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Since 2000, Akron Community Foundation has invested $11.5 million* in health and human services programs all over Greater Akron to enrich our collective quality of life.

Nonprofits interested in applying for a Health & Human Services cycle grant can review deadlines and other important information on our Competitive Grants page.

*Supplemented by donor-advised fund co-investment funding

In 2023, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $755,000 to 68 nonprofit organizations:

  • A Kid Again Northern Ohio, to maintain the Adventure programming for Summit County families, providing children who have a life-threatening condition and their families with a cost-free day at a local, accessible venue like Cedar Point or the I-X Center, $7,000
  • Adaptive Sports Ohio, to provide wheelchairs for the creation of an interscholastic wheelchair basketball team in the Green Local School District, $6,000
  • Adult Guardianship Services of Summit County, to recruit volunteer guardians, who serve as decision-makers for older adults with developmental delays and severe mental health issues, while increasing the knowledge base of current guardians, $5,000
  • Akron Blind Center, to offer programs, resources and classes for people who are blind and visually impaired in Summit County, including Braille, computer literacy, physical fitness, crafts and volunteerism, $10,000
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support Summit County food distribution through Akron on-site pantry and Summit County direct distribution, $46,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support a Photovoice project, which will engage North Hill youth to examine and document health equity through photography, writing and a presentation, $8,000
  • Akron Police Department, to support a comprehensive health and wellness program that provides sworn officers and other personnel with mental, emotional and physical wellness, $15,000
  • American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region, to support disaster cycle services in Summit County, including preparedness classes, disaster response and recovery assistance, $17,500
  • ARC Recovery Services, to provide certified peer support to individuals in early recovery from a substance use disorder, $7,500
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron, to support inclusive social and recreational opportunities through social clubs for individuals of all ages with autism, $6,000
  • AxessPointe Community Health Centers, to support health and wellness in individuals from marginalized communities throughout Summit County through medical care, education and outreach, $11,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support the Hope & Healing Case Management Program for people who have experienced domestic/sexual violence or human trafficking, $37,000
  • Ben Curtis Family Foundation, to address the food insecurity of children and families in Summit County by distributing Birdie Bags containing nonperishable meals and snacks, $5,000
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support programs like residential recovery, mentoring and workforce development for former offenders in Summit County, helping to remove barriers that lead to recidivism, $13,000
  • Canine Companions, to support service dog teams in Summit County, $5,000
  • Carve Your Own Path, for inclusive, certified culturally competent, trauma-informed counseling services for uninsured individuals and those with low incomes, $5,000
  • Catholic Charities of Summit County, to support emergency assistance services, like medical bills, home repairs, medical supplies, phone bills and other basic needs, $17,500
  • Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative, to support a food pantry that serves allergy-friendly food to families with low incomes, $5,000
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide school-appropriate clothing for students in need, $11,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to support the HEAL medical-legal partnership work in Summit County, helping families whose legal needs have adverse effects on their health, $25,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, for operating support, like the transport and handling of donated furniture for families in need in Summit County, $10,000
  • Crown Point Ecology Center, to support increased fresh produce and vegetable plant donations to the community by training paid farm interns, $12,000
  • Embracing Futures, to provide orthodontic treatment for children in need, $4,000
  • Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity, to provide food and other resources to Akron-area residents, $5,000
  • Family and Community Services, to address older adult hunger in Summit County by providing home-delivered and congregate meals, $20,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County, to support the organization's growth, including the evolution of Survive to Thrive and implementation of a new strategic plan, $15,000
  • First Glance Student Center, to support children and families in the Kenmore community through free meals, youth mentorship, and after-school programs for local teens, $8,500
  • Forever R Children, to assist children and their immediate families with basic needs, like toiletries, clothes and household items, $7,500
  • Forget-Me-Not Baskets, to support a bereavement program at local hospitals for families who have experienced a loss during pregnancy or childbirth, $5,000
  • Freedom House for Women, to provide substance abuse treatment, recovery housing and supportive services to women in Summit County, $9,000
  • Girls On the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a running-based youth enrichment program for Summit County girls with an interactive curriculum that builds confidence and character, $10,000
  • Grace House Akron, to provide caregiving, housing and for the basic needs of unhoused individuals with a terminal illness, $9,500
  • Greenleaf Family Center, to support parents of children with mental health and other complex needs, $10,000
  • GriefCare Place, for support groups and other programs for residents grieving the loss of a loved one, $3,000
  • Guy's and Gal's Community Partnership, to support the Hoop for Coop adult and youth health fair and basketball sports clinics, $10,000
  • Hope Meadows Foundation, to provide social and emotional learning through equine-assisted services for youth in Summit County, $5,000
  • Hospice of the Western Reserve, to support Summit County residents by reducing inequality in hospice and palliative care utilization through outreach, communications, education/awareness, and reducing health care costs, $5,000
  • IBH Addiction Recovery, for support of addiction treatment, including case management, referrals and counseling, $10,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to support housing services for refugees and immigrants, $23,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron, to support general operations, including older adult and mental health services in Akron, $10,000
  • Let's Grow Akron, to create and support community food gardens in neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food, $15,000
  • Love Akron, to support mental health and wellness and to empower young adults to help reduce violence across Greater Akron, $16,000
  • NAMI Summit County, to support the Reedy Housewarming Project, which provides basic household items for people with a serious mental illness who are transitioning to independent living, $7,500
  • North Coast Community Homes, to support the Akron/Summit County Residential Services Program, which provides home goods and skill development programs for individuals with disabilities and severe and persistent mental illness, $2,500
  • NEOMED, to support the Student-Run Free Clinic to provide integrated health care services to Summit County residents who are uninsured or underinsured, $12,500
  • OhioGuidestone, to support the expansion of evidence-based therapeutic approaches by enhancing training for Summit County staff members, $7,500
  • Open Arms Adoptions, to support the recruitment of Summit County individuals and families to adopt children from foster care, $7,000
  • OPEN M, to support free medical and dental services for uninsured residents of Greater Akron, $21,000
  • Pathway Caring for Children, to support targeted foster parent recruitment efforts in Summit County, $2,500
  • Pegasus Farm, to support the Military and First Responders Center's equestrian program, $3,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to ensure stable access to affordable contraception for Akron patients in need, $25,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, for the Vision Care Outreach Program, which offers vision screenings and access to eye care for Summit County residents in need, $9,000
  • Project Outrun, to provide custom shoes and apparel that empower and strengthen children and their families as they battle life-threatening illnesses, $5,000
  • RAHAB Ministries, for intervention services for people who have experienced human trafficking, $20,000
  • Red Oak Behavioral Health, to address the behavioral health workforce shortage through an on-the-job training program for behavioral support specialists who work with Akron Public Schools students, $10,000
  • Regina Health Center, to support recreational programming for older adults, $1,000
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, to support the Family Meal Program, which provides home-cooked meals to families staying at the Akron Ronald McDonald House, $10,000
  • Second Chance Village, for peer recovery support services and mobile outreach drop-in services for people experiencing homelessness, $3,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to increase awareness of no-cost cancer support services in communities that experience cancer-related health disparities, $6,000
  • Summit County Community Partnership, to support the Deterra Project, which provides free medicine disposal bags and educational materials to help residents safely use, store and dispose of prescription medicine, $10,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to support free fatherhood classes and services through a community partnership, $15,000
  • United Disability Services, to support employment services like job exploration, skills assessment, interviewing and soft-skills training for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • United Way of Summit & Medina, to support the 2-1-1 Information and Referral helpline for Summit County residents, $15,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to support Home Wellness Solutions, which includes home care, Meals on Wheels, behavioral health, and other services to help older adults remain in their homes, $21,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to assist individuals who have experienced crime or trauma through advocacy, education, and support, $22,500
  • Victory Gallop, for operating support, including a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $6,000
  • Women Revived Ministries, to support the Total Life Wellness program, which provides mentorship, professional development, and coaching for people who have experienced human trafficking, $5,000
  • Women's Auxiliary Board, Summit County Children Services, to support the Beds for Kids Program, which aims to prevent rollover deaths by providing beds and cribs to families in need, $8,000

