Civic Affairs Grants

In 2025, Akron Community Foundation awarded $647,500* in Civic Affairs cycle grants.

• Akron Cooperative Farms, to support urban farming, sustainable growing practices, and education, as well as social entrepreneurship and community-building opportunities for resettled residents in North Hill and Greater Akron, $5,500
• Akron History Center, to support operations of a free, museum-quality exhibit about the 200-year history of Akron as part of the city's 2025 Bicentennial celebration, $11,000
• Akron Marathon, to support the Akron Marathon Race Series, along with a health and wellness initiative for Summit County businesses and organizations, $10,000
• Akron Parks Collaborative, to support Friends of Parks groups and their work in planning programming and beautification for neighborhood parks, $8,000
• Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, to support Rotary Camp's century-long mission of providing inclusive, therapeutic camp experiences for children and adults with developmental, physical and mental health disabilities., $12,500
• Akron-Summit County Public Library, to support the expansion of multilingual collections for Akron's diverse neighborhoods, expanding access to key neighborhood branches in North Hill, Firestone Park and Goodyear Heights, $5,000
• Akron Urban League, for operating support to provide workforce development, anti-recidivism, minority entrepreneurship, and education programs throughout Summit County, $30,000
• Better Kenmore Community Development Corporation, to support the ongoing revitalization of the Kenmore community and Kenmore Boulevard, $17,500
• Big Love Network, to help residents better connect with their neighborhoods through initiatives that enhance community engagement, improve air quality, reduce neighborhood pollution, expand the tree canopy, and promote urban farming, $7,500
• Bounce Innovation Hub, to support efforts to strengthen Greater Akron's entrepreneurial ecosystem through strategic convening, collaborative programming, and implementation of the Spark Akron initiative, $10,000
• Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support workforce development and economic development initiatives in Summit County, $13,000
• Business Volunteers Unlimited, to strengthen Summit County nonprofits through expert consulting, leadership training, and strategic capacity-building services that enhance long-term impact and sustainability, $8,000
• Candid, to support nonprofits in Summit County with free access to fundraising, nonprofit management, and capacity-building materials and services, $5,000
• CASA Board Volunteer Association, for operating support, including recruiting, screening, training and supporting community volunteers who serve as advocates for abused and neglected children involved in the juvenile court system, $17,000
• City of Green, to support the city's strategic efforts to position itself as a vibrant visitor destination by identifying key assets, engaging community partners, and laying the groundwork for long-term economic and civic development through destination marketing planning, $5,000
• Community Life Collaborative, to support native tree plantings throughout Akron in neighborhoods with low tree canopy, along with education about caring for the trees, $3,500
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, for operating support, which includes educational programs, community partnerships and public events, as well as remediation work at the former Brandywine Golf Course, $45,000
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, for operating support, including affordable programming for residents taking train rides, and maintenance of vintage rail equipment, $30,000
• Downtown Akron Partnership, for operating support for downtown Akron business attraction, residential occupancy, public space enhancement and economic development initiatives, $22,500
• Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership Inc., to support outreach, marketing and programming that elevate downtown visibility, strengthen small-business connections, and foster community engagement during a period of infrastructure disruption, $5,000
• Dr. Bob's Home, to support educational programming, visitor engagement, and preservation efforts at the historic birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, a site visited by thousands annually for its cultural and spiritual significance, $7,500
• The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), to support business development, financial literacy, and affordable capital access for aspiring entrepreneurs, $5,000
• First Congregational Church of Hudson, to support expanded outreach, programming and community engagement as First Serve deepens its presence in North Hill through its relocation to the 915 North Main Street Community Hub, $11,500
• First Tee - Greater Akron, to support the continuation of intern programming to assist with setup and logistics for a program that integrates golf with a life skills curriculum, $8,000
• Friends of Metro Parks, for operating support, including programs that increase accessibility and connect community members with nature, $5,000
• Fund for Our Economic Future of Northeast Ohio, to help reduce income disparities, create job opportunities, and promote green economy development through multisector collaboration, $10,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, to support the implementation of the New Home Construction program, which purchases new affordable homes for families in need, $15,500
