In July 2005, while people were prepping their barbeques for Independence Day, Larry Soper, enslaved by drug and alcohol addiction, was planning his suicide. "I Googled the least painful ways," he said. "There were chat rooms even. It was a very dark place." For years, the life of the former standout student, author and sports columnist from North Canton had been … [Read more...]
Millennium Fund for Children tops $500,000 in grants to area youth programs
Akron Community Foundation’s Millennium Fund for Children is celebrating $500,000 in grants to children’s programs throughout Summit, Portage and Medina counties. The fund’s grants committee recently approved 26 grants totaling $41,935 to arts, education and health programs, bringing the cumulative grant-making total to $538,844. Akron Community Foundation’s board of directors … [Read more...]
Akron Community Foundation seeks grant applications for education programs
The board of Akron Community Foundation is accepting applications for its education and early learning grant cycle. Grant priority will be given to programs that focus on early learning, preparing children from birth to age 5 for success, and also programs that support youth and adult learning through targeted interventions, advanced enrichment opportunities, and vocational … [Read more...]
12th annual Sugar Plum holiday home tour set for Dec. 8
Tour proceeds to benefit 2014 Gay Games in Akron, Cleveland Some of the area's finest historic and contemporary homes will open their doors Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. for the 12th annual Sugar Plum Tour. The tour, which is the signature fundraiser of the Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation, will feature five exquisitely decorated homes in … [Read more...]
Akron Community Foundation awards $1.65 million in grants
More than $400,000 will support countywide and neighborhood-based civic programs Akron Community Foundation’s board recently ratified $1.65 million in grants, including 271 grants totaling $1,207,995 from donor-advised and scholarship funds. The board also approved 27 grants totaling $445,500 for local civic programs from discretionary, or board-directed, funds. More than … [Read more...]
Medina County Community Fund awards $27,000 to local nonprofits
The Medina County Community Fund, a permanent philanthropic endowment of Akron Community Foundation, issued 14 grants totaling $27,000 to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that improve the lives of all Medina County residents. Since its inception in 1993, the fund has awarded 163 grants totaling $405,558 to organizations with programs benefiting Medina County … [Read more...]
Medina County Women’s Endowment Fund awards 2013 grants
Funding supports mental, physical health programs for women, children The Medina County Women’s Endowment Fund, a permanent philanthropic endowment of Akron Community Foundation, announced its 2013 grant distributions Friday. Grants totaling $9,100 were awarded to six qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving women and children in Medina County. Since its … [Read more...]
Akron Community Foundation awards nearly 270 grants totaling $1.46 million
Arts & Culture grants bring dance, theater events to community On Friday, June 7, Akron Community Foundation’s board of directors approved more than $1.46 million in grants, including 238 grants totaling $1,019,165 from designated, donor-advised, agency endowment and scholarship funds, and 30 arts and culture grants totaling $443,500 from discretionary, or board-directed, … [Read more...]
Neighborhood Partnership Program awards crants to community-based initiatives
The City of Akron and Akron Community Foundation announced matching grants totaling $219,461 to 56 community-based programs through the Neighborhood Partnership Program. Now in its 17th year, the Neighborhood Partnership Program is a collaboration between the City of Akron and Akron Community Foundation that provides grants to small, neighborhood-based organizations … [Read more...]
Medzie, Burt Join Akron Community Foundation
Akron Community Foundation recently welcomed two new employees to the organization. Margaret Medzie of Ravenna became vice president of development and donor engagement, and Tracy Burt of Stow joined the team as director of marketing. Medzie has nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and private sectors, most recently as the executive director of the American Red … [Read more...]