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Since it was founded, the Gay Community Endowment Fund has invested nearly $920,000 into local causes that change the lives of LGBTQ+ people throughout our community.

View the complete history of grants below or learn how to apply.

2025 Grants

In 2025, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 17 grants totaling $80,500 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron AIDS Collaborative, to support The Trans Leadership Program, a yearlong workshop for transgender young adults to advance their leadership and communication skills, $2,000
  • Akron Children's, to support patients and their families through free patient kits, parent support groups, and other services, $3,000
  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages underrepresented young adults in theater productions, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, $1,000
  • Akron Marathon, to expand outreach to LGBTQ+ individuals, $1,000
  • The Buckeye Flame, to publish three stories about inspiring LGBTQ+ individuals in Summit County, $3,000
  • CANAPI, to support the 2025 Akron Pride Festival, $3,000
  • CANAPI, to provide short-term rental, utility and transportation assistance to LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing housing instability, $10,000
  • Clapp for Art, to support The Groundhog Show, an annual pop-up art exhibition that broadens the reach and impact of LGBTQ+ artists, $3,000
  • GLSEN Northeast Ohio, to support an all-day conference that empowers and educates middle and high school LGBTQ+ students and allies throughout Northeast Ohio, $7,500
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the Queers United to Encourage and Support Transition (QUEST) mentorship program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $3,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to expand access to affordable medications and services for trans and nonbinary patients through the PPRx pharmacy at the Akron Health Center, $10,000
  • Summit County Continuum of Care, to provide safe housing and support systems for LGBTQ+ youth who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, $7,500
  • Trans Joy Akron, to provide expanded learning and enrichment opportunities for LGBTQ+ students and allies during the 2025-26 school year, $5,000
  • University of Akron Foundation, to provide expanded learning and enrichment opportunities for LGBTQ+ students and allies during the 2024-25 school year, $3,000
  • University of Akron Foundation, to create the first digital archive of Summit County's LGBTQ+ history, $10,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to provide general operating support, $1,000
  • Whole Human Project, to support Camp Indigo, a summer day camp for transgender and gender-expansive youth, $7,500
2024 Grants

In 2024, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 18 grants totaling $82,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron AIDS Collaborative, to support the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center, which provides emergency housing referrals, food and clothing assistance, and mental health services for LGBTQ+ people of color in Summit County, $20,000
  • Akron Children's, to support a gender-affirming awareness campaign to promote the use of correct pronouns throughout the hospital, $3,000
  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages underrepresented young adults in theater productions, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, $1,000
  • CANAPI, to promote inclusivity through the 2024 Akron Pride Festival, $3,000
  • CANAPI, to provide short-term rental and utility assistance to LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing housing instability, $3,000
  • Carve Your Own Path, to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and identity-affirming mental health services to LGBTQ+ individuals, $2,000
  • CHC Addiction Services, to provide staff with Safe Space training to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, $3,000
  • Clapp for Art, to support The Groundhog Show, an annual pop-up art exhibition that broadens the reach and impact of LGBTQ+ artists, $2,000
  • GLSEN Northeast Ohio, to support an all-day conference that empowers and educates middle and high school LGBTQ+ students and allies throughout Northeast Ohio, $10,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the Queers United to Encourage and Support Transition (QUEST) mentorship program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $3,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support The Listening Project, a series of arts-based research activities that will build community and produce digitized educational materials focused on the needs of LGBTQ+ youth and their families in Greater Akron public schools, $3,000
  • OutSupport, for community outreach, education and advocacy efforts that promote the health and equality of LGBTQ+ people in Medina and surrounding communities, $2,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to support a full-service community pharmacy at the Akron Health Center that will ensure trans and nonbinary patients can affordably obtain medications, $10,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to support outreach to LGBTQ+ and HIV+ individuals, who have historically underutilized the organization's free cancer wellness and support services, $3,000
  • Students With A Goal (SWAG), to provide wraparound support services, including in-school and out-of-school programming, to LGBTQ+ youth, $5,000
  • Summa Health, to support the 2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Summit, which provides health care professionals with training on issues specific to LGBTQ+ patients, $3,000
  • University of Akron Foundation, to provide expanded learning and enrichment opportunities for LGBTQ+ students and allies during the 2024-25 school year, $3,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to increase outreach to aging LGBTQ+ community members and to train staff to provide a welcoming environment for all LGBTQ+ older adults, $3,000
2023 Grants