In 2022, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $726,609 to 66 nonprofit organizations:

  • A Kid Again Northern Ohio, to support therapeutic recreation opportunities for families with children who have life-threatening conditions, $5,750
  • ACCESS, to support the emergency shelter for unhoused women and children, $19,500
  • Akron Blind Center, to offer programs, resources, and classes for the blind and visually impaired in Summit County, including braille, computer literacy, physical fitness, crafts, and volunteerism, $10,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support child injury prevention through home safety kits for low-income families, $8,000
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support food distribution and hunger relief programs in Summit County, $46,000
  • American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region, to support disaster cycle services in Summit County, including preparedness classes, disaster response and recovery assistance, $15,000
  • Asian Services In Action, Inc. (ASIA), to imbed mental health programming and activities within the International Community Empowerment Project (ICEP) that serves immigrants and refugee youth, $17,500
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron, to expand inclusive social and recreational opportunities for individuals with autism, $5,000
  • AxessPointe Community Health Centers, to support health and wellness in individuals from marginalized communities throughout Summit County through medical care, education, and outreach, $12,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support crisis intervention services for victims of domestic and/or sexual violence, $37,500
  • Ben Curtis Family Foundation, to address the food insecurity of children and families in Summit County by providing non-perishable meals and other items to local students, $2,500
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support programs like residential recovery, mentoring and workforce development for former offenders in Summit County, helping to remove barriers that lead to recidivism, $12,500
  • Buddy Up For Life, to offer tennis, fitness, and summer camps for people with Down Syndrome, $2,000
  • Canine Companions, to provide service dogs at no cost to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities in Summit County, $5,000
  • Catholic Charities of Summit County, to support emergency assistance services, like medical bills, home repairs, medical supplies, phone bills, and other basic needs, $17,500
  • Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative, to support a food pantry that serves allergy-friendly food to low-income families, $3,000
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide school appropriate clothing to low-income students, $11,000
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to improve healthcare access for refugees in the North Hill neighborhood, including referrals, health screenings, and Medicaid enrollments, $10,750 
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to support Project HEAL, a medical-legal partnership that helps families whose legal needs have adverse effects on their health, $25,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, for operating support, like the transport and handling of donated furniture for families in need in Summit County, $9,000
  • Crown Point Ecology Center, to support increased fresh produce and vegetable plant donations to the community with farm interns, $10,000
  • Embracing Futures, to provide orthodontic treatment for children in poor and working poor families, $4,000
  • Empower Her Network, to help human trafficking survivors achieve fiscal independence, $13,000
  • Family and Community Services, to address senior hunger in Summit County by providing home-delivered and congregate meals, $20,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County, for the Survive to Thrive program, which helps families facing homelessness achieve sustainable homeownership, $10,000
  • First Glance Student Center, to support mentoring and outreach programs for teens in Kenmore, $8,000
  • Forever R Children, to assist children and their immediate families with basic food needs, $2,500
  • Forget-Me-Not Baskets, to support Akron hospitals' pregnancy bereavement program for families that experience a loss during pregnancy or childbirth, $5,000
  • Freedom House for Women, to decrease the barriers of addiction and homelessness by providing substance abuse treatment, recovery housing and supportive services to women in Summit County, $10,500
  • Girls On the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a physical activity-based youth development program for Summit County girls in high poverty neighborhoods that integrates running with an interactive curriculum that promotes confidence, character, and contribution, $9,750
  • Grace House Akron, to provide access to end-of-life care for low- to moderate-income residents in Greater Akron, $6,000
  • Greenleaf Family Center, to expand the PEERS program to meet the growing need for support by parents of children challenged with mental health and other complex needs, $11,000
  • GriefCare Place, for support groups and other programs for residents grieving the loss of a loved one, $3,000
  • Guy's and Gal's Community Partnership, to support the Hoop for Coop adult and youth health fair and basketball sports clinics, $10,000
  • Harmony House, to provide case management, independent living skills development, legal support, financial literacy, and employment and career advancement for young people ages 18-26 facing homelessness, $8,250
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, to provide support programming for young people whose families are living in the organization's permanent supportive housing while transitioning out of homelessness, $6,000
  • Hope United, to support families grieving the loss of a loved one to overdose or addiction, $5,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to support an extended social services program for refugees and immigrants, $21,000
  • IBH Addiction Recovery, for support of addiction treatment, including case management, referrals, and counseling, $10,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron, to support general operations for older adult and mental health services in Akron, $10,000
  • Let's Grow Akron, for operating support, including access to healthy food, for low-income residents, neighborhood farmers markets, community gardens, and educational programs, $12,500
  • LINKS Community and Family Services, to support the LINKS Senior Connection Program, including meals, cognitive care, medical resources, and community activities, $12,500
  • Miracles on Wheels, to provide cars to low-income families, $4,000
  • The Mode, to provide addiction treatment programs such as intensive outpatient, individual sessions, family education and support, and partial hospitalization, $5,000
  • NAMI Summit County, to support the Reedy Housewarming Project, which provides new, basic household items for people with serious mental illness who are transitioning to independent living, $5,000
  • Open Arms Adoptions, to support adoption of infants and children with special needs, along with the Keeping Siblings Together program, $7,000
  • OPEN M, to support free medical and dental services for uninsured residents of Greater Akron, $23,000
  • Pegasus Farm, to support the Military Family Center Equestrian Program, $2,500
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to support long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) for low-income women at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio's Akron Health Center, $23,000
  • Popeye's Boxing Gym, to promote the sport of boxing by providing opportunities to underprivileged children, adults, and families, $3,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, for the Vision Care Outreach Program, which offers vision screenings and access to eye care for high-risk individuals in Summit County, $8,000
  • Project Outrun, to provide custom shoes and apparel that empower and strengthen children and their families as they battle life threatening illnesses, $5,000
  • RAHAB Ministries, for intervention services for victims of human trafficking, $20,000
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, to support Summit County families staying together and near their hospitalized children, $10,000
  • Safe Families for Children Alliance, to help reduce the number of children in foster care in Summit County by mentoring parents and helping families in crisis, $5,000
  • Sarah's House, to support the continuation of Senior Community Circles, a program that allows the older adult population to gather for guest speakers, social interaction, and activities, $2,500
  • Second Chance Village, to support mobile services for local people facing homelessness, $2,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to create awareness of free support services available to individuals and families impacted by cancer in low-income, refugee, and LGBTQ+ communities, $5,000
  • Summit County Community Partnership, to support the Deterra Project, providing free medicine disposal bags and educational materials to help residents safely use, store, and dispose of unused prescription medicine, $10,359
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to support free fatherhood classes and services through a community partnership, $15,000
  • United Disability Services, to support employment services, like job exploration, skills assessment, interviewing, and soft-skills training, for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • United Way of Summit & Medina, to support the 2-1-1 Information and Referral helpline for Summit County residents, $15,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, for support of Home Wellness Solutions, which includes home care, Meals on Wheels, behavioral health, and other services to help older adults remain in their homes, $21,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to assist individuals who are victimized by crime, and those who have experienced trauma, through advocacy, education, and support, $20,000
  • Victory Gallop, to support a therapeutic horseback riding program for children ages 3 through 18 who face behavioral challenges and illness, $6,250
  • Women Revived Ministries, to support the Total Life Wellness program, which provides mentorship, professional development, and coaching for survivors of human trafficking, $3,000
  • Women's Auxiliary Board, Summit County Children Services, to support the Beds for Kids Program, which aims to help prevent rollover deaths by giving out beds and cribs to at-risk children, $8,000

