Akron Community Foundation awards $330,000 in capital grants

Funded projects range from accessibility and security upgrades to construction

Akron Community Foundation's board of directors recently approved $330,000 in capital grants, selected by the foundation's Community Investment Committee.

Every other year, the foundation offers these grants to nonprofits that need funding to renovate or repair buildings or property, or to purchase equipment essential to the organization's ability to deliver quality programming.

Among those organizations receiving a grant is Summit Artspace, which will receive $22,500 to help renovate artist gallery spaces, along with improvements in HVAC, lighting, electrical systems and safety access.

Several proposals focused on accessibility and safety, like North Coast Community Homes, which will receive $5,000 to upgrade its housing for adults with mental health issues by replacing keyed door entries with a keyless, electronic system. This will help avoid residents being locked out after hours, among other benefits.

A total of 32 organizations will receive capital funding. Grants will support the following capital projects:

ACCESS Inc., to support the final phase of roof repair at ACCESS Shelter, $25,000
Akron AIDS Collaborative, to support Bayard Rustin LGBTQ Resource Center renovations, including electrical and plumbing improvements, to allow for an operational laundry room and shower facility, and a food warming center, $20,000
Akron Art Museum, to support the creation of the Center for Digital Discovery at the museum, which includes digital gallery space, dedicated classroom and educational space, and immersive artist-created spaces for all ages, $15,000
Akron Civic Theatre, to replace a lighting control console in the main auditorium, $15,000
Ballet Excel Ohio, to replace the traveling dance floor for free community youth ballet performances, $5,000
Boy Scouts of America, Great Trail Council, to support the purchase of ceiling and exhaust fans to aid in the preservation of Camp Manatoc's historic dining hall, $5,000
Building for Tomorrow, to support a science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lab for children at the Reach Opportunity Center in the Summit Lake neighborhood, $10,000
Caring for Kids, to support renovations to counseling and waiting rooms, among other improvements, for the foster care and adoption mental health facility at a new location, $7,500
Carve Your Own Path, for improvements for its trauma-informed wellness programming, such as chairs to accommodate individuals with mobility limitations, an accessible printer, and an AV cart for multimedia presentations, $3,000
CASA Board Volunteer Association, to purchase new laptops for the CASA/GAL team, $10,000
CHC Addiction Services, to support renovations to the Touchstone facility, $12,000
Child Guidance & Family Solutions, to support safety enhancements at the central office, including security cameras, emergency lights and signage, $10,000
Citizens Akron Church, to support The Vincent House dance studio, including flooring, mirrors, and lighting, $9,000
First Congregational Church of Hudson, to build ADA-compliant bathrooms and renovate community use spaces at 915 N. Main St. in North Hill, $10,000
First Tee - Greater Akron, to improve the driving range space used for golf-based youth development programming, $10,000
Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, to support stabilization and restoration of Garfield Hall, including floors, windows, electrical work and roof, among other items, $5,000
Greenleaf Family Center, to enhance security and safety for mental health providers and clients, including electronic locks, card readers and a video doorbell $7,500
H.M. Life Opportunity Services, for renovation of the agency's Treeside drive property, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation and drywall, to provide permanent supportive housing for families who are homeless, $10,000
Humane Society of Summit County, to support the construction of a new, purposefully designed shelter/adoption center to serve Summit County's rescued animals and pet owners, $15,000
Jewish Community Center of Akron, to renovate the community pool's outdoor bathhouse to make it ADA compliant and to add a gender-neutral/family bathroom and changing room, $10,000
North Coast Community Homes, to upgrade its Summit County homes with keyless entry systems, $5,000
North Hill Community House, for food pantry and facility improvements, including electrical and plumbing upgrades and insulation, $10,000
Red Oak Behavioral Health, for the transformation of its outpatient center, including masonry work, new entrances, electrical and roofing, $25,000
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, for enhancements at the Ronald McDonald House of Akron, including renovations to the kitchen and laundry area, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, to support the Heritage & Hospitality Project, which includes a new outdoor concession stand for visitors, $10,000
Stewart's Caring Place, to improve physical accessibility at the cancer wellness center, including automatic doors and a concrete ramp for the entrance, $7,500
Summit Artspace, for improvements to artist-centered public facilities, including renovation of gallery space, HVAC, ceilings, lighting, electrical systems, and door replacement/safety access, $22,500
Summit Choral Society Inc., to support the implementation of a digital learning platform for youth education, using electronic tablets and digital sheet music, $7,000
Tri-County Jobs for Ohio's Graduates, to support restroom renovations for ADA compliance and efficiency, $10,000
Urban Ounce of Prevention Behavioral Health Services Inc., to support access to services for members in the community with mobility issues through the installation of a stairway chair lift, $5,000
Victory Gallop Inc., to replace two natural gas heaters for the horse barns, $4,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, to update the main entrance and increase accessibility for all patrons and participants, $5,000

About Akron Community Foundation
For 69 years, Akron Community Foundation has been our community's champion and generator of enduring philanthropy. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of $300 million with a growing family of more than 880 funds established by charitable people and organizations from all walks of life. The community foundation and its funds welcome gifts of all kinds, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets, just to name a few. To date, the community foundation's funds have awarded nearly $250 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. For more information about Akron Community Foundation or to learn more about creating your own charitable fund, call 330-376-8522 or visit akroncf.org.