Akron Community Foundation awards $4.4 million in grants

Funding includes nearly $650,000 in civic affairs grants

Akron Community Foundation's board of directors announced $4.4 million in quarterly grants and distributions, benefiting hundreds of nonprofits. The board approved 56 competitive civic affairs grants totaling $647,500 that were chosen by the foundation's Community Investment Committee.

Included in this round of civic affairs awards is a $7,500 grant to Unify America to help create a local civic assembly, made up of Akron-area residents who use collaborative problem-solving and democratic engagement to help solve community issues. The assembly – one of many that the organization has launched across the country – will start with the topic of housing and is expected to keep meeting long after the grant period ends.

"In Akron, we're using the civic assembly almost as a learning lab," said Morgan Lasher, chief community officer for Unify America. "So, we can not only do a great event one time but build the muscle to do these things over and over again as just the way that we solve problems together and work collaboratively." She added that after the group generates creative solutions, the information will be shared with local government officials.

People Feeding People will receive a $5,000 civic affairs grant to teach residents about tenant rights and responsibilities through workshops, legal assistance and printed materials. The program will be part of the organization's weekly grocery distribution events throughout Akron's neighborhoods.

"This program seeks to do a lot of political education around tenant rights and responsibilities," said Imokhai Okolo, co-founder and organizer of People Feeding People. "Typically, we have at least 100 people outside ready to receive groceries, and ready to be in community, which is a perfect time to be reaching people, a perfect time to have pop-up conversations with individuals, passing out information about the housing crisis, educational information, and having conversations with folks who are navigating this housing crisis and navigating challenges with their landlords."

Also receiving civic affairs funding is the Akron Urban League, which will receive a $30,000 grant to help support workforce development, anti-recidivism programs, minority entrepreneurship, and educational initiatives throughout Summit County. The organization is celebrating its 100^th anniversary, with yearlong events kicking off this October.

The Charles E. & Mary K. Booth Family Fund, the Jean P. Wade Fund, and an anonymous fundholder contributed $15,500 of the civic affairs funding through the community foundation's grant co-investment program, which enables donor-advised fundholders to review the board's competitive grant applications and support initiatives that align with their charitable interests.

Grants will support the following civic affairs programs:

