Skip to main content
Horizontal Rule

Since it was founded, the Women's Endowment Fund has invested $2.1 million into causes that inspire, empower, and educate women and girls throughout Summit County.

View the complete history of grants below or learn how to apply.

In 2023, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $175,000 to 31 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to provide safe shelter, food, clothing and hygiene items for women and children who are experiencing homelessness, $10,000
  • Alchemy Inc., to establish a group mentoring program at the I Promise School that uses myths and storytelling to help girls understand their personal obstacles and aspirations, $2,500
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide protective shelter services for women and children who have been impacted by domestic violence, $10,000
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to support a nutrition education program for pregnant women in Akron, $5,000
  • Community Legal Aid, to provide emergency legal services for low-income women who have experienced domestic violence, $10,000
  • Dreams Academy International, to support Queens Academy, an eight-week mentoring program that enhances the self-esteem and mental health of African American girls ages 12-15, $2,500
  • Empower Her Network, to help women who have experienced trafficking reach financial independence by removing housing barriers and offering financial education and career guidance, $6,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County, to support the health and economic empowerment of single mothers without housing through tailored case management services, transportation and child care assistance, and job preparation support, $5,000
  • First Glance Student Center, to empower young mothers in the Kenmore community to overcome generational poverty and trauma through mentoring and education programs, $2,000
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, to support the Girl Scout Journey Program, an after-school program that educates girls in Akron Public Schools on topics like STEM, financial literacy and healthy living, $6,500
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a running-based program for girls in Summit County that combines physical activity with discussions about self-confidence, stress management and healthy relationships, $10,000
  • Grace House Akron, to provide personal care items, clothing and pet supplies for terminally ill women, $2,500
  • Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, to support a homeownership education program for women with courses on safety, gardening, home maintenance and budgeting, $2,500
  • IBH Addiction Recovery, to support Summit County women recovering from substance use disorder through the residential treatment program, $2,500
  • International Soap Box Derby, to support a workshop that exposes Summit County girls in fifth through eighth grade to career opportunities in STEM fields and entrepreneurship, $5,000
  • Legacy III, to support the Pathways to Freedom program, which provides transitional and rapid rehousing services for women experiencing homelessness while recovering from substance use disorders, mental health conditions or physical disabilities, $7,500
  • Limitless Ambition, to support the Purposely Chosen Teen Enrichment Program, which will equip teen girls at Jennings CLC and North High School with tools to become leaders, discover their passions, and resolve conflict, $5,000
  • North Hill Community Development Corporation, to support women-owned businesses in North Hill through individualized marketing strategy development, $5,000
  • OPEN M, to support a child care expense fund for head-of-household mothers of color who are working to achieve sustainable employment, $5,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to support a comprehensive, LGBTQ-inclusive sexual health education program for middle and high school students in Summit County, $10,000
  • Project Ujima, to support Queen's Village Akron, a supportive community for Black women to empower themselves and each other, $7,500
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support 24/7 crisis intervention services for women and girls impacted by sexual violence or abuse, $10,000
  • Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio, to support She Builds, a home repair training program that empowers women to maintain safe and healthy homes, $5,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to provide support and wellness programs for Summit County women impacted by cancer, $2,500
  • Summa Health, to improve patient-provider communication by expanding interpretation services for limited-English speaking patients seeking treatment at the Women's Health Center, $5,000
  • Summit Artspace, to provide entrepreneurship coaching for women artists in Summit County who are seeking to establish or grow an arts business, $5,000
  • United Way of Summit & Medina, to support the Financial Empowerment Center, which provides free financial coaching and tax services for low- to moderate-income women, $3,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to provide wellness services for older women who have low incomes but are not eligible for Medicaid, allowing them to remain in their homes as they age, $7,500
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide trauma-informed advocacy services for women and families impacted by violence, including safety planning, needs assessments, resource referrals and more, $7,500
  • Victory Gallop, to support an equine therapy program for adolescent girls with behavioral challenges or life-threatening illnesses, $2,500
  • The Well CDC, to provide financial empowerment and career development classes for women in the Middlebury community, $5,000

