Capital Grants

In 2024, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $330,000 to 32 nonprofit organizations:

• ACCESS Inc., to support the final phase of roof repair at ACCESS Shelter, $25,000
• Akron AIDS Collaborative, to support renovations at the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ Resource Center, including electrical and plumbing improvements, to allow for an operational laundry room and shower facility, and a food warming center, $20,000
• Akron Art Museum, to support the creation of the Center for Digital Discovery at the museum, which includes digital gallery space, dedicated classroom and educational space, and immersive artist-created spaces for all ages, $15,000
• Akron Civic Theatre, to replace a lighting control console in the main auditorium, $15,000
• Ballet Excel Ohio, to replace the traveling dance floor for free community youth ballet performances, $5,000
• Boy Scouts of America, Great Trail Council, to support the purchase of ceiling and exhaust fans to aid in the preservation of Camp Manatoc's historic dining hall, $5,000
• Building for Tomorrow, to support a science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lab for children at the Reach Opportunity Center in the Summit Lake neighborhood, $10,000
• Caring for Kids, to support renovations to counseling and waiting rooms, among other improvements, for the foster care and adoption mental health facility at a new location, $7,500
• Carve Your Own Path, for improvements for its trauma-informed wellness programming, such as chairs to accommodate individuals with mobility limitations, an accessible printer, and an AV cart for multimedia presentations, $3,000
• CASA Board Volunteer Association, to purchase new laptops for the CASA/GAL team, $10,000
• CHC Addiction Services, to support renovations to the Touchstone facility, $12,000
• Child Guidance & Family Solutions, to support safety enhancements at the central office, including security cameras, emergency lights and signage, $10,000
• Citizens Akron Church, to support The Vincent House dance studio, including flooring, mirrors and lighting, $9,000
• First Congregational Church of Hudson, to build ADA-compliant bathrooms and renovate community use spaces at 915 N. Main St. in North Hill, $10,000
• First Tee - Greater Akron, to improve the driving range space used for golf-based youth development programming, $10,000
• Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, to support stabilization and restoration of Garfield Hall, including floors, windows, electrical work and roof, among other items, $5,000
• Greenleaf Family Center, to enhance security and safety for mental health providers and clients, including electronic locks, card readers and a video doorbell $7,500
• H.M. Life Opportunity Services, for renovation of the agency's Treeside drive property, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation and drywall, to provide permanent supportive housing for families who are homeless, $10,000
• Humane Society of Summit County, to support the construction of a new, purposefully designed shelter/adoption center to serve Summit County's rescued animals and pet owners, $15,000
• Jewish Community Center of Akron, to renovate the community pool's outdoor bathhouse to make it ADA compliant and to add a gender-neutral/family bathroom and changing room, $10,000
• North Coast Community Homes, to upgrade its Summit County homes with keyless entry systems, $5,000
• North Hill Community House, for food pantry and facility improvements, including electrical and plumbing upgrades and insulation, $10,000
• Red Oak Behavioral Health, for the transformation of its outpatient center, including masonry work, new entrances, electrical and roofing, $25,000
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, for enhancements at the Ronald McDonald House of Akron, including renovations to the kitchen and laundry area, $5,000
• Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, to support the Heritage & Hospitality Project, which includes a new outdoor concession stand for visitors, $10,000
• Stewart's Caring Place, to improve physical accessibility at the cancer wellness center, including automatic doors and a concrete ramp for the entrance, $7,500
• Summit Artspace, for improvements to artist-centered public facilities, including renovation of gallery space, HVAC, ceilings, lighting, electrical systems, and door replacement/safety access, $22,500
• Summit Choral Society Inc., to support the implementation of a digital learning platform for youth education, using electronic tablets and digital sheet music, $7,000
• Tri-County Jobs for Ohio's Graduates, to support restroom renovations for ADA compliance and efficiency, $10,000
• Urban Ounce of Prevention Behavioral Health Services Inc., to support access to services for members in the community with mobility issues through the installation of a stairway chair lift, $5,000
• Victory Gallop Inc., to replace two natural gas heaters for the horse barns, $4,000
• Weathervane Community Playhouse, to update the main entrance and increase accessibility for all patrons and participants, $5,000

In 2022, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $300,000 to 41 nonprofit organizations:

• Akron Blind Center, for safety and wellness improvements to the building and property, including driveway leveling, roof repair and the installation of audible emergency evacuation equipment, $5,000
• Akron Children's Museum, to support phase two of the Capital Expansion Campaign, $10,000
• Akron Marathon, for safety, security, and technology updates, $5,000
• Akron Parks Collaborative, to support the creation and installation of the Firestone Park splash pad, $5,000
• Akron Urban League, to support the creation of learning and meeting spaces, $5,000
• Asian Services In Action, to support culturally and linguistically appropriate dental health services among Akron's immigrant and refugee population, $7,500
• AxessPointe Community Health Centers, to support the creation of a new health center in West Akron, $7,500
• Battered Women's Shelter, for enhanced safety and security of its building, $5,000
• The Blick Center, for an accessible redesign of the building's entryway, $5,000
• Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support a three-year capital equipment improvements program, $10,000
• Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture (CATAC), for investment in equipment upgrades that improve community outreach, experience and accessibility, $5,000
• CORE Furniture Bank, to support the purchase of a medium duty box truck, $5,000
• Crown Point Ecology Center, for the purchase of a tractor, essential for growing field food crops and maintaining a prairie habitat, $5,000
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, to support improved ADA accessibility for passengers with mobility limitations, $5,000
• Family Promise of Summit County, to renovate one of Survive to Thrive's first homes, $7,500
• Freedom House for Women, for New Journey Recovery Housing basement waterproofing, $7,500
• Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, for the construction of state-of-the-art STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Ledgewood, which will provide hands-on learning for students during day and overnight programs, $7,500
• Grace House Akron, to support the completion of construction on Grace House, $10,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, for a garage addition that will ensure ample space for vehicles and equipment, $7,500
• Harmony House, for construction of an emergency youth shelter, $7,500
• Keep Akron Beautiful, to replace a dump truck that will support the removal of litter in Akron, $5,000
• Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, to create an office and small business resource space for Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance at 1028 Kenmore Boulevard, $10,000
• Let's Grow Akron Inc., for a walk-in cooler and outdoor kitchen area that will allow the storage of produce before transporting to local food pantries, farmer's markets and community meals, $7,500
• The Nightlight Cinema, to support the expansion of the cinema in downtown Akron, $10,000
• none too fragile, to improve the safety and handicap accessibility of the theatre, $7,500
• North Hill Community Development Corporation, to support upgrades to People's Park, including concrete repairs, lighting upgrades and deck renovations, $5,000
• Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to support the Akron Civic Commons 2.0 Summit Lake Park Project, which will provide accessible, equitable and welcoming parks, trails and open spaces along the towpath, $7,500
• OPEN M, to support critical safety enhancements at the organization's office and warehouse facility, $10,000
• The Peninsula Foundation, to support an ADA accessible addition to G.A.R. Hall, including a pre-event space and two accessible restrooms, $10,000
• Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to purchase more inclusive, extended weight exam tables and chairs, and other essential medical equipment at the Akron health center, $10,000
• Regina Health Center, to support the creation of a safe outdoor gathering space for senior residents to enjoy family visits, spiritual and educational programming and enrichment programs, $7,500
• The Salvation Army of Summit County, to replace buses for the Learning Zone preschool, enabling the organization to provide safe transportation of students, $10,000
• Shelter Care Inc., for creation of a multipurpose room that will be used for family and group counseling sessions, psycho-educational group activities, team meetings and trainings, $10,000
• South Street Ministries, for the renovation of Restoration House, which will offer emergency and transitional reentry housing for women, $10,000
• SWAG, for the purchase of a replacement van, which provides transportation to students during the academic year and summer programming, $5,000
• Truly Reaching You, for phase 2 and 3 renovations to South Street warehouse, an employment training/workforce education hub, $15,000
• Twinsburg Historical Society, to maintain the integrity of the museum and adjacent parking lot, $2,500
• Urban Vision, to support installation of new and updated HVAC systems throughout the facility, $7,500
• Victim Assistance Program, to upgrade outdated technology for victim advocates, $7,500
• The Well CDC, for walk-in cold storage at the Akron Food Works kitchen that will serve current members, attract new members and provide additional options for product distribution, $5,000
• YEPAW, to restore drumline, photography and computer equipment, $5,000

In 2018, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $250,000 to 27 nonprofit organizations:

• Akron Civic Theatre, to support the capital campaign to renovate the theater and create an additional performance venue, $25,000
• Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, for a permanent office facility and warehouse, $7,600
• Akron SCORE, to purchase new conference room equipment and computers, $3,600
• Asian Services in Action, to renovate a new community room that will host language and citizenship classes and other large group gatherings, $20,000
• The Blick Center, to improve accessibility to the building by widening and automating the doors in the main entryway and restroom, $5,000
• Bounce Innovation Hub, to support first-floor renovations for The Generator, a public innovation hub that will feature coworking space, a makerspace and the University of Akron's eSports lab, $15,000
• Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to purchase kitchen equipment for the Urbean Cafe, a workforce development program for formerly incarcerated residents, $5,000
• CASA Board Volunteer Association, to create a respite space for child advocate volunteers, $5,500
• Crown Point Ecology Center, to support greenhouse renovations and the creation of a new honey extraction facility for local beekeepers, $5,000
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, to convert a train car into an "Edu-Trainment Car" that will host interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and educational programs for area children, $10,000
• East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, to construct a new storage facility, $10,000
• Easter Seals of Northeast Ohio, to purchase an adaptive vehicle to transport clients to the Adult Day Center and to create a sensory room for adults with disabilities, $5,000
• Family Promise of Summit County, to secure a new transitional housing building for families facing homelessness, $10,000
• Freedom House for Women, for external building improvements to the New Journey Recovery Housing for women, $6,200
• Good Neighbors, for internal building improvements, including new refrigeration equipment and energy-efficient lights for the food pantry, $4,600
• Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, for improvements to the Romig Road campus, including loading dock repairs and parking lot resurfacing, $10,000
• H.M. Life Opportunity Services, for roof replacements at two supportive housing locations, $10,000
• Legacy III, to renovate the agency's new administrative building, including electrical and plumbing upgrades and roof repairs, $10,000
• OPEN M, for food pantry improvements, including energy-efficient lighting and new doors and flooring for the walk-in freezer and cooler, $5,000
• Portage Path Behavioral Health, for repairs to the Akron outpatient clinic, including masonry work, weather sealing and painting, $5,000
• Stark State College, for the construction of a commercial driver's license training facility, $20,000
• Summit County Historical Society, to improve accessibility at the John Brown House for people with disabilities, $10,000
• Summit Metro Parks Foundation, to convert a historic barn into a welcome center at the new Valley View park, $10,000
• Truly Reaching You, to renovate the agency's new employment training facility on East South Street, $12,500
• VANTAGE Aging, for capital improvements to the behavioral health center on Romig Road, $10,000
• Victim Assistance Program, for construction and relocation costs to combine the agency's service providers and administrative staff under one roof, $7,500
• Weathervane Community Playhouse, to replace wireless microphones for theatrical productions, $2,500