes these leaders stand out. Not only are they making their mark in the corporate world, but they’re also bringing their expertise to organizations of all sizes that help people across a wide spectrum of areas, from civic leadership to education to affordable housing. These 48 honorees demonstrate a commitment to the public good that inspires and elevates. Their philanthropy stands out in a city filled to the brim with people performing good works that make Northeast Ohio a place to treasure.”

View the full list of Crain’s Cleveland’s 2023 Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders here.