In 2022, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $204,000 to 34 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., for the Women & Children in Crisis Program, which provides holistic services for women and children in the shelter, including clothing and hygiene materials, life skills training, and physical and mental health support, $10,000
  • Akron Municipal Court, to purchase self-help and nonfiction books for Peace of Mind, a probation program for female offenders, $2,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide protective shelter services for victims of domestic violence and their children, $13,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, for SMART Girls, which provides health, fitness and self-esteem programs for girls in Summit County, $5,000
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association, to provide sexual development education and period supplies for girls in the foster care system, $2,000
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to support nurses with education, mental health and wellness resources to best care for trauma victims, $6,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to provide emergency legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence and stalking, $10,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to support equitable access to healthy foods and community spaces for Summit County WIC recipients, $9,000
  • First Glance Student Center, to support The Connect, an educational program for young moms and their families, $2,000
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, to provide after-school educational opportunities for girls in Akron Public Schools, $6,500
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support the physical, social and emotional well-being of girls in Summit County through running, $10,000
  • Global Ties Akron, working with Shanti Community Farms and the Himalayan Arts, Language and Cultural Academy, provide handicraft workshops and teach entrepreneurial skills to women and girls from refugee and immigrant communities in Akron, $7,500
  • Grace House Akron, to provide sleepwear, personal care and hygiene items to terminally ill women, $2,545
  • Greater Akron Hindu Sewa Samittee, to provide training to women with sewing skills for increased economic opportunities, $5,000
  • Gum-Dip Theatre, to support a theater workshop for girls in North Hill, $5,000
  • HFLA of Northeast Ohio, to provide interest-free loans to individuals without access to fair financial resources, $2,500
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, to provide life skills programming and recovery coaching for previously homeless mothers recovering from addiction, $5,000
  • International Soap Box Derby, for Girls Racing to STEM Careers, a program for 80 girls in grades 5-8 to explore Derby Downs and engage in unique STEM activities, $5,000
  • Limitless Ambition, to empower girls at Jennings Middle School and North High School to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, $5,000
  • North Hill Community Development Corporation, for the creation of immigrant women-owned cooperatives at the Maker House, $7,500
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to support a comprehensive, evidence-based and LGBTQ-inclusive sexual health education curriculum for students in Summit County, $10,000
  • Proyecto RAICES, to support Hispanic women through business development trainings that help them market traditional foods, $5,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support crisis intervention services for women impacted by sexual violence, $10,000
  • Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio, to support She Builds 2022, which provides repairs on women-headed households and women-focused community spaces, $7,500
  • RePlay for Kids, to promote an interest in STEM careers for female students through toy adaptation workshops, $1,955
  • Springfield Local School District, to implement the Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) empowerment program, which equips girls to navigate the challenges they face during adolescence, $5,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to provide wellness services to women experiencing cancer, $2,500
  • Stow-Munroe Falls City School District, to implement the Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) empowerment program, which equips girls to navigate the challenges they face during adolescence, $4,000
  • United Way of Summit & Medina, to provide no-cost financial services to women through the Akron Financial Empowerment Center, $5,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, for the Home Wellness Solutions Program, which provides services to help older low-income women not eligible for Medicaid to remain in their own homes and age in place through evidence-based assessments and prevention programming, $7,500
  • Victim Assistance Program, to support crisis intervention and advocacy for survivors of crime and trauma, $7,500
  • Victory Gallop, to support an equine therapy program for adolescent girls with behavioral challenges or life-threatening illnesses, $2,500
  • The Well Community Development Corporation, to remove the barriers to economic mobility for women, $10,000
  • Women's Network Inc., for the creation of a Greater Akron women-owned business list to enable visibility, support and outreach, $5,000

