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Gay Community Endowment Fund logo

One of the community foundation's most important values is inclusiveness, and no fund embraces that more than the Gay Community Endowment Fund.

Founded in 2001, the mission of the Gay Community Endowment Fund is to support the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ community by providing grants and scholarships that advance the right to live safely, openly and authentically. The fund envisions a societal transformation in which all LGBTQ+ individuals experience equity and acceptance.

Since its establishment, the Gay Community Endowment Fund has invested nearly $840,000 into local causes that change the lives of LGBTQ+ people in our community. Recent grants have created safer environments for LGBTQ+ youth, combated phobias of the LGBTQ+ community, and supported mental health and suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ+ people.

In addition, area students can apply for a scholarship from the GCEF Scholarship Fund, which supports LGBTQ+ and allied students who live or attend school in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties.

Read our latest newsletter   |   Learn about the history of the fund   |   Circle of Inclusion   |   Impact Grants   |   Sugar Plum Tour

Our Recent Grants

By the Numbers

More Than
$2.2 Million
in charitable assets
Nearly
$840,000
in grants given
Since
2001
founding year

Advisory Board

Advisory board members serve without pay to help the fund impact the lives of people in Greater Akron's LGBTQ+ community.

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