In 2021, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $676,050 to 64 nonprofit organizations:

  • A Kid Again Northern Ohio, to offer destination adventures for families of children with life-threatening illnesses, $5,250
  • ACCESS, to provide services to women facing homelessness, including short-term secure housing, case management, health counseling and job readiness training, $20,000
  • Akron Blind Center, to offer programs, resources and classes for blind and visually impaired individuals in Summit County, including Braille, computer literacy, physical fitness, crafts and volunteerism, $10,000
  • Akron Municipal Court, to host a virtual "Mental Health for Moms Summit" which will address postpartum depression, $2,500
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support food distribution in Summit County, as well as the 2022 Feeding Kids Initiative, a backpack and after-school snack program for local children, $51,200
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to provide specialty adaptive car seats to children with disabilities, $7,500
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to support disaster preparedness, response and recovery services in Summit County, $15,000
  • Asian Services In Action, Inc. (ASIA), to support legal and advocacy services to immigrants subjected to any type of victimization, $15,000
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron, to support children and adults on the autism spectrum, $5,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support crisis intervention services for domestic and/or sexual violence survivors, $35,000
  • Ben Curtis Family Foundation, to address the food insecurity of children and families in Summit County, $2,500
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support addiction recovery, mentoring, and workforce development services in Summit County, $12,500
  • Buddy Up For Life, to support tiered educational programs for children with Down syndrome through tennis and fitness activities, $2,000
  • Catholic Charities of Summit County, to support the 2022 Emergency Assistance Program, which offers rent and utility assistance to residents in need, $15,000
  • Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative, to support a food pantry serving allergy-friendly food to low-income families, $2,500
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide clothing for low-income students, $10,000
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to support improving social determinates of health for inpatients from surrounding zip codes, $11,500
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to support the HEAL Project, a medical-legal partnership that represents patients and families when issues like education, housing and public benefits threaten their health, $25,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to provide donated furniture to Summit County families in need, $9,000
  • Crown Point Ecology Center, to support farmer and intern training and increase fresh produce and vegetable plant donations to the community, $7,500
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to support and expand food access programs at Summit County farmers markets, $10,000
  • Embracing Futures, to provide orthodontic treatment for children in under-resourced families, $4,250
  • Empower Her Network, to provide financial independence education and programing to survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, $6,000
  • Family & Community Services, to address senior hunger in Summit County by providing home-delivered and congregate meals through the Mobile Meals program, $20,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County, to help homeless families with children remain together and achieve lasting independence, $9,000
  • First Glance Student Center, to support mentoring and outreach programs for at-risk teens in Kenmore, $8,700
  • Forget-Me-Not Baskets, to provide bereavement items for families who have experienced a loss during pregnancy or childbirth at Akron-area hospitals, $4,000
  • Freedom House for Women, to decrease addiction and homelessness in Summit County women by providing substance abuse treatment, recovery housing, and support services, $10,500
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a physical activity-based youth development program that promotes confidence and healthy choices for girls in high-poverty neighborhoods throughout Summit County, $9,250
  • Grace House Akron, to support access to end-of-life care for low- to moderate-income residents in Greater Akron, $7,750
  • GriefCare Place, to provide free support group counseling and other programs for residents grieving the loss of a loved one, $4,000
  • Guy's and Gal's Community Partnership, to provide free health screenings at Hoop for Coop basketball and recreation events, $10,000
  • Hope Meadows Foundation, to provide mental health services through equine-assisted psychotherapy, $3,000
  • IBH Addiction Recovery Center, to track the long-term, post-treatment success of clients who have completed the residential substance abuse treatment program, $12,000
  • International Institute of Akron (IIA), to support comprehensive legal services for Afghan evacuees resettling to the Akron area, $16,200
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron, to offer case management, information referrals, counseling and other critical services for older adults in Summit County, $10,000
  • Let's Get Healthy Cleveland, to support education and outreach programs addressing cardiovascular health, opioid overdoses & vaping issues in Akron, $5,000
  • Let's Grow Akron, to provide affordable and locally grown healthy food for low-income residents in Greater Akron's urban areas, $11,000
  • LINKS Community and Family Services, to support the Senior Connection Program, bridging the gap between community connections and services for aging adults, $10,750
  • Love Akron, to connect, convene and collaborate with other Greater Akron organizations to help the community thrive, $10,000
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to residents with serious mental illness who are transitioning from homelessness, group home living, or incarceration, $5,000
  • OhioGuidestone, to support trauma-focused mental health programming in Summit County, $5,000
  • Open Arms Adoptions, to support Keeping Siblings Together by Adoption, a community outreach and education program to increase the rate of sibling group adoptions, $5,000
  • OPEN M, to support the organization's free clinics and pharmacies for uninsured and underserved residents of Summit County, $18,500
  • Our Lady of the Wayside, to provide professional care, support and guidance for individuals with developmental disabilities, $1,000
  • Pegasus Farm, to support rehabilitation, mental health services and additional therapy at the Military Family Center, $2,500
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $20,500
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to provide vision care for at-risk individuals in Summit County, $8,500
  • RAHAB Ministries, to support outreach, mentoring and safe housing for victims of human trafficking, $20,000
  • Red Oak Behavioral Health, to embed intentional efforts toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout its therapy services, $5,000
  • Ronald McDonald House Akron, to provide a home away from home for families with children receiving care at Akron Children's Hospital or nearby medical facilities, $10,000
  • Safe Harbor Norton, to offer non-sectarian recovery environment for men in recovery of all ages, $5,000
  • Second Chance Village, to lease a rest center to provide food, support and hygiene needs for unhoused adults in East Akron, $3,250
  • Shelter Care Inc., to support the Safe Landing Youth Shelter Program, providing immediate assistance to youth and families in a time of crisis to prevent involvement in the juvenile court system and youth homelessness, $2,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to offer support groups and educational programs for residents affected by cancer, $6,000
  • Summa Health, to determine if patients would benefit from a medical-legal partnership (MLP) with Community Legal Aid to address social determinants of health, $7,500
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to provide education, legal assistance, mentoring and other support services for fathers in Summit County who have previously been incarcerated or estranged from their children, $15,750
  • United Disability Services, to provide employment services, including skills assessments and interview training, for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • United Way of Summit County, to help residents navigate health and social services available in Summit and Medina Counties through the 2-1-1 information and referral helpline, $17,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to help older adults remain in their homes by providing in-home assistance, including personal care, cleaning, grocery shopping and other critical services, $21,700
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $20,000
  • Victory Gallop, to support therapeutic horseback riding programs for children with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $7,500
  • Women Revived Ministries, to provide a safe and supportive space for human-trafficking survivors, $2,500
  • Women's Auxiliary Board, Summit County Children Services, to promote safer sleeping conditions by providing beds for kids in the care of children's services, $6,000