In 2023, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 15 grants totaling $71,354 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron AIDS Collaborative, to support the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center, which provides emergency housing referrals, food and clothing assistance, and mental health services for LGBTQ+ people of color in Summit County, $10,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to establish a parent support group for caregivers of patients who are receiving gender-affirming care, $3,000
  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages underrepresented young adults in theater productions, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, $1,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to address the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Summit and Medina counties through culturally responsive services, support groups, staff trainings and outreach, $10,000
  • CANAPI, to promote inclusivity through the 2023 Akron Pride Festival, $3,000
  • CANAPI, to provide food, transportation and rental assistance for LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing housing instability, $10,354
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the QUEST mentorship program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $3,000
  • OutSupport, for community outreach, education and advocacy efforts that promote the health and equality of LGBTQ+ people in Medina and surrounding communities, $2,000
  • OutSupport, to promote a sense of belonging within the LGBTQ+ community in Medina County through a billboard marketing campaign, $3,000
  • Plexus Education Foundation, to connect LGBTQ+ job seekers with employers dedicated to hiring diverse candidates through the LGBTQ+ Job & Resource Fair, $3,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to support outreach to LGBTQ+ and HIV+ communities, which have historically underutilized the organization's free cancer wellness and support services, $1,500
  • Summa Health, to provide gender-affirming hormone therapy injection kits to transgender and nonbinary patients at the Summa Health Pride Clinic, $12,500 
  • University of Akron Foundation, to provide expanded learning and enrichment opportunities for LGBTQ+ students and allies during the 2023-24 school year, $3,000
  • University of Akron Foundation, to support a graduate assistant position to spearhead the university's services for LGBTQ+ students, $3,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to provide LGBTQ+ older adults with opportunities to serve their community and find connection through the AmeriCorps Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), $3,000

2022 Grants

In 2022, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 16 grants totaling $60,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron AIDS Collaborative, to support the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center, which provides emergency housing referrals, food assistance, job readiness training, and mental health services for LGBTQ+ people of color in Summit County, $7,500
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to provide gender-affirming health care services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults from low-income families, $5,000
  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages underrepresented young adults in theater productions, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, $1,500
  • The Buckeye Flame, to support the "Ignite Action" series, which will amplify the stories of LGBTQ+ community members through broadcasted panel discussions, $5,000
  • CANAPI, to provide food, transportation and rental assistance for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing housing instability, $3,000
  • Child Guidance & Family Solutions, to create a mental health services hub for LGBTQ+ people in Summit County by providing suicide prevention and individual counseling services, family support groups, community outreach programming, and a more inclusive office building and culture,  $6,000
  • Greenleaf Family Center, to provide mental health support groups for LGBTQ+ adults and adolescents in Greater Akron, $6,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the QUEST mentorship program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $3,000
  • OutSupport, for community outreach, education and advocacy efforts that promote the health and equality of LGBTQ+ people in Medina and surrounding communities, $2,250
  • Plexus Education Foundation, to support cultural competency training sessions to help small-business owners implement LGBTQ+ inclusive practices, $2,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support staff training to enhance the organization's therapy services for LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence in Summit and Medina counties, $1,250
  • Summa Health, to expand access to LGBTQ+ patient care at the Summa Health Pride Clinic, $5,000
  • University of Akron Foundation, to support a graduate assistant position to spearhead the university's services for LGBTQ+ students, $7,000
  • University of Akron Foundation, to support a speaker series for LGBTQ+ students and allies during the 2022-23 school year, $1,500
  • VANTAGE Aging, to support community outreach and education efforts for aging LGBTQ+ adults, $2,500
  • Victim Assistance Program, to support inclusive outreach materials and staff trainings to enhance the organization's services for LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, $1,500
2021 Grants

In 2021, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 13 grants totaling $54,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support social work services at the hospital's Center for Gender Affirming Medicine, which offers comprehensive care for transgender youth, $5,000
  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages underrepresented young adults in theater productions, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, $2,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide supportive services for LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, $2,000
  • CANAPI, to provide rent and transportation assistance for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing housing instability, $2,000
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association, to support social media outreach to LGBTQ+ teens about their right to experience safety and equality at home and in foster care, $3,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment, $10,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the QUEST mentorship program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $2,000
  • Margie's Hope, to provide support groups, outreach and resources to transgender people and their families in Greater Akron, $10,000
  • Open Arms Adoptions, to combat discrimination and promote adoption in LGBTQ+ families, $2,000
  • OutSupport, for community outreach, education and advocacy efforts that promote the health and equality of LGBTQ+ people in Medina and surrounding communities, $2,000
  • Plexus Education Foundation, to support educational programming and networking opportunities for LGBTQ+ students at the University of Akron, $2,000
  • Summa Health, for cancer screening and diagnostic equipment to elevate LGBTQ+ health services in the Summa Health Pride Clinic, $10,000
  • University of Akron Foundation, to support a speaker series for LGBTQ+ students and allies during the 2021-22 school year, $2,000
2020 Grants

