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In 2018, Akron Community Foundation announced the creation of a new grant cycle devoted to capital improvements. The community foundation offers grants every other year to nonprofits that need funding to renovate or repair their buildings or property, or to purchase equipment essential to the organization's ability to deliver quality programming to its clients.

Capital grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are available to current recipients of the foundation's competitive grant cycles, as well as to organizations with agency endowment funds at Akron Community Foundation. Priority is given to projects that reinforce the foundation's strategic priorities in arts and culture, civic affairs, health and human services, education, and priorities identified through our 2023 Community Needs Assessment.

Other funding priorities include:

  • Projects that address safety issues for organization staff or individuals served
  • Projects that serve individuals and communities of color who have faced historic inequalities and lack of access to funding
  • Projects that incorporate green building and sustainable development practices
  • Projects with evidence of community involvement in setting project priorities

Since 2018, Akron Community Foundation has invested $550,000 into capital improvements for our community's nonprofits.

2024 Grant Cycle

Applications for the next round of capital grants will be accepted beginning May 1, 2024, and must be submitted by June 1, 2024. Awards will be announced in late September 2024. Capital grants are limited to construction, expansion, upgrades or renovations. It is strongly recommended that at least 50% of the funds needed for the project are secured before applying. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with capital projects that benefit Summit County residents are qualified to apply. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the grant information sheet.

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Capital Grant History

In 2022, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $300,000 to 41 nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Blind Center, for safety and wellness improvements to the building and property, including driveway leveling, roof repair and the installation of audible emergency evacuation equipment, $5,000
  • Akron Children's Museum, to support phase two of the Capital Expansion Campaign, $10,000
  • Akron Marathon, for safety, security, and technology updates, $5,000
  • Akron Parks Collaborative, to support the creation and installation of the Firestone Park splash pad, $5,000
  • Akron Urban League, to support the creation of learning and meeting spaces, $5,000
  • Asian Services In Action, to support culturally and linguistically appropriate dental health services among Akron's immigrant and refugee population, $7,500
  • AxessPointe Community Health Centers, to support the creation of a new health center in West Akron, $7,500
  • Battered Women's Shelter, for enhanced safety and security of its building, $5,000
  • The Blick Center, for an accessible redesign of the building's entryway, $5,000
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support a three-year capital equipment improvements program, $10,000
  • Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture (CATAC), for investment in equipment upgrades that improve community outreach, experience and accessibility, $5,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to support the purchase of a medium duty box truck, $5,000
  • Crown Point Ecology Center, for the purchase of a tractor, essential for growing field food crops and maintaining a prairie habitat, $5,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, to support improved ADA accessibility for passengers with mobility limitations, $5,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County, to renovate one of Survive to Thrive's first homes, $7,500
  • Freedom House for Women, for New Journey Recovery Housing basement waterproofing, $7,500
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, for the construction of state-of-the-art STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Ledgewood, which will provide hands-on learning for students during day and overnight programs, $7,500
  • Grace House Akron, to support the completion of construction on Grace House, $10,000
  • Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, for a garage addition that will ensure ample space for vehicles and equipment, $7,500
  • Harmony House, for construction of an emergency youth shelter, $7,500
  • Keep Akron Beautiful, to replace a dump truck that will support the removal of litter in Akron, $5,000
  • Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, to create an office and small business resource space for Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance at 1028 Kenmore Boulevard, $10,000
  • Let's Grow Akron Inc., for a walk-in cooler and outdoor kitchen area that will allow the storage of produce before transporting to local food pantries, farmer's markets and community meals, $7,500
  • The Nightlight Cinema, to support the expansion of the cinema in downtown Akron, $10,000
  • none too fragile, to improve the safety and handicap accessibility of the theatre, $7,500
  • North Hill Community Development Corporation, to support upgrades to People's Park, including concrete repairs, lighting upgrades and deck renovations, $5,000
  • Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to support the Akron Civic Commons 2.0 Summit Lake Park Project, which will provide accessible, equitable and welcoming parks, trails and open spaces along the towpath, $7,500
  • OPEN M, to support critical safety enhancements at the organization's office and warehouse facility, $10,000
  • The Peninsula Foundation, to support an ADA accessible addition to G.A.R. Hall, including a pre-event space and two accessible restrooms, $10,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to purchase more inclusive, extended weight exam tables and chairs, and other essential medical equipment at the Akron health center, $10,000
  • Regina Health Center, to support the creation of a safe outdoor gathering space for senior residents to enjoy family visits, spiritual and educational programming and enrichment programs, $7,500
  • The Salvation Army of Summit County, to replace buses for the Learning Zone preschool, enabling the organization to provide safe transportation of students, $10,000
  • Shelter Care Inc., for creation of a multipurpose room that will be used for family and group counseling sessions, psycho-educational group activities, team meetings and trainings, $10,000
  • South Street Ministries, for the renovation of Restoration House, which will offer emergency and transitional reentry housing for women, $10,000
  • SWAG, for the purchase of a replacement van, which provides transportation to students during the academic year and summer programming, $5,000
  • Truly Reaching You, for phase 2 and 3 renovations to South Street warehouse, an employment training/workforce education hub, $15,000
  • Twinsburg Historical Society, to maintain the integrity of the museum and adjacent parking lot, $2,500
  • Urban Vision, to support installation of new and updated HVAC systems throughout the facility, $7,500
  • Victim Assistance Program, to upgrade outdated technology for victim advocates, $7,500
  • The Well CDC, for walk-in cold storage at the Akron Food Works kitchen that will serve current members, attract new members and provide additional options for product distribution, $5,000
  • YEPAW, to restore drumline, photography and computer equipment, $5,000