In 2020, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $584,000 to 56 nonprofit organizations:

  • A Kid Again Northern Ohio, to offer destination adventures for families of children with life-threatening illnesses, $5,500
  • ACCESS, to provide services to women facing homelessness, including short-term secure housing, case management, health counseling and job readiness training, $21,500
  • Akron Blind Center, to offer programs, resources and classes for blind and visually impaired individuals in Summit County, including Braille, computer literacy, physical fitness, crafts and volunteerism, $9,000
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support food distribution in Summit County, as well as the 2021 Feeding Kids Initiative, a backpack and after-school snack program for local children, $41,500
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to expand the Reach Out and Read program to focus on infants and children with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, anxiety, behavior problems, and spina bifida, $7,500
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to support disaster preparedness, response and recovery services in Summit County, $15,000
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron, to support children and adults on the autism spectrum, $5,500
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support crisis intervention services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, $35,000
  • Birthing Beautiful Communities, to address and improve the systemic and community structures that lead to poor birth outcomes through education, advocacy, support programs and community engagement, $3,500
  • Bobby Tripodi Foundation, to provide specialized bereavement support groups and grief therapy for those in need, $1,000
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support mentoring and workforce development programs for former offenders in Summit County to help eliminate barriers that lead to recidivism, $10,000
  • Caring Hands Charity, to provide hot meals to venerable individuals living in Summit County, $2,500
  • Catholic Charities of Summit County, to support the 2021 Emergency Assistance Program, which offers rent and utility assistance to residents in need, $15,000
  • Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative, to support a food pantry serving allergy-friendly food to low-income families, $2,500
  • Chair-ity, Inc, to provide furniture and household goods to young adults who have aged out of foster care systems in Summit County, $7,500
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide clothing for low-income students, $10,500
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to support training to mitigate unconscious bias towards patients living in generational poverty, $2,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to support the HEAL project, a medical-legal partnership that represents patients and families when issues like education, housing and public benefits threaten their health, $25,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to provide donated furniture to Summit County families in need, $9,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to expand food access programs at Summit County farmers markets and help alleviate food insecurity due to increased needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, $12,500
  • Embracing Futures, to provide orthodontic treatment for children in underserved families, $3,500
  • Empower Her Network, to provide support and empowerment for two Akron survivors of human trafficking, $6,000
  • Family & Community Services, to address senior hunger in Summit County by providing home-delivered and congregate meals through the Mobile Meals program, $20,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County, to help homeless families with children remain together and achieve lasting independence, $9,000
  • First Glance Student Center, to support mentoring and outreach programs for at-risk teens in Kenmore, $8,500
  • Forget-Me-Not Baskets, to provide bereavement items for families who have experienced a loss during pregnancy or childbirth at Akron-area hospitals, $3,000
  • Freedom House for Women, to decrease addiction and homelessness in Summit County women by providing substance abuse treatment, recovery housing, and support services, $8,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a physical activity-based youth development program that promotes confidence and healthy choices for girls in high-poverty neighborhoods throughout Summit County, $9,000
  • Grace House Akron, to support access to end-of-life care for low- to moderate-income residents in Greater Akron, $6,500
  • GriefCare Place, to provide free support group counseling and other programs for residents grieving the loss of a loved one, $2,500
  • Harmony House, to provide housing and supportive services to homeless youth in Summit County, $5,500
  • IBH Addiction Recovery Center, to track the long-term, post-treatment success of clients who have completed the residential substance abuse treatment program, $10,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to provide mental health services and case management for refugees and immigrants with significant barriers to economic and social stability, $15,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron, to support the Happy, Healthy and At Home program, which offers case management, information referrals, counseling and other critical services for Summit County senior citizens, $10,000
  • Let's Grow Akron, to provide affordable and locally grown healthy food for low-income residents in Greater Akron's urban areas, $12,500
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to residents with serious mental illness who are transitioning from homelessness, group home living, or incarceration, $5,000
  • Open Arms Adoptions, to support the Keeping Siblings Together by Adoption, community outreach and education program to increase the rate of sibling group adoptions, $6,000
  • OPEN M, to support the organization's free clinics and pharmacies for uninsured and underserved residents of Summit County, $18,000
  • Pegasus Farm, to support rehabilitation, mental health services and additional therapy at the Military Family Center, $4,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $20,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to provide vision care for at-risk individuals in Summit County, $7,500
  • RAHAB Ministries, to support outreach, mentoring and safe housing for victims of human trafficking, $20,000
  • Red Oak Behavioral Health, to expand its mental health programs through family therapy, $5,000
  • Ronald McDonald House Akron, to provide a home away from home for families with children receiving care at Akron Children's Hospital or nearby medical facilities, $10,000
  • Second Chance Village, to lease a rest center to provide food, support and hygiene needs for unhoused adults in East Akron, $2,500
  • Shelter Care Inc., to support the Safe Landing Youth Shelter Program, providing immediate assistance to youth and families in a time of crisis to prevent involvement in the juvenile court system and youth homelessness, $3,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to offer support groups and educational programs for residents affected by cancer, $5,000
  • Summit County Community Partnership, to support the Deterra Project, which reduces access to unused and expired opiates by providing drug deactivation pouches that safely neutralize prescription medicines, $10,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to provide education, legal assistance, mentoring and other support services for fathers in Summit County who have previously been incarcerated or estranged from their children, $14,000
  • United Disability Services, to provide employment services, including skills assessments and interview training, for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • United Way of Summit County, to help residents navigate health and social services available in Summit and Medina Counties through the 2-1-1 information and referral helpline, $15,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to help older adults remain in their homes by providing in-home assistance, including personal care, cleaning, grocery shopping and other critical services, $18,500
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $20,000
  • Victory Gallop, to support therapeutic horseback riding programs for children with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $6,000
  • Whitehawk Ranch, to provide life-skills training to promote emotional resilience, heathy lifestyles and goal setting for homeless youth, $2,500
  • Women's Auxiliary Board, Summit County Children Services, to promote safer sleeping conditions by providing beds for kids in the care of children's services, $6,000