• Humane Society of Summit County, for animal intake care, vaccination, testing and microchipping of Summit County's rescued cats and dogs, $20,000
• Ideastream Public Media, to support the production and distribution of in-depth, community-centered news and programming that informs and engages Summit County residents across multiple public media platforms, $10,000
• International Soap Box Derby, to support and sustain the All-American racing program, STEM education programs and community events, $16,000
• Keep Akron Beautiful, to support litter removal, illegal dumping removal and community cleanups in Akron, $15,500
• Leadership Akron, for the Signature Program 43 Opening Retreat and Junior Leadership Akron Class 39 Philanthropy Project, $17,500
• Legacies of Success Community Development Corporation, to support affordable homeownership in North Hill by rehabilitating a distressed property for a family facing barriers to owning a home, $6,000
• Love Akron, for operating support, including grief recovery programming, the JEDI experience, and the Locker Room Experience mentorship program for students, $5,000
• MORTAR, to support the relaunch of the MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy in Akron, providing culturally competent training, coaching and resources for historically marginalized entrepreneurs in partnership with the Akron Urban League, $2,500
• North Hill Community Development Corporation, for operating support, including economic development, arts and culture programming, and programs that address critical needs in housing, entrepreneurship and intergenerational leadership in the North Hill neighborhood, $18,000
• Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to support Akron Civic Commons' Summit Lake Environmental Stewardship program, which engages local students and other community members in cleanup and guided canal trips to encourage environmental responsibility, $15,000
• People Feeding People, to support a mobile program that delivers tenant rights education and civic engagement resources directly to renters through neighborhood-based outreach and grocery distribution sites, $5,000
• Progressive Alliance Community Development Corporation Inc., to foster workforce development and promote the growth of microenterprises in the West Hill community, $5,000
• Safety Forces Support Center, for mental health counseling and peer support services for first responders in Summit County, $10,500
• SCORE, to provide counseling and workshops for small businesses and startups in Greater Akron, $10,000
• Scouting America, Great Trail Council, to support career exploration and workforce development opportunities for Greater Akron and Summit County youth through the Exploring program, $11,000
• Shanti Community Farms, to support urban farming, promote sustainable growing practices, and provide education and entrepreneurial opportunities for students and immigrant families, $8,000
• Signal Ohio, to support Signal Akron, a nonprofit newsroom serving Akron communities that is anchored in and reflective of residents' needs, $25,000
• South Street Ministries, to support reentry and community engagement initiatives, $20,000
• Summit Metro Parks Foundation, to support programming for immigrants and refugees, along with volunteer coordination software, $12,500
• Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners, to support native pollinator and rain gardens, invasive removal, watershed education, urban restoration, and a pilot green workforce program to improve watershed health in Summit County, $3,500
• Torchbearers, for operating support of leadership and development programming and the 2026 Membership Kickoff Retreat, $4,000
• Truly Reaching You, to support successful reentry for men through employment skills training, $12,000
• Trust for Public Land, to protect and conserve land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come in Summit County, $5,000
• Unify America, to support Akron's first Civic Assembly and to build a local civic problem-solving infrastructure, $7,500
• Weaver Industries Inc., to support the expansion of year-round employment services that provide individualized career planning, training and job support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Summit County, $6,000
• Well Community Development Corporation, to support a holistic approach to community and economic development in Akron's Middlebury neighborhood, $18,500
• West Hill Neighborhood Organization, to address the digital divide in Akron's West Hill neighborhood with the creation of physical newsletters and leaflets for resident engagement, $5,000
• Western Reserve Land Conservancy, for operational support, including restoring habitats and creating healthy urban environments with greenspaces and natural areas, $5,000
• Youth Success Summit, to support a citywide Summer for All initiative that activates Akron's civic and cultural assets to help build essential skills for youth and strengthen community engagement, $15,000

*Includes contributions through Akron Community Foundation's co-investment program, which enables donor-advised fundholders to review the board's competitive grant applications and support initiatives that align with their charitable interests.