In 2021, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $197,000 to 30 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., for the Women and Children in Crisis Program, designed to address the homelessness crisis holistically, $10,000
  • Akron Urban League, to provide baskets of essential items to new and expectant Black mothers, $1,000
  • Asian Services In Action Inc. (ASIA), to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information and social services to immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking, $5,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support protective shelter services for victims of domestic violence and their children, $12,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, to support SMART Girls, a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program that enables adolescent girls in Summit County to develop to their full potential, $5,000
  • Caring for Kids, to provide support services to birth mothers who have made a voluntary private adoption plan, $4,500
  • Child Guidance & Family Solutions, to support the Infant Vitality program, providing support services for at-risk expectant and new mothers in Summit County, $3,500
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to support staff training, continued education, and patient needs at the PATH Center, Akron's only sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) facility, $10,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services Inc., to support the provision of emergency legal services to low-income victims of domestic violence and stalking, $10,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to expand food access and nutrition education programming for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program participants, $9,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County Inc., to support homeless single mothers and families in West Akron, $10,000
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., to support The Connect program, providing weekly meals, counseling and parenting education for young moms and their families, $2,500
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, to support the Girl Scout Journey Program, a 20-week after-school leadership program covering topics such as STEM, financial literacy, and healthy living, $6,500
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support the physical, social and emotional well-being of girls in Summit County, $10,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to provide low-income immigrant women and children trauma survivors with social services, employment services, education, and legal representation, $2,500
  • Kent State University Foundation Inc., to support trauma intervention services for at-risk expectant and postpartum Black and biracial mothers in Summit County, $9,000
  • Legacy III Inc., to support the Pathways to Freedom program, providing transitional housing to homeless women recovering from addiction and mental health disorders, $7,500
  • Limitless Ambition, to support the Purposely Chosen Teen Enrichment Program to empower teen girls in Summit County to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, $5,000
  • North Hill Community Development Corporation, to address gender, racial and cultural disparities through cohorts and programming at the Market House, an intersectional women's empowerment center, $10,000
  • OhioGuidestone, to provide support services and therapy to Summit County mothers facing maternal depression, $2,500
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to support comprehensive and LGBTQ+-inclusive sex education curriculum for students in Summit County, $10,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support 24/7 crisis services for women impacted by sexual violence, $9,000
  • RAHAB Ministries Inc., to provide outreach and support services for survivors of human trafficking, $5,000
  • Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio, to support the She Builds program, a 2021 partnership with ACCESS Inc. to provide home repairs and women-centric community spaces, $7,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, for wigs and beauty services for women on a cancer journey, $2,500
  • Summa Health, to support the Personalized Breast Cancer Therapy Program, $10,000
  • United Way of Summit & Medina, to support the Akron Financial Empowerment Center in providing free financial services to women in Summit County, $2,500
  • Victim Assistance Program Inc., for 24-hour crisis intervention services for victims of crime and trauma, $7,500
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to support equine-assisted therapy for girls with social, emotional or behavioral needs, $2,500
  • Well Community Development Corporation, to support the Mothers in Motion cohort, assisting mothers in securing and maintaining livable wage careers, $5,000

In 2020, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $200,004 to 31 nonprofit organizations:

  • Access Inc., for the Women and Children in Crisis Program, designed to address the homelessness crisis holistically, $10,000
  • Akron Children's Museum, to support S.T.E.A.M. Team Saturday sessions, offering team-based design activities for middle school girls to explore engineering in a fun, hands-on environment, $2,650
  • Akron Municipal Court, to purchase workbooks for the Peace of Mind Probation Program, to uncover and treat mental health issues in previously incarcerated women, $1,854
  • Akron Zoological Park, to support the Girls in STEM Program, a specialized after-school program that connects girls with female role models working in STEM fields, $2,500
  • Alchemy Inc., to support its in-school group mentoring program, which uses storytelling and mythology to empower girls in Akron Public Schools, $6,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support protective shelter services for victims of domestic violence and their children, $10,000
  • Birthing Beautiful Communities, to address and improve the systemic and community structures that lead to poor birth outcomes, $10,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, to support SMART Girls, a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program that enables adolescent girls in Summit County to develop to their full potential, $5,000
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support Lydia's Home Recovery Program for women struggling with drug addiction, $2,000
  • Building for Tomorrow, to support the Reach Opportunity Center at Summit Lake, providing education, training, support and resources for impoverished families, $5,000
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to support the Centering Pregnancy nutrition program, offering educational sessions about healthy eating habits for positive pregnancy outcomes, $7,500
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to expand food access and nutrition education programming for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program participants, $7,500
  • Family Promise of Summit County Inc., to support the renovation of the Glendora House, a community shelter for homeless single mothers and families in West Akron, $10,000
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., to support The Connect program, providing weekly meals, counseling and parenting education for young moms and their families, $5,000
  • First Tee of Akron, to improve local girls' health and wellness through golf-based youth development programming, $5,000
  • Freedom House for Women Inc., to provide supportive services and recovery housing to women in Summit County, $5,000
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, to support the Girl Scout Journey Program, a 20-week after-school leadership program covering topics such as STEM, financial literacy, and healthy living, $5,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to expand the organization's physical activity-based youth development programs in more of Akron's elementary schools, $10,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to provide low-income immigrant women and children trauma survivors with social services, employment services, education, and legal representation, $10,000
  • Kent State University Foundation Inc., to deliver trauma intervention services for at-risk expectant and postpartum mothers in Summit County, $10,000
  • Legacy III Inc., to support the Women's Empowerment Program, providing transitional housing to homeless women recovering from addiction and mental health disorders, $7,500
  • North Hill Community Development Corporation, to address gender, racial and cultural disparities through the launch of Market House, an intersectional women's empowerment center, $10,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to support Get Real!, a sex education curriculum for students in Summit County, $10,000
  • Project Ujima, to support the Zalika Gathering Home, a respite and simulation home for at-risk expectant and postpartum mothers, $10,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support 24/7 crisis services for women impacted by sexual violence, $9,000
  • Ruling Our eXperiences, to support the ROX program, teaching girls how to navigate challenges faced during adolescence, $3,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, for wigs and beauty services for women on a cancer journey, $2,500
  • Summa Health System, to support the expansion of the Mommy Care-Group Care initiative, which offers support groups and educational services for new mothers, $5,000
  • Victim Assistance Program Inc., for 24-hour crisis intervention services for victims of crime and trauma, $5,000
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to support equine-assisted therapy for girls with social, emotional or behavioral needs, $2,500
  • Women's Network Inc., to create new, local programming in conjunction with gender equity and inclusion efforts, $5,000

