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In 2018, Akron Community Foundation announced the creation of a new grant cycle devoted to capital improvements. The community foundation will offer grants every other year to nonprofits that need funding to renovate or repair their buildings or property, or to purchase equipment essential to the organization’s ability to deliver quality programming to its clients.

Capital grants typically range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are available to current recipients of the foundation's competitive grant cycles, as well as to organizations with agency endowment funds at Akron Community Foundation. It is strongly recommended that at least 50% of the funds needed for the project are secured before applying. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a physical location in Summit County are eligible to apply. To learn more, contact John Garofalo.

Since 2018, Akron Community Foundation has invested $550,000 into capital improvements for our community's nonprofits.

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 Café, 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

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