Akron Cooperative Farms, to support urban farming, sustainable growing practices, and education, as well as social entrepreneurship and community building opportunities for resettled residents in North Hill and Greater Akron, $5,500
Akron History Center, to support operations of a free, museum-quality exhibit about the 200-year history of Akron as part of the city's 2025 Bicentennial celebration, $11,000
Akron Marathon, to support the Akron Marathon Race Series, along with a health and wellness initiative for Summit County businesses and organizations, $10,000
Akron Parks Collaborative, to support Friends of Parks groups and their work in planning programming and beautification for neighborhood parks, $8,000
Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, to support Rotary Camp's century-long mission of providing inclusive, therapeutic camp experiences for children and adults with developmental, physical, and mental health disabilities, $12,500
Akron-Summit County Public Library, to support the expansion of multilingual collections for Akron's diverse neighborhoods, expanding access to key neighborhood branches in North Hill, Firestone Park, and Goodyear Heights, $5,000
Akron Urban League, for operating support to provide workforce development, anti-recidivism, minority entrepreneurship, and education programs throughout Summit County, $30,000
Better Kenmore Community Development Corporation, to support the ongoing revitalization of the Kenmore community and Kenmore Boulevard, $17,500
Big Love Network, to help residents better connect with their neighborhoods through initiatives that enhance community engagement, improve air quality, reduce neighborhood pollution, expand the tree canopy, and promote urban farming, $7,500
Bounce Innovation Hub, to support efforts to strengthen Greater Akron's entrepreneurial ecosystem through strategic convening, collaborative programming, and implementation of the Spark Akron initiative, $10,000
Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support workforce development and economic development initiatives in Summit County, $13,000
Business Volunteers Unlimited, to strengthen Summit County nonprofits through expert consulting, leadership training, and strategic capacity-building services that enhance long-term impact and sustainability., $8,000
Candid, to support nonprofits in Summit County with free access to fundraising, nonprofit management, and capacity-building materials and services, $5,000
CASA Board Volunteer Association, for operating support, including recruiting, screening, training, and supporting community volunteers who serve as advocates for abused and neglected children involved in the juvenile court system, $17,000
City of Green, to support the city's strategic efforts to position itself as a vibrant visitor destination by identifying key assets, engaging community partners, and laying the groundwork for long-term economic and civic development through destination marketing planning, $5,000
Community Life Collaborative, to support native tree plantings throughout Akron in neighborhoods with low tree canopy, along with education about caring for the trees, $3,500
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, for operating support, which includes educational programs, community partnerships, and public events, as well as remediation work at the former Brandywine Golf Course, $45,000
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, for operating support, including affordable programming for residents taking train rides, and maintenance of vintage rail equipment, $30,000
Downtown Akron Partnership, for operating support for downtown Akron business attraction, residential occupancy, public space enhancement and economic development initiatives, $22,500
Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership Inc., to support outreach, marketing, and programming that elevate downtown visibility, strengthen small business connections, and foster community engagement during a period of infrastructure disruption, $5,000
Dr. Bob's Home, to support educational programming, visitor engagement, and preservation efforts at the historic birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, a site visited by thousands annually for its cultural and spiritual significance, $7,500
The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), to support business development, financial literacy and affordable capital access for aspiring entrepreneurs, $5,000
First Congregational Church of Hudson, to support expanded outreach, programming, and community engagement as First Serve deepens its presence in North Hill through its relocation to the 915 North Main Street Community Hub, $11,500
First Tee - Greater Akron, to support the continuation of intern programming to assist with setup and logistics for a program that integrates golf with a life skills curriculum, $8,000
Friends of Metro Parks, for operating support, including programs that increase accessibility and connect community members with nature, $5,000
Fund for Our Economic Future of Northeast Ohio, to help reduce income disparities, create job opportunities and promote green economy development through multi-sector collaboration, $10,000
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, to support implementation of the New Home Construction program, which purchases new, safe, and affordable homes for families in need, $15,500
Humane Society of Summit County, for animal intake care, vaccination, testing and microchipping of Summit County's rescued cats and dogs, $20,000
Ideastream Public Media, to support the production and distribution of in-depth, community-centered news and programming that informs and engages Summit County residents across multiple public media platforms, $10,000
International Soap Box Derby, to support and sustain the All-American racing program, STEM education programs and community events, $16,000
Keep Akron Beautiful, to support litter removal, illegal dumping removal and community cleanups in Akron, $15,500
Leadership Akron, for the Signature Program 43 Opening Retreat and Junior Leadership Akron Class 39 Philanthropy Project, $17,500
Legacies of Success Community Development Corporation, to support affordable homeownership in North Hill by rehabilitating a distressed property for a family facing barriers to owning a home, $6,000
Love Akron, for operating support, including grief recovery programming, the JEDI experience and the Locker Room Experience mentorship program for students, $5,000
MORTAR, to support the relaunch of the MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy in Akron, providing culturally competent training, coaching, and resources for historically marginalized entrepreneurs in partnership with the Akron Urban League, $2,500
North Hill Community Development Corporation, for operating support, including economic development, arts and culture programming, and programs that address critical needs in housing, entrepreneurship, and intergenerational leadership in the North Hill neighborhood, $18,000
Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to support Akron Civic Commons' Summit Lake Environmental Stewardship program, which engages local students and other community members in cleanup and guided canal trips to encourage environmental responsibility, $15,000
People Feeding People, to support a mobile program that delivers tenant rights education and civic engagement resources directly to renters through neighborhood-based outreach and grocery distribution sites, $5,000
Progressive Alliance Community Development Corporation Inc., to foster workforce development and promote the growth of microenterprises in the West Hill community, $5,000
Safety Forces Support Center, for mental health counseling and peer support services for first responders in Summit County, $10,500
SCORE, to provide counseling and workshops for small businesses and startups in Greater Akron, $10,000
Scouting America, Great Trail Council, to support career exploration and workforce development opportunities for Greater Akron and Summit County youth through the Exploring program, $11,000
Shanti Community Farms, to support urban farming, promote sustainable growing practices, and provide education and entrepreneurial opportunities for students and immigrant families, $8,000
Signal Ohio, to support Signal Akron, a nonprofit newsroom serving Akron communities that is anchored in and reflective of residents' needs, $25,000
South Street Ministries, to support reentry and community engagement initiatives, $20,000
Summit Metro Parks Foundation, to support programming for immigrants and refugees, along with volunteer coordination software, $12,500
Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners, to support native pollinator and rain gardens, invasive removal, watershed education, urban restoration, and a pilot green workforce program to improve watershed health in Summit County, $3,500
Torchbearers, for operating support of leadership and development programming and the 2026 Membership Kickoff Retreat, $4,000
Truly Reaching You, to support successful reentry for men through employment skills training, $12,000
Trust for Public Land, to protect and conserve land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come in Summit County, $5,000
Unify America, to support Akron's first Civic Assembly and build a local civic problem-solving infrastructure, $7,500
Weaver Industries Inc., to support the expansion of year-round employment services that provide individualized career planning, training, and job support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Summit County, $6,000
Well Community Development Corporation, to support a holistic approach to community and economic development in Akron's Middlebury neighborhood, $18,500
West Hill Neighborhood Organization, to address the digital divide in Akron's West Hill neighborhood with the creation of physical newsletters and leaflets for resident engagement, $5,000
Western Reserve Land Conservancy, for operational support, including restoring habitats and creating healthy urban environments with greenspaces and natural areas, $5,000
Youth Success Summit, to support a citywide Summer for All initiative that activates Akron's civic and cultural assets to help build essential skills for youth and strengthen community engagement, $15,000

About Akron Community Foundation
For 70 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 $330 million with a growing family of more than 900 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 $263 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.