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Investing in the Future of Summit County Students

Akron Community Foundation partners with local schools, education leaders, nonprofit innovators, parents and community members to identify the best opportunities for investing in our children's future.

Focusing on programs that align with Summit Education Initiative's Cradle to Career continuum, our board awards grants to programs that concentrate on key transition points in a student's education, including kindergarten readiness, third grade reading, eighth grade math, and college and career readiness.

In addition, we focus a portion of our funding specifically on early learning programs that prepare children from birth to age 5 to succeed. First Things First, a community coalition that formed in 2009 as a result of our early learning priority, has set the tone for that funding, encouraging a holistic approach to learning through collaboration.

Education Grants

Decades of Strategic Funding

Since 2000, Akron Community Foundation has invested $11.2 million in Education initiatives. See a history of our grants.

Nonprofits interested in applying for a grant can review deadlines and other important information on our Competitive Grants page.

Our funding supports:
Kindergarten prep

Early learning and kindergarten readiness, including funding for Project GRAD's Bridge to Kindergarten program

Reading programs

Literacy initiatives like the First Book of Greater Akron free children's book program, and adult literacy and GED programs at Project LEARN of Summit County

Vocational training

Vocational and continuing education programs, like employment training for residents with developmental disabilities at Hattie Larlham

Enrichment activities

After-school and summer programming for underserved youth, including funding for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve

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