In 2020, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 14 grants totaling $49,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support social work services at the hospital's new Center for Gender Affirming Medicine, which offers comprehensive care for transgender youth, $10,000
  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages underrepresented young adults in theater productions, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, $1,000
  • CANAPI, to support the 2020 Akron Pride Festival, $3,000
  • CANAPI, to support outreach to LGBTQ+ youth and to connect them to resources for housing, transportation, health services and job preparation, $3,000
  • GLSEN, to support a conference for LGBTQ+ youth and allies who participate in their school's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club, $1,500
  • Greater Akron Amenities, to support the Proud2Play Tournament, which celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion through sports, $1,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the QUEST mentorship program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $3,000
  • OutSupport, for community outreach, education and advocacy efforts that promote the health and equality of LGBTQ+ people in Medina and surrounding communities, $2,000
  • PFLAG Akron, for community outreach programs, including self-defense classes for LGBTQ+ youth and speaking engagements at schools, churches and businesses, $2,000
  • Plexus Education Foundation, to support networking events and educational programs for the LGBTQ+ business community and allies, $2,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support outreach to LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic or sexual violence, $1,500
  • Summa Health, to support the inaugural LGBTQ+ Healthcare Summit, which will highlight health disparities specific to the LGBTQ+ community and train local physicians to provide inclusive care for their patients, $10,000
  • Summit Artspace, to create a traveling art installation by Shane Wynn that shines a light on the alarming rate of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, $8,000
  • Weathervane Community Playhouse, to support the production of Kinky Boots, $1,000
2018-19 Grants

In 2018-19, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 16 grants totaling $55,050 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support the hospital's new Center for Gender Affirming Medicine, which offers comprehensive care for transgender youth, including gender-affirming hormone therapy, mental health care, and social work services, $5,000
  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages underrepresented young adults in theater productions, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, $2,500
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support outreach to LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic or sexual violence, $2,000
  • CANAPI, to support the Akron Pride Festival, $3,000
  • CANAPI, to provide housing support and mentoring programs for LGBTQ+ youth, who are more likely to experience homelessness than their straight, cisgender peers, $10,000
  • Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, to create safer school environments for LGBTQ+ youth through in-school performances and workshops that address bullying, $3,000
  • Kent State University Foundation, to support the QUEST mentorship program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $3,000
  • META Center Inc., to provide support groups, outreach and affirming activities for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth in Northeast Ohio, $1,000
  • National Center for Choreography, to support arts internships for LGBTQ+ young adults, $1,000
  • OutSupport, for community outreach, education and advocacy efforts that promote the health and equality of LGBTQ+ people in Medina and surrounding communities, $2,000
  • PFLAG Akron, for community outreach programs and events, including speaking engagements at schools, churches and businesses, $1,000
  • Plexus Education Foundation, to support networking events and educational programs for LGBTQ+ business professionals and entrepreneurs, $1,000
  • Portage Path Behavioral Health, to remove barriers and increase the quality of care for LGBTQ+ people seeking mental health and substance use treatment, $10,000
  • Summa Health, to support the launch of the Summa Health Pride Clinic, which will provide specialized health care services for LGBTQ+ patients in Greater Akron, $5,000
  • TransAction, to support a summer camp for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth, $2,550
  • VANTAGE Aging, to provide more inclusive services for aging adults by educating staff members about the unique challenges and needs of LGBTQ+ seniors, $3,000
2017 Grants