In 2019, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $180,000 to 25 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., for the Women and Children in Crisis Program, designed to address the homelessness crisis holistically, $10,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to offer education, support groups and therapeutic cooking and nutrition classes for young women who suffer from eating disorders, $5,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support protective shelter services for victims of domestic violence and their children, $10,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, to provide summer program scholarships for at-risk girls in Summit County, $5,000
  • Building for Tomorrow, to support the Reach Opportunity Center at Summit Lake, providing education, training, support and resources for impoverished families, $5,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to expand food access and nutrition education programming for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants, $5,000
  • Economic and Community Development Institute, to support Akron outreach of the Women's Business Center of Northern Ohio, $10,000
  • Family and Community Services of Portage County Inc., to provide creative arts therapeutic services for homeless female veterans in Summit County, $10,000
  • First Tee of Akron, to improve local girls' health and wellness through golf-based youth development programming, $5,000
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, to support the Girl Scout Journey Program, a 20-week after-school leadership skills program for underserved girls, $5,000
  • Hattie Larlham Foundation, to support career readiness preparation for women with developmental disabilities, $2,000
  • Interval Brotherhood Home (IBH), to support the REACH Project by providing job readiness training for women in IBH's residential treatment program who are seeking employment, $5,000
  • Kent State University Foundation Inc., to support the SOS Sister Circles program, a stress intervention program for expectant and postpartum African-American mothers, $15,000
  • Legacy III Inc., to support the Women's Empowerment Program, providing transitional housing to homeless women recovering from addiction and mental health disorders, $7,500
  • OPEN M, to support the Community Works Connection program, assisting women in poverty to become economically self-sufficient, $7,500
  • Our Lady of the Elms School, to support STEM programming and provide robotics equipment, $5,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to support Get Real!, a sex education curriculum for students in Summit County, $10,000
  • Project Ujima, to provide centering circles for pregnant and new mothers in an effort to help reduce infant mortality in Akron's 44307 and 44320 zip codes, $15,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support the Heroes 4 Hope dating and sexual violence program, providing teens with activity-rich education about healthy relationships, $8,000
  • South Street Ministries, for the South Street Women's Reentry program, offering returning and incarcerated women a second chance at leading productive lives, $1,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, for wigs and beauty services for women on a cancer journey, $2,500
  • Summa Health System, to support the launch of the Mommy Care-Group Care initiative, which offers support groups and educational services for new mothers, $7,500
  • Summit Artspace, to support the Artist as an Entrepreneur program, providing female artists with core business skills and resources for successful professional careers, $5,000
  • Victim Assistance Program Inc., for 24-hour crisis intervention services for victims of crime and trauma, $7,500
  • Women's Network Inc., to complete the Gender Equity & Women's Leadership Study, providing the community with a baseline for equity and inclusion efforts, $11,500