In 2018, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $250,000 to 27 nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the capital campaign to renovate the theater and create an additional performance venue, $25,000
  • Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, for a permanent office facility and warehouse, $7,600
  • Akron SCORE, to purchase new conference room equipment and computers, $3,600
  • Asian Services in Action, to renovate a new community room that will host language and citizenship classes and other large group gatherings, $20,000
  • The Blick Center, to improve accessibility to the building by widening and automating the doors in the main entryway and restroom, $5,000
  • Bounce Innovation Hub, to support first-floor renovations for The Generator, a public innovation hub that will feature coworking space, a makerspace and the University of Akron's eSports lab, $15,000
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to purchase kitchen equipment for the Urbean Cafe, a workforce development program for formerly incarcerated residents, $5,000
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association, to create a respite space for child advocate volunteers, $5,500
  • Crown Point Ecology Center, to support greenhouse renovations and the creation of a new honey extraction facility for local beekeepers, $5,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, to convert a train car into an "Edu-Trainment Car" that will host interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and educational programs for area children, $10,000
  • East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, to construct a new storage facility, $10,000
  • Easter Seals of Northeast Ohio, to purchase an adaptive vehicle to transport clients to the Adult Day Center and to create a sensory room for adults with disabilities, $5,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County, to secure a new transitional housing building for families facing homelessness, $10,000
  • Freedom House for Women, for external building improvements to the New Journey Recovery Housing for women, $6,200
  • Good Neighbors, for internal building improvements, including new refrigeration equipment and energy-efficient lights for the food pantry, $4,600
  • Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, for improvements to the Romig Road campus, including loading dock repairs and parking lot resurfacing, $10,000
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, for roof replacements at two supportive housing locations, $10,000
  • Legacy III, to renovate the agency's new administrative building, including electrical and plumbing upgrades and roof repairs, $10,000
  • OPEN M, for food pantry improvements, including energy-efficient lighting and new doors and flooring for the walk-in freezer and cooler, $5,000
  • Portage Path Behavioral Health, for repairs to the Akron outpatient clinic, including masonry work, weather sealing and painting, $5,000
  • Stark State College, for the construction of a commercial driver's license training facility, $20,000
  • Summit County Historical Society, to improve accessibility at the John Brown House for people with disabilities, $10,000
  • Summit Metro Parks Foundation, to convert a historic barn into a welcome center at the new Valley View park, $10,000
  • Truly Reaching You, to renovate the agency's new employment training facility on East South Street, $12,500
  • VANTAGE Aging, for capital improvements to the behavioral health center on Romig Road, $10,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, for construction and relocation costs to combine the agency's service providers and administrative staff under one roof, $7,500
  • Weathervane Community Playhouse, to replace wireless microphones for theatrical productions, $2,500
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