In 2019, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $557,338 to 54 nonprofit organizations:

  • A Kid Again Northern Ohioto offer destination adventures for families of children with life-threatening illnesses, $5,000
  • ACCESSto provide services to women facing homelessness, including short-term secure housing, case management, health counseling and job readiness training, $15,500
  • Akron Area YMCAto teach water safety and swimming skills to underserved local elementary school students, $15,000
  • Akron Blind Centerto offer programs, resources and classes for blind and visually impaired individuals in Summit County, including Braille, computer literacy, physical fitness, crafts and volunteerism, $8,000
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support food distribution in Summit County, as well as the Feeding Kids Initiative, a backpack and after-school snack program for local children, $40,000
  • Akron Children's Hospitalto support an asthma outreach program in Summit County schools that will help reduce environmental triggers and encourage policies for responding to severe asthma episodes, $5,000
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Countiesto support disaster preparedness, response and recovery services in Summit County, $15,000
  • ARC Recovery Servicesto provide certified peer support to individuals in the early stages of substance abuse recovery, $7,500
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron, to support the Information and Referral Help Line, which offers resources to parents, professionals, educators, and individuals on the autism spectrum, $5,000
  • AxessPointe Community Health Center, to provide personal hygiene products to low-income patients at the organization's South Broadway Street location, $5,000
  • Battered Women's Shelterto support crisis intervention services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, $25,000
  • Birthing Beautiful Communitiesto address and improve the systemic and community structures that lead to poor birth outcomes through education, advocacy, support programs and community engagement, $5,500
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support mentoring and workforce development programs for former offenders in Summit County to help eliminate barriers that lead to recidivism, $7,500
  • Catholic Charities of Summit Countyto support the 2020 Emergency Assistance Program, which offers rent and utility assistance to residents in need, $15,000
  • Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative, to support a food pantry serving allergy-friendly food to low-income families, $2,500
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide school-appropriate clothing for low-income students, $10,500
  • Cleveland Clinic Akron General, to support the Minority Men's Health Fair, which offers free health tests and screenings, $5,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to support the HEAL project, a medical-legal partnership that represents patients and families when issues like education, housing and public benefits threaten their health, $20,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to provide donated furniture to Summit County families in need, $7,500
  • Crown Point Ecology Centerto train new greenhouse staff and increase vegetable seedling production during the spring season, $7,500
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to support and expand food access programs at Summit County farmers markets, $10,000
  • Easter Seals of Northeast Ohio, to create an educational learning center for adults with disabilities, $588
  • Embracing Futures Inc., to provide orthodontic treatment for children in underserved families, $5,000
  • Family and Community Services, to address senior hunger in Summit County by providing home-delivered and congregate meals through the Mobile Meals program, $20,500
  • Family Promise of Summit County Inc., to help homeless families with children remain together and achieve lasting independence, $8,000
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., to support mentoring and outreach programs for at-risk teens in Kenmore, $7,500
  • Forget-Me-Not Baskets, to provide bereavement items for families who have experienced a loss during pregnancy or childbirth at Akron-area hospitals, $2,500
  • Freedom House for Women, to decrease addiction and homelessness in Summit County women by providing substance abuse treatment, recovery housing, and support services, $8,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a physical activity-based youth development program that promotes confidence and healthy choices for girls in high-poverty neighborhoods throughout Summit County, $8,000
  • Goodwill Industries of Akron, to purchase bus passes for Summit County social service agencies and residents living in poverty, $5,000
  • Grace House Akron, to support access to end-of-life care for low- to moderate-income residents in Greater Akron, $500
  • GriefCare Place, to provide free support group counseling and other programs for residents grieving the loss of a loved one, $2,500
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, for the Youth Services Program, which provides school supplies, transportation, tutoring and other services for children transitioning out of homelessness, $5,500
  • IBH Addiction Recovery Center, to track the long-term, post-treatment success of clients who have completed the residential substance abuse treatment program, $10,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to provide mental health services and case management for refugees and immigrants with significant barriers to economic and social stability, $15,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, to support the Happy, Healthy and At Home program, which offers case management, information referrals, counseling and other critical services for Summit County senior citizens, $8,000
  • Let's Grow Akron, to provide affordable and locally grown healthy food for low-income residents in Greater Akron's urban areas, $10,000
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to residents with serious mental illness who are transitioning from homelessness, group home living, or incarceration, $5,000
  • National Society to Prevent Blindness, to provide vision care for at-risk individuals in Summit County, $8,250
  • Ohio Living Communities, to offer assisted living for residents with limited financial means at the Rockynol retirement community, $5,000
  • OPEN M, to support the organization's free clinic and pharmacy for uninsured and underserved residents of Summit County, $17,500
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $20,000
  • Portage Path Behavioral Health, to provide medication-assisted treatment and peer support for clients recovering from addiction, $13,500
  • Red Oak Behavioral Health, to support staff training for school-based mental health programs, $5,000
  • Ronald McDonald House Akron, to provide a home away from home for families with children receiving care at Akron Children's Hospital or nearby medical facilities, $12,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to offer support groups and educational programs for residents affected by cancer, $5,000
  • Summit County Community Partnership, to support the Deterra Project, which reduces access to unused and expired opiates by providing drug deactivation pouches that safely neutralize prescription medicines, $10,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to provide education, legal assistance, mentoring and other support services for fathers in Summit County who have previously been incarcerated or estranged from their children, $20,000
  • United Disability Services, to provide employment services, including skills assessments and interview training, for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • United Way of Summit County, to help residents navigate health and social services available in Summit County through the 2-1-1 information and referral helpline, $15,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to help older adults remain in their homes by providing in-home assistance, including personal care, cleaning, grocery shopping and other critical services, $18,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $20,000
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to support therapeutic horseback riding programs for children with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $5,000
  • Women's Auxiliary Board, Summit County Children Services, to promote safer sleeping conditions by providing beds for kids in the care of children's services, $6,500