In 2018, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $178,000 to 22 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to support arts-based mental health programs for homeless youth, $10,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support protective shelter services for victims of domestic violence and their children, $10,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, for the SMART Girls program, which equips girls to make healthy lifestyle choices and builds their self-esteem, $5,000
  • Building for Tomorrow, to support the Reach Opportunity Center, which helps families in the Summit Lake neighborhood rise above poverty by providing job readiness programs for women and preparing young children for kindergarten, $10,000
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to provide neighborhood-based perinatal education to women at risk of premature birth, with a focus on progesterone treatment, smoking cessation and safe sleep practices, $20,180
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to reduce infant mortality rates in West Akron by providing critical legal services to women who are facing unsafe housing conditions, loss of public assistance, and institutional racism, $14,820
  • DAWN: Developing Alternatives for Women in New Communities, to support a leadership training program for refugee women living in Summit County, $8,300
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, to support an after-school leadership and empowerment program for girls in Akron Public Schools, $5,000
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, to help previously homeless, single mothers overcome addiction through secure housing, recovery-based support groups and parenting education, $20,000
  • Info Line, to increase awareness of resources that support healthy babies through 2-1-1, and to develop a screening protocol for families at risk of infant mortality, $5,000
  • I Promise School, Akron Public Schools, to empower girls to pursue careers in STEM fields through after-school programs that foster innovation and creativity, $5,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, for the SUN Shine program, which teaches African-American girls healthy strategies for coping with stress and anxiety, $10,000
  • OPEN M, to help women in poverty become economically self-sufficient through a financial literacy and job mentoring program, $5,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to teach girls in Akron-area high schools about healthy relationships, birth control and sexually transmitted infections using an evidence-based, LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, $10,000
  • RAHAB Ministries, to provide safe housing and trauma counseling for victims of sex trafficking, $5,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to prevent dating and sexual violence by educating middle and high school students about bullying, consent and healthy relationships, $8,000
  • South Street Ministries, to support Girls Studio, an arts-based mentoring program for teenage girls in the Summit Lake neighborhood, $3,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to provide wigs and beauty services for women on a cancer journey, $1,700
  • Students With A Goal, for Girls Circle, a discussion group for adolescent girls in the Summit Lake neighborhood that promotes healthy lifestyle choices, pregnancy prevention, entrepreneurship and personal accountability, $2,000
  • Summit County Public Health, to support infant mortality education and awareness in high-risk areas of Summit County, $10,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour crisis response services for victims of crime and trauma in Summit County, $5,000
  • Women's Network, to support research on gender equity in leadership, $5,000

In 2017, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $114,460 to 19 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to meet the emergency needs of homeless women and children, including safe shelter, counseling, addiction support and job readiness training, $10,000
  • Asian Services in Action Inc., to provide culturally sensitive support groups and domestic violence education to Hmong women in Akron, $3,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide protective shelter, food, clothing and counseling for victims of domestic violence, $10,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve Inc., to provide summer program scholarships for at-risk girls in Summit County, $4,960
  • Building for Tomorrow, to support the Reach Opportunity Center, which helps families in the Summit Lake neighborhood rise above poverty by providing job readiness programs for women and preparing young children for kindergarten, $5,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a running-based program for girls in Summit County that combines physical activity with discussions about self-confidence, bullying and healthy relationships, $5,000
  • Greenleaf Family Center, to support a perinatal program for African-American women in Summit County that reduces infant mortality through early prenatal care and maternal education, $10,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to support a "Mommy and Me" program for Afghan refugee women that will increase their language and self-sufficiency skills while preparing their young children for kindergarten, $9,500
  • Mustard Seed Development Center, for a financial counseling program that helps Summit County women secure stable housing, improve their credit, and develop a budget, $8,000
  • Not Wasted (Truly Reaching You), for a job skills training program for women in Summit County who have been incarcerated or are recovering from addiction, $5,000
  • OhioGuidestone, for a maternal depression program that provides in-home mental health assessments and support services for pregnant women and new mothers in Summit County, $5,000
  • OPEN M, to help women in poverty become economically self-sufficient through a financial literacy and job mentoring program, $5,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to teach girls in Akron-area high schools about healthy relationships, birth control and sexually transmitted infections using an evidence-based, LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, $7,500
  • Rape Crisis Center, to prevent dating and sexual violence by educating middle and high school students about bullying, consent and healthy relationships, $8,000
  • Shelter Care Inc., to purchase baby supplies for homeless teenage mothers living at the pregnancy shelter, $2,500
  • South Street Ministries, to support an arts-based mentoring program for teenage girls in the Summit Lake neighborhood that builds character and self-esteem, $4,000
  • Students With A Goal, for Girls Circle, a discussion group for adolescent girls in the Summit Lake neighborhood that promotes healthy lifestyle choices, pregnancy prevention, entrepreneurship and personal accountability, $2,000
  • Victim Assistance Program Inc., to provide 24-hour crisis response services for victims of crime and trauma in Summit County, $5,000
  • Women's Network Inc., to create a leadership and management training curriculum for female professionals, $5,000

