Civic Affairs Grants

In 2023, Akron Community Foundation awarded $639,000* in competitive Civic Affairs cycle grants to programs that build a thriving workforce, connect people to nature, and support neighborhood beautification efforts, among other civic initiatives.

• Akron Cooperative Farms, to support urban farming, sustainable growing practices and education, and community building in North Hill and Greater Akron, $5,000
• Akron Development Corporation, to support local Community Development Corporations (CDCs) through technical assistance and coaching, along with convening funders and other sector partners, $10,000
• Akron Marathon, for support of the Akron Marathon Race Series, along with a health & 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, $6,000
• Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, to provide financial assistance for children and adults with special needs to attend camp, $12,000
• Akron Urban Agriculture, to support Akron Urban Farms, which provides education, marketing, training and volunteers for gardeners and urban farmers, $2,500
• Akron Urban League, for operating support in areas of workforce development, entrepreneurship, and education in Summit County, $35,000
• Big Love Network, to support Akron City Repair, creative placemaking projects that help residents better connect with their neighborhoods, $7,500
• Business Volunteers Unlimited, to subsidize capacity-building services in Summit County that include consulting, IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and access) initiatives, and leadership training services, $7,500
• 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 juvenile court, $17,000
• Cascade Locks Park Association, to support the design and implementation of several murals along the towpath trail at the Lock 15 Trailhead, $7,500
• Community Life Collaborative, to support Bees, Bugs and Butterflies: How Pollinators Help the Cuyahoga Region Bloom exhibit, pollinator gardens and programs, $5,000
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, for operating support, and for the former Brandywine Golf Course, $45,000
• ConxusNEO, to support a connected talent ecosystem and build a thriving workforce through work-based and experiential learning, employee-led activities and other initiatives, $20,000
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, for operating support, including relocation operations to Peninsula and a temporary maintenance shop, along with affordable programming for residents, educational field trips and maintenance of vintage rail equipment, $31,000
• Downtown Akron Partnership, for operating support for downtown Akron planning, business attraction, residential occupancy, public space enhancement and economic development initiatives, $20,000
• Dr. Bob’s Home, for general support 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, $8,500
• Fighting To Understand, to help develop the Dinner-and-a-Fight (Dialogue) through collaboration with other organizations, and expand use of digital democracy tools to form a disagreement-learning-community, $5,000
• First Congregational Church of Hudson, to support the First Serve summer intern program, $10,000
• Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, for operating support, including programs, displays, guided hikes and restoration of the historic and natural features and educational resources, $5,000
• First Tee - Greater Akron, to support the continuation of intern programming, $7,500
• Fund for Our Economic Future of Northeast Ohio, for support of inclusive economic development, including relationship-building initiatives, tools and analysis, and other resources, $32,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, to support neighborhood revitalization initiatives, like Neighborhood Network, affordable new home construction and selling salvaged materials through ReStore retail outlets, $15,000
• Heart to Heart Leadership, to support up to 10 leaders from diverse backgrounds to participate in the Purposeful Leadership Program, $8,500
• 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 community interest public media coverage and engagement in Summit County, $8,500
• International Soap Box Derby, for operating support to continue Soap Box Derby races and educational programs, like STEM Team Competition and summer camps, $29,000
• International Welcome Center, to support operations and programs assisting refugees/immigrants, like legal services, household items, life skills and transportation, $3,000
• Jump On Board for Success, to support a job skills training and mentoring program for low-income girls and women ages 13-35, $5,750
• 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, $17,500
• Leadership Akron, to support the Signature Class 41 Opening Retreat and the Junior Class 37 Philanthropy Day, $14,000
• Legacies of Success Community Development Corporation, to support affordable homeownership in North Hill, $5,750
• North Akron Community Development Corporation, for operating support, including support of entrepreneurial growth and creating sustainable public spaces, $17,500
• Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to support the Akron Civic Commons, Summit Lake Environmental Stewardship program, $15,000
• 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, $13,500
• Shanti Community Farms, to support Yard Corps Youth in outdoor maintenance work, career training and performance arts, $5,000
• Signal Ohio, to support the launch of Signal Akron, a local newsroom serving Akron communities that is anchored in and reflective of residents’ needs, $25,000
• South Street Ministries, to support reentry and community engagement, $20,000
• Summit Metro Parks Foundation, for community-responsive programming at the Summit Lake Nature Center, $12,500
• Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners, to support the development and implementation of a new program and certificate for Summit County high school students, $2,500
• Torchbearers, to support the Envisioning Waters Park Community Amphitheater Shelter program, $5,000
• Truly Reaching You, to support successful reentry for men through employment skills training, $11,000
• Well Community Development Corporation, to help support Career Development training courses to enable residents to participate in traditional job searches, along with peer-to-peer support and other activities, $17,500
• Western Reserve Community Fund Inc., for operations, including restoring habitats, and creating healthy urban environments with greenspaces and natural areas, $5,000