In 2017, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 15 grants totaling $39,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages young adults in theater productions that emphasize diversity in sex, race, gender, sexual orientation and physical abilities, $3,000
  • Akron Soul Train, to support the 2018 LGBT Arts Festival, which showcases LGBTQ+ musicians, filmmakers, visual artists and writers throughout Greater Akron, $1,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support an outreach campaign for LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic or sexual violence, $1,000
  • CANAPI, to support the 2017 Akron Pride Festival, $5,000
  • CANAPI, to support the 2018 Akron Pride Festival, $3,000
  • CANAPI, to provide housing support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, who are more likely to become victims of violence, abuse and human trafficking than their heterosexual peers, $5,000
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association, to support a community awareness campaign about the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system, $2,500
  • Equality Ohio Education Fund, to advocate for nondiscrimination protections for Summit County's LGBTQ+ community and to create a countywide culture of inclusion through outreach and education, $2,000
  • Equitas Health, to support HIV testing and prevention education through targeted outreach to gay and bisexual men in Summit County, particularly in the African-American community, $2,500
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, for "Reaching Akron's Silent Generation," a program that provides education, counseling and social support for LGBTQ+ senior citizens, $1,500
  • Kent State University Foundation Inc., for the QUEST mentoring program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students with a supportive adult role model, $4,000
  • OutSupport Inc., to increase the visibility of this local LGBTQ+ advocacy group through community outreach and promotional materials, $3,500
  • The Plexus Education Foundation Inc., to support networking events and educational programs for LGBTQ+ business professionals and entrepreneurs, $1,000
  • Weathervane Community Playhouse, to support the production of "It Shoulda Been You," a musical comedy about a bride and groom who find love in unlikely places, $2,000
  • Western Reserve Playhouse, to support the production of "Bare: A Pop Opera," a rock musical about two gay high school students and their struggles at a private Catholic boarding school, $2,000
2016 Grants

In 2016, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 17 grants totaling $42,850 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Civic Theatre, to support the Millennial Theatre Project, which engages young adults in theater productions that emphasize diversity in sex, race, gender, sexual orientation and physical abilities, $2,500
  • Cleveland International Film Festival, for screenings of LGBTQ+ films in downtown Akron, $2,500
  • Community AIDS Network/Akron Pride Initiative, to support the annual Game Change Conference at Kent State University, which educates local social workers, teachers and health care workers about the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community, $1,000
  • Community AIDS Network/Akron Pride Initiative, to provide housing support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, who are more likely to become victims of violence, abuse and human trafficking than their heterosexual peers, $5,000
  • Domestic Violence Project Inc., to support a one-day training seminar that educates local law enforcement officers, attorneys, social workers, housing providers and clergy members about critical issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, including trauma, mental illness, addiction, intimate partner violence, and more, $1,000
  • Equality Ohio Education Fund, to advocate for nondiscrimination protections for Akron's LGBTQ+ community and to create a citywide culture of inclusion through outreach and education, $2,000
  • Equitas Health, to support HIV testing and prevention education through targeted outreach to gay and bisexual men in Summit County, particularly in the African-American community, $4,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, for "Reaching Akron's Silent Generation," a program that provides education, counseling and social support for LGBTQ+ senior citizens, $2,500
  • Kent State University Foundation Inc., for the QUEST mentoring program, which pairs LGBTQ+ students of color and economic need with a supportive adult role model, $6,000
  • Magical Theatre Company, to increase awareness about the Nazi persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals during the Holocaust through the production of "The Diary of Anne Frank," as well as post-show discussions with students about discriminations the LGBTQ+ community still faces today, $1,000
  • Mobile Meals Inc., to provide home-delivered meals and supplements to low-income LGBTQ+ residents in Summit County, $1,500
  • None Too Fragile Theater, to support the production of "The Whale," an award-winning play featuring a gay protagonist who finds beauty in unexpected places, $1,000
  • OutSupport Inc., to increase the visibility of this local LGBTQ+ advocacy group through community outreach and promotional materials, $2,850
  • PFLAG Akron, to support the Teen Pride Network, which offers positive social support and activities for LGBTQ+ youth who feel isolated in their school, home or community, $4,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, to support outreach to LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual assault, $1,000
  • TransOhio Inc., to provide free legal clinics to help people in the transgender community file petitions to change their name and gender on legal documents, $3,000
  • Weathervane Community Playhouse, to advance the community dialogue about gender identity development in children through a production of "A Kid Like Jake" and a free workshop for education professionals, $2,000
2015 Grants

