Women's Endowment Fund
Inspiring, empowering, and uplifting women and girls
Akron Community Foundation
In 1993, a group of 100 women came together with one goal in mind: to make a difference in the lives of local women and girls. Seeing a need for funding to support programs that empower this population, the women each gave $1,000 to establish the Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation.
Three decades later, the Women's Endowment Fund has grown to nearly $6 million, thanks to the generosity of donors who are committed to the advancement of local women and girls, including members of the fund's Circle of Empowerment. To date, the Women's Endowment Fund has awarded nearly $2.7 million in grants to programs that uplift, empower, and educate women and girls throughout Akron and all of Summit County. The fund's biennial forum helps define the Women's Endowment Fund's grantmaking priorities, which include health and wellness, safety from violence, and economic empowerment.
"For Women, Forever" | Circle of Empowerment | Forum Report | Our Donors | Newsletter | Videos | 30th Anniversary Timeline
Our Recent Grants
By the Numbers
Nearly
$6 Million
in charitable assets
Nearly
$2.7 Million
in grants given
Since
1993
founding year
Advisory Board
Advisory board members serve without pay to help the fund impact the lives of Summit County's women and girls.
Erin Leppo Palmer
PresidentCFO & In-House Legal Counsel
Leppo Group Inc.
V. Rena Suber, M.Ed
Vice PresidentChief School Administrator
Emmanuel Christian Academy
Joni Fitch
SecretaryDirector, Community Affairs & Engagement
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Renee Lucas Scherick
TreasurerSenior Foundation and Corporate Relations Officer
Kent State University
Holly Harris Bane
Director, Economic DevelopmentCity of Aurora
Partner
Kokopelli Coaching and Consulting
Dr. Angela Brake
Program FacilitatorLeadership Akron
Marie Brilmyer
PartnerCohen & Company
Emily Browning
Director, Strategy and Consumer InsightsAkron Children's
Donna Cerdas-Delgado
Senior Digital MarketerSumma Health
Betsy Engels
President and Principal ConsultantAcer Business
Lashawrida Fellows
Deputy Director of Human ResourcesCity of Akron
CJ Haines
SVP of Power & Governmental AffairsCore Scientific
Kimberly Huff
Community Relations Representative, Synthomer Foundation
Rachel Hurst
PresidentH Cap Connect LLC
Jolene Lane
Principal & FounderEquity Lane LLC
Holli Mallak
Real Estate Project ManagerAkron Metropolitan Housing Authority
Hope McGonigle
MediatorAkron Municipal Court
Jen Meade
Fund Development DirectorThe Well CDC
Alisa Benedict O'Brien
Assistant Dean for Career Services and Strategic InitiativesThe University of Akron Law School
Torey Tolson
Community Involvement ConsultantFirstEnergy
Monica Vinay
Vice President, Investor Relations & TreasurerMyers Industries Inc.
Sonya Y. Williams
Executive Director, University Outreach and EngagementKent State University
Rebecca (Becky) Guzy Woodford
Community Advocate
News & Events
News
From WEF's President: Celebrating Strength in Action
As we welcome the energy and renewal that come with the changing season, I am reminded of the power of growth – both in nature and within our community. Spring invites us [...]
Women's Endowment Fund announces nearly $200K in grants at "For Women, Forever" celebration
Bernett L. Williams presented with Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation announced 39 [...]
Women's Endowment Fund Videos