In 2016, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $98,500 to 15 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to renovate and repair the agency's emergency shelter for homeless women and children, $17,500
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to reduce the number of sleep-related infant deaths in Summit County by providing portable cribs and safe sleeping educational materials to low-income mothers and caregivers, $2,500
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide protective shelter, food, clothing and counseling for victims of domestic violence, $8,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve Inc., to provide summer program scholarships for at-risk girls in Summit County, $4,000
  • Building for Tomorrow, to support the Reach Opportunity Center, which offers education, training, and family support for single mothers and at-risk residents in the Summit Lake neighborhood, $5,000
  • Greenleaf Family Center, for a school-based support group for teen mothers that offers parenting education and peer support, $7,500
  • Kent State University Foundation, to train Akron-area nonprofit organizations to implement the Sisters United Now (S.U.N.) program, which teaches African-American girls healthy strategies for coping with stress and anxiety, $5,000
  • Mustard Seed Development Center, for a financial counseling program that helps Summit County women secure stable housing, improve their credit, and develop a budget, $8,000
  • OPEN M, to help women in poverty become economically self-sufficient through a financial literacy and job mentoring program, $5,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, for the Tina Project, which helps prevent teen dating violence by educating middle and high school students about healthy relationships, $6,000
  • Shelter Care Inc., to teach girls living at the crisis shelter about healthy self-care practices, including personal hygiene, stress management, sexual health and nutrition, $6,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to provide wigs and beauty services for women with cancer to help improve their self-confidence and mental health, $1,500
  • Summa Health System, to reduce the rate of African-American infant deaths in West Akron by helping pregnant women in at-risk neighborhoods get the prenatal care and education they need, $10,000
  • Victim Assistance Program Inc., to provide 24-hour crisis response services for victims of crime and trauma in Summit County, $7,500
  • Women's Network Inc., for leadership training and mentoring programs for female professionals, $5,000

In 2015, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $85,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations:

  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, for nursing assistant career training to help women of color gain employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency, $7,500
  • Asian Services in Action Inc., to provide culturally sensitive support groups and domestic violence education to Hmong women in Akron, $3,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to renovate a residential suite for victims of domestic violence at the agency's new campus, $10,000
  • Child Guidance & Family Solutions Inc., for maternal depression support groups for new moms in Summit County, $5,500
  • Girls on the Run of Greater Summit, Jewish Community Center of Akron, to purchase an updated curriculum for this nationally acclaimed program, which mentors girls in high-poverty neighborhoods through a combination of fitness training and discussions about personal values, respect and self-worth, $10,000
  • Greenleaf Family Center, for a school-based support group for teen moms that offers parenting education and peer support, $5,500
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, to support the Mobile Moms program, which provides used cars to women transitioning out of homelessness, $12,500
  • Kent State University Foundation, for the S.U.N. 2.0 program, which teaches African-American girls healthy strategies for coping with stress and anxiety, $10,000
  • Legacy III Inc., to provide transitional housing and case management for homeless women recovering from addiction, $5,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, for the Tina Project, which helps prevent teen dating violence by educating middle and high school students about healthy relationships, $6,000
  • Summa Health System, for a recovery support group for opiate-addicted pregnant women that empowers them to become healthy, productive mothers, $7,500
  • Women's Network Inc., for leadership training and mentoring programs for female professionals, $2,500