In 2015, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 11 grants totaling $36,361 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Art Museum, to support an art tour program for middle and high school students that challenges their assumptions about gender identity, sexuality, body image and race, $6,220
  • Akron Public Schools, to support a student-led cyberbullying prevention and education campaign at Innes Community Learning Center, $3,186
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc., to improve the quality of life of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care through specialized training for child welfare professionals in Summit County, $1,580
  • Cleveland International Film Festival, for screenings of LGBTQ+ films in downtown Akron as part of the 40th Cleveland International Film Festival, $2,500
  • Community AIDS Network, to support a conference that educates local social workers, teachers and health care workers about the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, and to create a digital directory of LGBTQ-friendly service providers in Northeast Ohio, $6,000
  • Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in local schools, and to establish a network of allies among educators, $875
  • Friends of 91.3, to broadcast positive messages about kindness, respect and bullying on KIDJAM! radio in Akron Public Schools, $1,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, for "Reaching Akron's Silent Generation," a program that provides education, counseling and social support for LGBTQ+ senior citizens, $5,000
  • Kent State University Foundation Inc., for the LGBTQ Student Center at Kent State University, $5,000
  • OutSupport Inc., to increase the visibility of this local LGBTQ+ advocacy group through outreach and promotional materials, $3,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to increase the agency's support of LGBTQ+ cancer patients and their families through cultural competency training for staff and volunteers, $1,500
2014 Grants

In 2014, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 11 grants totaling $42,700 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Battered Women's Shelter, to renovate a residential suite for victims of domestic violence at the agency's new campus, $10,000
  • Cleveland International Film Festival, for screenings of LGBTQ+ films in downtown Akron as part of the 10% Cinema series, $2,500
  • Community AIDS Network, for the Akron Film+Pride program, an independent film and discussion series that brings visibility to LGBTQ+ issues, $1,500
  • Community AIDS Network, to support the Game Change Educational Conference, which educates local social workers, teachers and health care workers about the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, $3,500
  • Equality Ohio Education Fund, for a public education campaign about the need for statewide nondiscrimination protections, $3,500
  • Fair Housing Contact Service Inc., to educate local residents and housing providers about fair housing practices and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, $1,000
  • GCEF Scholarship Fund of Akron Community Foundation, for scholarships for LGBTQ+ students in Summit, Medina, Portage and Stark counties, $5,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, for "Reaching Akron's Silent Generation," a program that provides education, counseling and social support for LGBTQ+ senior citizens, $5,000
  • Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Inc., Akron Chapter, for the Teen Pride Network, which offers positive social support and activities for LGBTQ+ youth who feel isolated in their school, home or community, $6,000
  • Rape Crisis Center, for diversity and inclusiveness training to better equip staff members to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual assault, $2,700
  • Stark State College, to send students to a regional conference that promotes leadership, activism and empowerment among LGBTQ+ college students, $2,000
2013 Grants

In 2013, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 16 grants totaling $131,925 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Actors Summit, for productions of the critically acclaimed My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding during the week of the Gay Games, $3,000
  • Akron Area Arts Alliance, for a real-time digital and online photography exhibit that captures the community pride sparked by the Gay Games, $5,000
  • Akron Independent Film Festival Inc., for screenings of LGBTQ-inclusive films the week before and during the Gay Games, $1,000
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc., for an equality training seminar that educates volunteer court advocates about placing children with same-sex foster or adoptive parents, $2,000
  • Child Guidance & Family Solutions Inc., to develop marketing materials for the agency's school-based adolescent outreach program targeted toward LGBTQ+ youth, $5,000
  • Cleveland Special Events Corporation, for events held in Akron and Summit County as part of the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation, $85,000
  • Community AIDS Network, for the Teen Pride Network, a collaboration with the Akron chapter of PFLAG that offers positive social support and activities for LGBTQ+ youth who feel isolated in their school, home or community, $2,600
  • Community AIDS Network, for a one-day conference at the University of Akron that explores LGBTQ+ issues in sports and culture, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ elder, youth and transgender issues, $5,000
  • Community Drug Board DBA: Community Health Center, to increase outreach to the LGBTQ+ community and educate the agency's substance abuse counselors about the specific needs of LGBTQ+ clients, $2,500
  • Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, for a special "Music in the Meadow" concert in the national park for Gay Games participants and the general public, $5,000
  • Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, for an LGBTQ+ awareness and inclusiveness program for small business and nonprofit government professionals held in the weeks leading up to the Gay Games, $3,725
  • Fair Housing Contact Service Inc., to provide remediation to LGBTQ+ individuals who have faced discrimination by housing providers, $2,000
  • Fusion Magazine, for Kent State University's award-winning, student-produced publication, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations, $500
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, for counseling and support groups for LGBTQ+ senior citizens, $4,000
  • Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in Northeast Ohio Inc., for the Teen Pride Network, a collaboration with Community AIDS Network that offers positive social support and activities for LGBTQ+ youth who feel isolated in their school, home or community, $2,600
  • Verb Ballets, for the creation of LGBTQ-themed dance performances that will increase public awareness and excitement about the Gay Games, $3,000
2012 Grants

