SHEro campaign supports local COVID-19 relief

The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation announced its annual "Who Is Your SHEro?" campaign will run through April 30, with a goal to raise $45,000 to aid nonprofits during this unprecedented time.  

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's campaign will support Akron Community Foundation's Community Response Fund for Nonprofits to rapidly provide flexible resources to area nonprofit organizations working on the frontlines of educating, engaging, and supporting individuals impacted by this health crisis, including women and girls. 

The Community Response Fund for Nonprofits will distribute grants to local organizations that provide for basic needs, such as medical assistance and shelter, as well as provide emergency operating support to agencies that cover education, arts & culture, civic, health & human services, and women and girls programs. While the fund is not able to provide grants to individuals, it is funding community-based organizations that have the experience and history of providing services and support to local citizens. 

Community members are encouraged to make fully tax-deductible tribute or memorial gifts in honor of their SHEroes – the women who have made a significant impact on them as a mother, sister, friend or mentor. In turn, those honored can receive a SHEro card letting them know a gift was made in their name, but not the amount.  

"The Women's Endowment Fund made a critical decision to shift this year's ‘Who Is Your SHEro?' campaign's funding priorities to focus on our community's (and the world's) biggest problem right now – the COVID-19 pandemic," said Wendy Bolas, SHEro campaign co-chair. "We're fortunate to be able to provide essential support to nonprofits through this campaign at such an urgent time."

In 2019, the SHEro campaign raised more than $30,000 for the Women's Endowment Fund with the help of 36 SHEro ambassadors. This year, campaign organizers aim to reach $45,000 by again using a team of SHEro ambassadors, each of whom has committed to raise at least $1,000 through their personal and professional networks. To read more about these ambassadors and track their fundraising progress, visit www.YourShero.com.  

If you're interested in becoming a SHEro ambassador to help fundraise for this year's "Who Is Your SHEro?" campaign, contact Arielle Steffen at asteffen@akroncf.org.  

There are three easy ways to celebrate your SHEroes:  

Donate online at YourShero.com.    
Call Akron Community Foundation at 330-376-8522.  
Donate by texting SHERO to 71777.  

SHEro ambassadors will be spotlighted on The Women's Endowment Fund's social media pages (Facebook: @womensendowment / Twitter: @AkronCFwef) and community members are encouraged to post about their own SHEroes with the hashtag #AkronSHEro. 

Major sponsors of the SHEro campaign include The J.M. Smucker Company, GOJO, Leppo Rents and FirstEnergy Foundation.