In 2014, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $72,050 to 11 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to provide reliable used cars to women transitioning out of homelessness so they can find employment and become economically self-sufficient, $10,000
  • Asian Services in Action Inc., to provide culturally sensitive support groups and domestic violence education to Hmong women in Akron, $5,000
  • Bridges Out of Poverty Summit County Collaborative, United Way of Summit County, to provide the Getting Ahead program to women in transitional housing at ACCESS, Legacy III, Harvest Home and Freedom House for Women, $10,000
  • Building for Tomorrow, to raise awareness about maternal depression, and to provide education and support to mothers in Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority neighborhoods, $10,000
  • Collaborative Against Human Trafficking of Summit County, for the Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution (SOAP) Project, which distributes bars of soap with the National Human Trafficking Hotline phone number to high-risk motels in Summit County and educates cleaning staff about reporting suspicious behavior, $3,550
  • Community Legal Aid Services Inc., for the HEAL Program at Summa Women's Health Center, which helps patients address non-medical barriers to health, including economic instability, insecure housing, threats to physical safety, and poor access to education, $10,000
  • Health Solutions, to mentor female entrepreneurs and help them launch their own businesses in the technology, retail and service industries, $2,500
  • Girls on the Run of Greater Summit, to mentor girls in high-poverty neighborhoods through a program that combines fitness training with discussions about personal values, respect and self-worth, $5,000
  • Legacy III Inc., to provide transitional housing and case management for homeless women recovering from addiction, $6,000
  • Ruling Our eXperiences Inc., for an empowerment program at Green Middle School that helps girls develop their self-worth and offers a supportive environment to address issues of bullying, sexual violence, peer pressure and body image, $5,000
  • Shelter Care Inc., for the Wonder Women program, which helps at-risk girls at the Safe Landing Youth Shelter learn healthy behaviors and positive decision-making skills, $5,000

In 2013, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $95,000 to 11 nonprofit organizations:

  • Building for Tomorrow, to raise awareness about maternal depression, and to provide education and support to mothers in Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority neighborhoods, $10,000
  • Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, to support Respect, a teen dating violence and sexual assault prevention program, $5,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services Inc., for the HEAL Program at Summa Women's Health Center, which helps patients address non-medical barriers to health, including economic instability, insecure housing, threats to physical safety, and poor access to education, $10,000
  • Girls on the Run of Greater Summit, Jewish Community Center of Akron, to mentor girls in high-poverty neighborhoods through a program that combines fitness training with discussions about personal values, respect and self-worth, $5,000
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, to support the Mobile Moms program, which provides used cars to women transitioning out of homelessness, $20,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, for Sisters United Now, which teaches African-American girls in the Project GRAD Akron program healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety, $13,900
  • Mental Health America of Summit County Inc., for mental health and stress management workshops for adolescent girls living in AMHA neighborhoods, $6,000
  • Mustard Seed Development Center, for a financial counseling and case management program that helps Summit County women secure stable housing, rebuild their credit and get out of debt, $5,100
  • Opportunity Parish Ecumenical Neighborhood Ministry, for Diamond Ladies, a mentoring program for adolescent girls that focuses on career exploration, community service and healthy behaviors, $4,000
  • Project GRAD Akron, for a college readiness summer program at Buchtel High School that teaches girls about healthy relationships, positive decision-making, nutrition and goal setting, $6,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to prevent recurring violence against women by helping victims navigate the judicial system and file protection orders, $10,000

In 2012, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $52,000 to nine nonprofit organizations:

  • Battered Women's Shelter, for the Tina Project, which works to prevent teen dating violence by educating both boys and girls in schools and the juvenile court system, $5,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services Inc., for the HEAL Program at Summa Women's Health Center, which helps patients address non-medical barriers to health, including economic instability, insecure housing, threats to physical safety, and poor access to education, $8,000
  • Greenleaf Family Center, to teach parenting and life skills to young mothers, $2,000
  • International Institute of Akron Inc., to provide direct health education to refugee women and to translate online medical information for their use, $5,000
  • Legacy III Inc., to provide transitional housing and case management for homeless women recovering from addiction, $7,500
  • Mental Health America of Summit County Inc., for mental health and stress management workshops for adolescent girls living in AMHA housing, $5,000
  • Opportunity Parish Ecumenical Neighborhood Ministry, for Diamond Ladies, a mentoring program for adolescent girls that focuses on career exploration, goal setting, community service and healthy behaviors, $4,000
  • Project RISE, Akron Public Schools, for a therapeutic arts-based support group for women and their children living at the Battered Women's Shelter, $5,500
  • Victim Assistance Program, for the Child Victim Advocate program, which gives abused children and their families an advocate to guide them through the forensic examination and court process, $10,000

