Gay Community Endowment Fund seeking grant proposals for programs benefiting LGBTQ+ community
The Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for programs that support the local LGBTQ+ community.
Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may apply for either an impact grant or a micro grant, with impact grants starting at $10,000 and micro grants ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Applications should be submitted online through Akron Community Foundation's new online grant management system at akroncf.org/ApplyGCEF by Dec. 15. Interested parties are encouraged to watch a tutorial outlining the new system at akroncf.org/watch/grantee-training.
Strong preference will be given to impact grant proposals that create safer environments for LGBTQ+ youth, combat phobias of the LGBTQ+ community, and support mental health and suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ+ people. In addition to these focus areas, micro grant proposals will also be accepted for a wider range of programs that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, including the arts, community events and nonprofit operational needs.
In 2025, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 17 grants totaling $80,500 to local nonprofit organizations, bringing its cumulative grantmaking to nearly $920,000 since it was established in 2001. Last year's grantmaking included nearly $60,000 in impact grants, including a $10,000 grant to the University of Akron Foundation to support the new Akron LGBTQ+ Archive, which features oral histories and materials from the city's LGBTQ+ community. This will be the first centralized archive of LGBTQ+ history in Summit County.
Other recent grants have provided leadership training opportunities for LGBTQ+ young adults, supported a summer day camp for gender-expansive youth, and more. View a full list of grant recipients at akroncf.org/GCEFgrants.
Nonprofits may be asked to schedule a site visit or interview with the committee during the grant review process. Grant decisions will be announced in March 2026.
Questions about the application process should be directed to the Director of Community Investment Cristina González Alcalá, Ph.D.
About the Gay Community Endowment Fund
Founded in 2001, the Gay Community Endowment Fund is a philanthropic endowment of Akron Community Foundation. The fund supports the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ community by providing grants and scholarships that enhance the right to live safely, openly and authentically. Since its inception, the fund has grown to $2.7 million while reinvesting nearly $920,000 into the community. Contributions of any amount are welcome and support future grantmaking. Checks should be sent to Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307, with Gay Community Endowment Fund in the memo line. Donations may also be designated for the GCEF Scholarship Fund. For more information, or to contribute, call 330-376-8522 or visit gaycommunityfund.org.
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.