In 2018, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $555,500 to 50 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS, to provide services to women facing homelessness, including short-term secure housing, case management, health counseling and job readiness training, $15,250
  • Akron Area YMCA, to teach water safety and swimming skills through the Safety Around Water program to local elementary school students who lack the resources and financial means to take lessons, $12,750
  • Akron Blind Center, to support collaborative programs, essential resources and educational classes for the blind and low-vision populations in Summit County, $7,500
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support the Direct Distribution program, which distributes food directly to agency sites, as well as the Feeding Kids Initiative, a program that supplies after-school snacks for children in Summit County, $46,500
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support an asthma outreach program in Summit County schools that will help reduce environmental triggers and encourage policies for responding to severe asthma episodes, $5,000
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to support disaster cycle services in Summit County, including preparedness classes, disaster response and recovery assistance, $15,250
  • The Arc of Ohio, for civil rights advocacy on behalf of Summit County residents with disabilities, $10,000
  • ARC Recovery Services, to provide certified peer support to individuals in the early stages of substance abuse recovery, $7,500
  • Battered Women's Shelterto support crisis intervention services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, $25,500
  • Better Block Foundation, to support the New Americans Safe Driving Initiative, a six-week course that prepares refugees and immigrants for their written driving exam, $7,500
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support mentoring and workforce development programs for former offenders in Summit County to help eliminate barriers that lead to recidivism, $5,000
  • Catholic Charities of Summit County, to support the 2019 Emergency Assistance program, which offers rent and utility assistance to residents in need, $13,000
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide school-appropriate clothing for low-income students, $10,250
  • Cleveland Clinic Health System, to support the 44307 Community Health Initiative, which provides medical services like vaccines and well visits to students at Helen Arnold Community Learning Center and their families, $1,500
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to provide critical legal services for Akron's refugee population, combating obstacles related to health, housing, education and basic needs, $20,000
  • Community Pregnancy Center, to support the Strong Start Program, which provides cribs, car seats, formula and educational programs to families in need, $5,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to provide donated furniture to Summit County families in need, $7,750
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to support and expand food access programs at Summit County farmers markets, $10,000
  • Donovan's Kids, to develop adaptive bicycles for children with limb amputations or spina bifida, $2,500
  • Embracing Futures Inc., to provide orthodontic treatment for children in need who have been turned down by Medicaid, $5,000
  • EMERGE Counseling Services, to provide mental health counseling for Summit County residents who are uninsured or cannot afford counseling, $5,000
  • Family and Community Services of Portage County, for the Mobile Meals program, which encourages independent living by providing home-delivered meals and supplements to low-income children, elderly and disabled residents in Summit County, $20,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County Inc., to help homeless families with children remain together and achieve lasting independence, $7,500
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., to support mentoring and outreach programs for at-risk teens in Kenmore, $7,500
  • Freedom House for Women, to decrease addiction and homelessness in Summit County women by providing substance abuse treatment, recovery housing and support services, $8,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a physical activity-based youth development program that promotes confidence and healthy choices for girls in high-poverty neighborhoods throughout Summit County, $7,500
  • Good Neighbors, to support the Good Neighbors Food Pantry and Outreach Center, which provides food, toiletries and other essential items to residents in need, $5,500
  • Hattie Larlham Foundation, to provide pre-employment transition services, including career assessment and hands-on training, for Akron-area high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, $15,000
  • IBH Addiction Recovery Center, to track the long-term, post-treatment success of clients who have completed the residential substance abuse treatment program, $10,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to support refugee resettlement services, including housing, transportation, health screenings and social services, $15,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, to support the Happy, Healthy and At Home program, which offers case management, information referrals, counseling and other critical services for Summit County seniors, $7,500
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to residents with serious mental illness who are transitioning from homelessness, group home living or incarceration, $5,000
  • Northeast Ohio African American Health Network, to support the Soul Food Cooking for Diabetics program, which includes nutrition education, food samples and cookbooks for residents with diabetes, $3,500
  • Ohio Living Communities Rockynol, to offer assisted living for senior residents with limited financial means, $5,000
  • Open Arms Adoptions, to increase awareness and support for keeping adoptable siblings together when finding permanent homes, $6,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $20,250
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to provide vision screenings and eye care for disadvantaged, high-risk adults and children in Summit County, $7,500
  • RAHAB Ministries, to support a mentoring program for juvenile victims of human trafficking through a partnership with Summit County Juvenile Courts, $23,500
  • Ronald McDonald House Akron, to provide a home away from home for families with children receiving care at Akron Children's Hospital, $12,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to offer support groups and educational programs for residents affected by cancer, $5,000
  • Summa Health System, to support the launch of the Mommy Care-Group Care initiative, which offers support groups and educational services for new mothers, $7,500
  • Summit County Community Partnership, to support the Deterra Project, which reduces access to unused and expired opiates by providing drug deactivation pouches that safely neutralize prescription medicines, $10,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to provide education, legal assistance, mentoring and other support services for fathers in Summit County who have previously been incarcerated or estranged from their children, $25,000
  • Tri-County Independent Living Center, to provide home accessibility improvements for low-income residents with disabilities, $5,000
  • United Disability Services, to provide employment services, including skills assessments and interview training, for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • United Way of Summit County, to help residents navigate health and social services available in Summit County through the 2-1-1 information and referral helpline, $15,000
  • VANTAGE Aging, to help older adults remain in their homes by providing in-home assistance, including personal care, cleaning, grocery shopping and other critical services, $17,500
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $20,000
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to support therapeutic horseback riding programs for children with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $5,000
  • Women's Auxiliary Board, Summit County Children Services, to promote safer sleeping conditions by providing beds for kids in the care of children's services, $6,000