In 2011, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $51,500 to six nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, to raise awareness among AMHA residents about maternal depression, and to provide early diagnoses and support to mothers living with it, $10,000
  • Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, to support Respect, a dating violence and sexual assault prevention program for teens, $3,000
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, to support the Mobile Moms program, which provides used cars to women transitioning out of homelessness, $14,000
  • Jewish Community Center of Akron, for Girls on the Run, a program for 8- to 12-year-old girls that combines a 5K training regimen with lessons to strengthen their social, emotional, physical and mental health, $2,000
  • Mustard Seed Development Center, for Pathway Out of Poverty, a financial counseling and case management program that helps Summit County women and girls increase their financial stability and decrease their dependence on government subsidies, $7,500
  • Victim Assistance Program Inc., for the Child Victim Advocate program, which gives abused children and their families an advocate to guide them through the forensic examination and court process, $15,000

In 2010, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $64,500 to seven nonprofit organizations:

In 2009, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $48,200 to five nonprofit organizations:

In 2008, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $42,824 to four nonprofit organizations:

In 2007, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $40,250 to seven nonprofit organizations:

In 2006, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $36,066 to eight nonprofit organizations:

In 2005, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $39,593 to seven nonprofit organizations:

In 2004, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $34,444 to four nonprofit organizations:

  • Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve, for the "Decisions and Positive Futures" program, $10,000
  • Project R.I.S.E., Akron Public Schools, for the photo literacy project for homeless teenage girls, $4,500
  • Shelter Care Inc., for the Living Legacy Project at the Safe Landing shelter, $11,944
  • The University of Akron, for "Caregivers' and Advocates' Perceptions of Homeless Teenage Girls: Identifying Approaches to Promote Success In School," $8,000

In 2003, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $17,426 to three nonprofit organizations:

  • Project RISE, Akron Public Schools, to support the Living Legacy Project, a summer arts-based oral history project for girls residing at the Safe Landing shelter, $6,110
  • Shelter Care Inc., to purchase youth development workbooks for girls at the Safe Landing shelter, $3,016
  • The University of Akron, to support a study on homeless teenage girls that examines the key factors affecting their potential for success in school, $8,300

In 2002, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $27,500 to four nonprofit organizations:

  • Caring Communities of Summit County, for women's financial literacy programs, $7,000
  • Community Financial Education, for a free personal finance seminar series for women, $5,000
  • Greenleaf Family Center, for "Having Fun with Money," a mother-daughter financial literacy program, $9,500
  • Western Reserve Girl Scout Council, for the Money Smarts program, which teaches budgeting and money management skills to girls, $6,000

In 2001, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $22,000 to three nonprofit organizations:

In 2000, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $14,699 to five nonprofit organizations:

In 1999, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $7,500 to three nonprofit organizations:

  • Black Women on the Move, for expansion of the Phenomenal Young Women's Saturday enrichment program to Roswell Kent and Goodyear middle schools, $2,500
  • Western Reserve Girl Scout Council, for the Teen Drop-In Center, $2,500
  • YWCA of Summit County, for the Y-Teens Program expansion for girls at Goodyear and Roswell Kent middle schools, $3,000

In 1997, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $500 to one nonprofit organization:

  • NAMI Summit County, to purchase housewarming items for women with mental illness who are transitioning into independent housing, $500

In 1996, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $3,500 to two nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Art Museum, for a "History of Women Photographers" preview reception, $1,000
  • YWCA of Summit County, for the Women's Personal Enrichment Program, $2,500

In 1995, the Women's Endowment Fund awarded its first grant of $2,500 to one nonprofit organization:

  • YWCA of Summit County, for the Women's Personal Enrichment Program, $2,500
Horizontal Rule

Stay Connected

Sign up for our e-newsletter