In 2012, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 9 grants totaling $26,683 to the following nonprofit organizations:

2011 Grants

In 2011, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 10 grants totaling $29,161 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Area Pride Collective, for the LGBTQ+ youth support group, $1,700
  • Akron Film + Pixel Festival, for the premiere of "Hit So Hard," a documentary about the life of Hole drummer Patty Schemel and her marriage to Christina Soletti, $1,218
  • Battered Women's Shelter, for a community outreach program that educates people about same-sex domestic violence, $1,500
  • Friends of 91.3, to broadcast anti-bullying messages on KIDJAM!, an online children's radio station, $3,500
  • Fusion Magazine, for Kent State University's award-winning, student-produced publication, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations, $1,300
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, for counseling and support groups for LGBTQ+ senior citizens, $5,000
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Union, to send Kent State, Stark State, Mount Union and University of Akron students to the 2012 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference, $5,608
  • Mobile Meals Inc., to promote Mobile Meals' free food and supplement services to LGBTQ+ individuals in greater Akron, $1,250
  • Summa Foundation, to educate forensic nurses about same-sex domestic violence and assault, $5,085
  • Verb Ballets, for the creation and local performance of a new work that depicts tango from a same-sex perspective, $3,000
2010 Grants

In 2010, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 11 grants totaling $26,435 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Akron Art Museum, for a James Gobel painting that illustrates the pitfalls of stereotypes, $3,000
  • Asian Services in Action Inc., for an HIV/AIDS prevention program among local Asian Americans, $2,000
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc., for a training seminar for court advocates working with LGBTQ+ youth, $1,790
  • Community Health Center, to train staff in identifying and treating addiction and mental health issues in the LGBTQ+ population, $965
  • First Grace United Church of Christ, for Project CommUnity, which records the personal narratives of LGBTQ+ individuals and then translates them into live theater performances, $2,500
  • Friends of 91.3, for KIDJAM!, an online children's radio station that broadcasts music and anti-bullying messages to local youth, $3,500
  • Fusion Magazine, for Kent State University's award-winning, student-produced publication, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations, $3,000
  • Mobile Meals Inc., to promote Mobile Meals' free food and supplement services to LGBTQ+ individuals in greater Akron, $1,250
  • Violet's Cupboard Inc., for safer sex packets for people with HIV, $1,250
  • Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for the production of "Breaking the Code," a play about Alan Turing, an English mathematician who helped secure a victory in World War II by breaking the German cipher but was later prosecuted for his homosexuality, $3,500
  • Western Reserve Public Media, to broadcast "In The Life," a monthly television series documenting the LGBTQ+ experience, $3,680
2009 Grants

In 2009, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 8 grants totaling $29,268 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Battered Women's Shelter, for Reach OUT 2010, which seeks to improve services to LGBTQ+ victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, $4,400
  • CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc., for the "Speak Up Speak Out" youth advocacy unit, which trains advocates for abused and neglected LGBTQ+ youth in the juvenile court system, $4,300
  • Child Guidance & Family Solutions Inc., for a community education project that aims to increase awareness of the consequences of intolerance in the LGBTQ+ population, $2,000
  • Community AIDS Network, to help facilitate the merger of Akron Pride Center with CAN, $5,000
  • Fusion Magazine, to support the magazine, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations, $1,500
  • University of Akron, Women's Studies Department, for the LGBTQ: Inclusion, Advocacy and Empowerment project, a year-long series of programs at the University of Akron, $3,000
  • Violet's Cupboard Inc., to provide peer advocates for people who have recently been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, $5,568
  • Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for the production of "The Sum of Us," a play about the relationship between a widower and his gay son, $3,500
2008 Grants

In 2008, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 9 grants totaling $32,994 to the following nonprofit organizations:

2007 Grants

In 2007, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 6 grants totaling $24,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

2006 Grants

In 2006, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 4 grants totaling $5,980 to the following nonprofit organizations:

  • Diversity Alliance of Stark County Inc., for the Domestic Violence Response Initiative, $300
  • Fusion Magazine, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations, for production and expanded circulation, $2,000
  • Portage Path Community Mental Health Center, for LGBTQ+Pride for Life, an education and support group, $1,680
  • Violet's Cupboard Inc., in collaboration with the Community AIDS Network, to expand HIV counseling and testing, $2,000
2005 Grants

In 2005, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded its first grants totaling $9,000 to the following nonprofit organizations:

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