New Funds

Hundreds of individuals, families, nonprofits and local businesses have trusted Akron Community Foundation with their philanthropy over the years. Whether they started a donor-advised fund to give back to their favorite causes, a scholarship fund to help students pursue their educational dreams, or an agency endowment fund to support their nonprofit's mission, all of our fundholders are giving back to the community in meaningful ways.

The following new funds have joined their ranks, and you can, too. Learn how easy it is to start your own charitable fund.

From April 1 to July 28, 2026, we welcomed 25 new funds:

The ACCESS Growth Fund will help women and children in our community attain permanent housing.

• ACCESS Growth Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support ACCESS's mission of helping women and children attain permanent housing.
• CarsonStrong Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support the CarsonStrong Foundation's mission of improving the lives of children and families impacted by cancer and other significant life challenges.
• Child Guidance & Family Solutions Resilience Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support Child Guidance & Family Solutions' mission of providing innovative and effective mental health services for youth, adults and families.
• Jean F. Gadd and William E. Gadd Memorial Trust: Designated fund established to support the Community Fund, the Education Fund, and the Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation.
• *Joe D. and Suzanne D. Henninger Arts, Music, and Culture Fund: Designated fund established to support the Akron Art Museum, Akron Civic Theatre, and Akron Symphony Orchestra.
• *Joe D. and Suzanne D. Henninger Education and Healthcare Fund: Designated fund established to support Child Guidance & Family Solutions, Old Trail School, and the Challenge Golf program at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
• *Joe D. and Suzanne D. Henninger General Community Needs Fund: Designated fund established to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, and United Way of Summit & Medina.
• *Joe D. and Suzanne D. Henninger Nature and Animal Conservation Fund: Designated fund established to support the Akron Zoo and Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
• *Joe D. and Suzanne D. Henninger Preservation and Historic Landmarks Fund: Designated fund established to support the Akron History Center, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
• Cailin Joyce Memorial Buckeye Catholic Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Sean and Terese Joyce in memory of their daughter, Cailin.
• Cailin Joyce Memorial Life Teen Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Sean and Terese Joyce in memory of their daughter, Cailin.
• Cailin Joyce Memorial Ohio State Club Dance Team Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Sean and Terese Joyce in memory of their daughter, Cailin.
• Miller Education Scholarship Fund – Aurora: Scholarship fund established to provide scholarships for graduating seniors at Aurora High School.
• Miller Education Scholarship Fund – Kenston: Scholarship fund established to provide scholarships for graduating seniors at Kenston High School.
• Miller Education Scholarship Fund – Miamisburg: Scholarship fund established to provide scholarships for graduating seniors at Miamisburg High School.
• Miller Education Scholarship Fund – West Geauga: Scholarship fund established to provide scholarships for graduating seniors at West Geauga High School.
• Parks-Cummings Family Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Fred Cummings and Misun Park Cummings.
• Jerome and Rebecca Susan Pecko Habitat for Humanity Fund: Designated fund established to support Habitat for Humanity of Summit County.
• Jerome and Rebecca Susan Pecko Haven of Rest Fund: Designated fund established to support Haven of Rest Ministries.
• Jerome and Rebecca Susan Pecko Magical Theatre Fund: Designated fund established to support Magical Theatre Company.
• Artis Jones Salyer Memorial Scholarship Fund: Scholarship fund established to provide scholarships for graduating seniors at Barberton High School, North High School and Springfield High School.
• Vernon & Barbara Sykes Fund: Donor-advised fund established by former Ohio state senator Vernon Sykes and his wife, Barbara.
• David R. and Cheryl L. Venarge Fund: Donor-advised fund established by David and Cheryl Venarge.
• Williams Challenge Endowment Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support Williams Challenge's mission of providing scholarships to low-income students in Summit County who excel in academics and community service.
• Mark A. Zimmerman and Elynmarie Kazle Theatre Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Mark Zimmerman and Elynmarie Kazle.

*Permanently endowed funds