In 2017, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $577,010 to 45 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESSto provide services to women facing homelessness, including short-term secure housing, case management, health counseling and job readiness training, $25,000
  • Akron Area YMCA, to teach water safety and swimming skills through the Safety Around Water/Make a Splash program to Akron Public Schools students who lack the resources and financial means to take lessons, $17,500
  • Akron Blind Center, for general operating support of collaborative programs serving the blind and low-vision populations, $7,500
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support the Direct Distribution program, which distributes food directly to agency sites, as well as the Feeding Kids Initiative, a program that supplies after-school snacks for children in Summit County, $50,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support the Nurturing Parenting Program for Nepali refugees, which helps parents increase their positive self-worth and mental health, $7,500
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to support disaster cycle services in Summit County, including preparedness classes, disaster response and recovery assistance, $15,500
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron, to support increased inclusion and understanding of people with developmental disabilities through Stop-Assess-Support, a training program for first responders and medical professionals, $5,000
  • AxessPointe Community Health Center, for the launch of a specialty pharmacy that will dispense medications and provide patient support for chronic illnesses and other health conditions for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, $10,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support crisis intervention services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, $30,500
  • Bridges Summit County, to support the launch of the redesigned Bridges curriculum, which helps people understand the dynamics of poverty and break down existing barriers through community and corporate workshops, $15,000
  • Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry, to support mentoring and workforce development programs for former offenders in Summit County to help eliminate barriers that lead to recidivism, $5,000
  • Catholic Charities of Summit County, to support the 2018 Emergency Assistance Program, which offers rent and utility assistance to residents in need, $15,000
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide school-appropriate clothing to low-income students, $10,500
  • Community Legal Aid Services, to provide critical legal services for Akron's refugee population, including obstacles related to health, housing, education and basic needs, $20,000
  • Community Pregnancy Center, to support the Strong Start Program, which provides cribs, car seats and formula, along with one-on-one mentoring and group classes, to families in need, $3,000
  • Community Support Services, to improve the physical health of people diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness through holistic health care services, $5,000
  • Embracing Futures Inc., to provide orthodontic treatment for children in need who have been turned down by Medicaid, $5,300
  • Family & Community Services Inc., for the Mobile Meals program, which encourages independent living by providing home-delivered meals and supplements to low-income children, elderly and disabled residents in Summit County, $25,000
  • Freedom House for Women, to decrease addiction and homelessness in Summit County women by providing substance abuse treatment, recovery housing and support services, $8,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a physical activity-based youth development program that promotes confidence and healthy choices for girls in high-poverty neighborhoods of Summit County, $8,500
  • Goodwill Industries of Akron, to provide bus passes to area social service agencies to help eliminate transportation barriers for their clients, $10,000
  • H.M. Life Opportunity Services, to provide educational, social and developmental services for children transitioning from homelessness, $5,000
  • Homeless Charity, to support recovering opiate users who are experiencing homelessness through Second Chance Village, a tent community and support center, $5,000
  • IBH Addiction Recovery Center, to track the post-treatment success of clients who have completed the residential substance abuse treatment program by following up at 30 and 90 days post-discharge, $10,000
  • Info Line, for the 2-1-1 information and referral line that helps residents navigate the available health and social services in Summit County through an up-to-date database of providers, $20,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, to provide counseling, care management, outreach and education to low-income seniors who live in subsidized apartment buildings throughout Summit County, $7,500
  • L.I.N.K.S. Community and Family Services, for the Senior Connection Program, which helps local seniors maintain their independence through social events, education programs, home visits and home repairs, $10,000
  • Mature Services, to provide in-home services, including personal care, cleaning, grocery shopping and errands, for low-income seniors who have health challenges or lack family and community support, $17,500
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to residents with serious mental illness who are transitioning from homelessness, group home living or incarceration, $5,000
  • Open M, to support a comprehensive free medical clinic and pharmacy for the community's working poor and uninsured, $20,000
  • Pastoral Counseling Services, to support the Generation Rx drug education program at Akron Public Schools, which educates students about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, $3,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $20,000
  • Portage Path Community Mental Health Center, to provide coordinated treatments for people with both a primary mental illness and a co-occurring substance use disorder, $10,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to reduce the incidence of unnecessary vision loss through early identification and to provide donated eye care to medically disadvantaged children and adults in Summit County, $7,500
  • RAHAB Ministries, to support a mentoring program for juvenile victims of human trafficking through a partnership with Summit County Juvenile Courts, $20,000
  • Ronald McDonald House Akron, to support the Ronald McDonald House facility in Akron, a home away from home for families with children receiving care at Akron Children's Hospital, $10,000
  • Shelter Care, to replace the alarm system and a sliding door at the Safe Landing Youth Shelter for girls in crisis, $2,710
  • South Street Ministries, to support community health focus groups in Summit Lake and South Akron that will address issues such as obesity, chronic disease, preventative health and substance abuse, $15,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to offer support groups and educational programs for residents affected by cancer, $10,000
  • Summit County Community Partnership, to support a drug abuse prevention program in Summit County that reduces access to unused and expired opiates by providing drug deactivation pouches that safely neutralize prescription medicines, $10,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to provide education, legal assistance, mentoring and other support services for fathers in Summit County who have previously been incarcerated or estranged from their children, $20,000
  • Twinsburg Seniors, to provide emergency Lifeline units to seniors to help them remain independent in their homes, $5,000
  • United Disability Services, to provide employment services, including skills assessments and interview training, for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $25,000
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to support a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $5,000

In 2016, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $620,300 to 46 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to provide services to women facing homelessness, including short-term secure housing, case management, health counseling and job readiness training, $35,000
  • Akron Area YMCA, to teach water safety and swimming skills to fourth-grade Akron Public Schools students who lack the resources and financial means to take lessons, $15,000
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support food distribution to area pantries, along with after-school snacks for children, implementation of the PantryTrak software system and a food delivery trailer for pantry partners, $50,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to support a needs assessment for refugees inSummit County that identifies risk factors and barriers to health care, as wellas ways to connect them with resources across systems and agencies, $10,000
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to support disaster cycle services in Summit County, including preparedness classes, disaster response and recovery assistance, $20,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to support crisis intervention services for victims of domestic and/or sexual violence, $35,000
  • Better Health Partnership, for a professional learning summit with health agencies, academic institutions, employers and service organizations aimed at improving the health of children with obesity and diabetes in Summit County, $5,000
  • Bridges Summit County, to expand the Getting Ahead program, which offers community outreach tools, workshops and organizational education for residents facing generational poverty, $25,000
  • Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County, to support the 2017 Emergency Assistance program, which offers rent and utility assistance to residents in need, $15,000
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to provide school-appropriate clothing to low-income students, $15,000
  • City of Akron Police Department, to support the Hidden in Plain Sight program, which uses an interactive model to educate parents about the signs of dangerous or illegal behavior in children, $5,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services Inc.,to support education-related assistance for Project HEAL, a medical-legal partnership that represents patients and families when issues like education, housing and public benefits threaten their health, $10,000
  • Community Pregnancy Center, to support the Strong Start program, which provides cribs, car seats and formula to families in financial need, $3,000
  • Community Support Services, to support improved physical health outcomes for people diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness through holistic health programs, $8,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to collect used furniture and donate it to families in need in Summit County, $8,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to build capacity during staffing transitions, and to provide "carrot cash," a matching fresh food incentive for users of SNAP benefits, $20,000
  • Easter Seals Northern Ohio, to support a continuum of care for individuals with disabilities in Summit County, including a collaboration with the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board to provide a new Adult Day program, $7,500
  • Embracing Futures Inc., to provide orthodontic treatment for needy children who have been turned down by Medicaid, $5,300
  • Evant Inc., for a day services program for people with developmental disabilities that includes life skills training, help with social interaction and opportunities for community integration, $7,500
  • Family Promise of Summit County Inc., to help homeless children and their families achieve sustainable independence while remaining together, using an integrated network of partners and services, $7,500
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., for the Teen Moms/Young Moms program, which mentors at-risk young moms and dads who lack basic parenting skills, $10,000
  • Flashes of Hope, to provide professional photography services for children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, $3,000
  • Freedom House for Women Inc., to decrease addiction and homelessness in Summit County women by providing substance abuse treatment, recovery housing and supportive services, $13,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, to support a physical activity-based youth development program for Summit County girls with an interactive curriculum that promotes confidence, character and contribution, $7,500
  • GriefCare Place, for support groups and other programs for residents grieving the loss of a loved one, $2,500
  • IBH Addiction Recovery Center, to track the 90-day and two-year post-treatment success of clients who have completed the residential substance abuse treatment program, $10,000
  • Info Line Inc., for the 2-1-1 information and referral line that helps residents navigate the health and social services available in Summit County through an up-to-date database of providers, $20,000
  • Jewish Community Center of Akron, for Kickin' Up KidSpace, which promotes healthy lifestyle choices for school-age children using homework help, snacks and activities, $2,500
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, to provide counseling, care management, outreach and education to low-income seniors who live in subsidized apartment buildings throughout Summit County, $5,000
  • L.I.N.K.S. Community & Family Services, for the Senior Connection Program, which includes twice-monthly lunch events, education, home visits and repairs aimed at keeping seniors living independently, $10,000
  • Mature Services Inc., to provide in-home services, such as personal care, cleaning, grocery shopping and errands, for low-income individuals over 60 years old who have health challenges or lack family and community support, $15,000
  • Mobile Meals Inc., to operate nine dining centers and encourage independent living by providing home-delivered meals and supplements to low-income children, elderly and disabled residents in Summit County, $35,000
  • Mustard Seed Development Center, to provide counseling and legal assistance to low-income residents facing foreclosure and property tax delinquency in Summit County, $10,000
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to residents with serious mental illness who are transitioning from homelessness, group home living or incarceration, $5,000
  • North Coast Community Homes, to support home accessibility, mobility and safety for older adults in Summit County through the installation of items like safety grab bars, $7,500
  • OhioGuidestone, to furnish a play therapy room in the agency's Summit County office for children who have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect, $5,000
  • OPEN M, to support a comprehensive free medical clinic and pharmacy for the community's working poor and uninsured, $25,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $20,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to use early identification to reduce the incidence of unnecessary vision loss and provide donated eye care to medically disadvantaged children and adults in Summit County, $7,500
  • Shelter Care Inc., for capital improvements at three locations of the Shelter Home program, a long-term residential program for youth who struggle with abuse, neglect or mental health concerns, $10,000
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to offer support groups and educational programs for residents affected by cancer, $15,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, for the Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, which offers education, legal assistance, mentoring and other support services for fathers in Summit County who have previously been incarcerated or estranged from their children, $20,000
  • United Disability Services, to provide employment services, including job exploration, skills assessment, interviewing and soft-skills training, for Summit County residents with severe disabilities, $15,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $25,000
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to support a therapeutic horseback riding program for 3- to 18-year-olds who face behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $5,000
  • Women's Auxiliary Board of the Summit County Children's Home, to promote safer sleeping conditions by providing beds to children of families receiving services, $10,000

