Civic Affairs Grants

In 2022, Akron Community Foundation awarded $581,250* in competitive Civic Affairs cycle grants to programs that provide camps for children, support small businesses and care for animals, among other civic initiatives.

• Akron Marathon, to support 20-year enhancements, like course modifications, marketing, digital enhancements, and livestreaming the event, $12,500
• Akron Parks Collaborative, to support Friends of Parks groups and their work in planning programming and beautification for neighborhood parks, $6,000
• Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, to help cover registration fees for children and adults with special needs who attend overnight, day and respite camps, $11,000
• Akron Urban Agriculture, to support Akron Urban Farms, creating green urban spaces that feature community gardens, along with offering training volunteers and urban gardeners, $2,500
• Akron Urban League, for operating support in areas of workforce development, entrepreneurship, and education in Summit County, $30,000
• Alexander Guyton (FA: Summit Artspace), to support production, post-production and exhibition costs for a documentary about The University of Akron mascot "Zippy," $2,500
• Big Love Network, to support Akron City Repair, creative placemaking projects that help residents better connect with their neighborhoods, $7,500
• Bounce Innovation Hub, to support capacity-building and workshops to engage creatives, the public, and entrepreneurs, $11,000
• Business Volunteers Unlimited, to support capacity-building services in Summit County that include consulting, Inclusion Diversity Equity & Access (IDEA) initiatives, and leadership training services, $7,500
• Candid, to support local nonprofits and community organizations with free access to fundraising, nonprofit management, and capacity-building materials and services, $5,000
• CASA Board Volunteer Association, to recruit, screen, train, and support community volunteers who serve as advocates for abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court, $17,000
• City of Akron, Ohio, to support the Mayor's Citizens Institute civic engagement program, $5,000
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, for operating support and for the acquisition of the former Brandywine Golf Course, $46,000
• ConxusNEO, to support a connected talent ecosystem to build a thriving workforce, $20,000
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, to provide affordable programming for residents, educational field trips, and maintenance of vintage rail equipment, $30,000
• Downtown Akron Partnership, for operating support for downtown Akron planning, business attraction, residential occupancy, public space enhancement, and economic development initiatives, $18,000
• Dr. Bob’s Home, for the upkeep of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Dr. Bob’s home, along with surrounding properties, $5,000
• The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), to support Akron-area small-business owners through financing, workshops, events and training, $7,500
• Fighting To Understand, to train local facilitators in the Dinner and a Fight Dialogue 5-chair process, which encourages constructive disagreement to help residents better understand complicated topics, $2,500
• First Congregational Church of Hudson, to support the First Serve summer intern program, $7,000
• First Tee of Greater Akron, to expand capacity by adding a new college internship program, $7,500
• Friends of Metro Parks, to help connect people to nature through membership and outreach programs, advocacy, and fundraisers, $5,000
• Fund for Our Economic Future of Northeast Ohio, for inclusive economic development, including creating a forum for regional philanthropic and civic leaders, $34,000
• GASP: Guardians Advocating Child Safety and Protection, for child safety activities, including creating child ID fingerprint kits, educational safety programs, and attending local events, $5,500
• Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, to support neighborhood revitalization initiatives, like Neighborhood Network, which creates affordable new home construction and sells salvaged materials through ReStore retail outlets, $15,000
• Heart to Heart Leadership, to support up to ten leaders from diverse backgrounds to participate in the Purposeful Leadership Program for Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 expeditions, $8,500
• Humane Society of Summit County, for animal intake care, vaccination, testing and microchipping of Summit County’s rescued cats and dogs, $16,000
• Ideastream Public Media, to support community interest public media coverage and engagement in Summit County, $7,750
• International Soap Box Derby, for operating support to continue Soap Box Derby races and educational programs, like STEM Team Competition and summer camps, $26,000
• International Welcome Center, to support operations and programs assisting refugees and immigrants, including legal services, household items, life skills and transportation, $2,500
• Jump On Board for Success, to support a job skills training and mentoring program for low-income girls and women ages 13-35, $5,500
• Karen Community of Akron Inc., to support the Karen National Martyrs’ Day Celebration Event, $7,500
• Keep Akron Beautiful, to support litter removal, illegal dumping removal, and community cleanups in Akron, $15,000
• Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, to support the ongoing revitalization of the Kenmore community and Akron’s largest neighborhood business district, Kenmore Boulevard, $16,000
• Leadership Akron, to support the Signature Class 40 Opening Retreat and the Junior Class 36 Philanthropy Day, $14,000
• North Akron Community Development Corporation, for operations, including support of entrepreneurial growth through culinary, maker and arts pipelines, along with creating sustainable public spaces, $16,000
• Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to support the Akron Civic Commons, Summit Lake Environmental Stewardship program, $15,000
• The Porchlight Project, to provide DNA testing for Ohio cold cases, $2,500
• Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio, for operating support, including helping Summit County homeowners with home repairs and modifications, $16,000
• Safety Forces Support Center, for mental health counseling and peer support services for first responders in Summit County, $10,000
• SCORE, to provide counseling and workshops for small businesses and startups in Greater Akron, $10,000
• South Street Ministries, to support reentry and community engagement, $17,500
• Summit Metro Parks Foundation, to support the Community Archaeology Summer Program, which helps college students gain skills for future archeological careers, $12,500
• Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners, for support of watershed attainment, including residential outreach, education and events, $2,500
• True Vision Community Development Corporation, to support Pathways to Vision, which provides support and resources to help individuals and households achieve self-sustainability, $5,000
• Truly Reaching You, to support successful reentry for men through employment skills training, $10,000
• Well Community Development Corporation, to support a Resident Services Department for Middlebury residents, $15,000
• Western Reserve Community Fund Inc., for operations, including supporting small businesses and nonprofit organizations with financing and technical support, $10,000