In 2015, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $580,968 to 42 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to shelter homeless women and children and to renovate the Step II program facility, $35,000
  • Akron Area YMCA, to help low-income families and individuals participate in YMCA programs, $7,500
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to serve an estimated 24 million meals to families struggling with food insecurity through direct distribution and food pantry capacity building, and for the Feeding Kids Initiative, which provides more than 2,500 children per month with food through backpacks and after-school snacks, $53,500
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to provide car seats for needy families, $5,000
  • Akron General Medical Center, for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners program, which teaches nurses to recognize and document signs of abuse and violence, $15,968
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to support the Home Fire Campaign, which seeks to reduce the number of home fires and fire-related injuries through prevention education, and to provide assistance to those affected by home fires, $5,000
  • AxessPointe Community Health Center Inc., to provide quality, affordable health care to individuals and families throughout the community, $10,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide crisis intervention and emergency services to victims of domestic violence and rape, $35,000
  • Bridges Summit County, to support the Getting Ahead and Bridges Out of Poverty workshops, $28,500
  • Christ Child Society of Akron, to purchase new school clothes and outerwear for children from low-income families, $15,000
  • Coleman Professional Services, to support behavioral health and peer support services for refugees in Summit County, $5,000
  • Community Legal Aid Services Inc., for the Health Education Advocacy and Law Project, which helps patients address non-medical barriers to health, including economic instability and insecure housing, $10,000
  • Community Support Services, to create a centralized intake and outreach center for Summit County's homeless population, $15,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to provide donated furniture to needy families in Summit County, $5,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to support Carrot Cash, a food assistance program that matches the fresh produce purchases of SNAP card users up to $15, $21,000
  • Embracing Futures Inc., to provide oral health education to elementary school students, $5,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County Inc., to provide shelter and counseling to homeless families with children, $7,500
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., to provide support, mentoring and parenting education to young moms and dads through the Teen Moms program, $10,000
  • Flashes of Hope, to provide professional photography services for children with life-threatening illnesses, $3,000
  • Freedom House for Women Inc., for programming to prevent homelessness and preserve the family unit, $8,000
  • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, for a mentoring program for girls in Summit County that combines fitness training with discussions about personal values, respect and self-worth, $5,000
  • GriefCare Place, for support groups for individuals grieving the death of a loved one, $2,500
  • H.M. LIfe Opportunity Services, to provide school supplies, clothing, tutoring and counseling to children transitioning from homelessness, $8,000
  • Info Line Inc., for the food pantry clearinghouse and 24-hour emergency phone line, which refers at-risk individuals to food pantries and other immediate resources, $20,000
  • Interval Brotherhood Home, to measure the long-term outcomes of individuals who have gone through addiction recovery and treatment, $10,000
  • Jewish Community Center of Akron, for Kickin' Up KidSpace, which emphasizes healthy lifestyle choices for school-aged children, $2,500
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, to prevent the eviction of seniors in subsidized housing through counseling, case management and tenant education, $5,000
  • L.I.N.K.S. Community & Family Services, to provide educational services and activities that help elderly individuals preserve their independence, dignity and well-being, $10,000
  • Mature Services Inc., to provide essential in-home assistance, including personal care, laundry and cleaning services, to low-income seniors who live alone, $10,000
  • Mobile Meals Inc., to provide meals and medically prescribed supplements for children, elderly individuals and people with disabilities, $35,000
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to people with mental illness who are transitioning from homelessness, $5,000
  • OPEN M, to support the free clinic and to provide employment assistance to people in poverty through the Community Works Connection Program, $28,500
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $20,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to provide vision screenings and eye care products to at-risk individuals in Summit County, $7,500
  • Shelter Care Inc., to provide health and wellness programming for runaway and homeless youth, $7,500
  • South Street Ministries, for capital improvements to the Front Porch Café, $22,500
  • Stewart's Caring Place, to provide support services for cancer patients and their families, $10,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to help men become better fathers through education and mentoring programs, $20,000
  • United Disability Services, to help people with severe disabilities secure employment by providing comprehensive assessments and vocational counseling, $15,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $22,000
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to provide therapeutic horseback riding programs for individuals with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $5,000
  • Women's Auxiliary Board of the Summit County Children's Home, to purchase beds for kids in the care of children's services, $10,000

In 2014, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $630,695 to 34 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to shelter homeless women and children, $25,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital, to reduce sleep-related infant deaths by offering training and educational materials about safe sleeping practices to agencies that serve low-income, at-risk parents, $5,000
  • Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation, to support the 2015 Rubber City Race Series, $10,000
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to serve an estimated 22 million meals to families struggling with food insecurity through direct distribution and food pantry capacity building, $50,000
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to provide free transportation to and from medical appointments for low-income Summit County residents, $10,000
  • AxessPointe Community Health Center Inc., to purchase audio-visual equipment that will facilitate staff meetings between clinics and provide remote patient care, $15,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide crisis intervention and emergency services to victims of domestic violence and rape, $35,000
  • Blick Clinic Inc., to support a new independent living program that teaches people with disabilities about food preparation and nutrition, $7,000
  • Bridges Summit County, to support the Getting Ahead and Bridges Out of Poverty workshops, $30,000
  • Coleman Professional Services Inc., to support behavioral health and peer support services for refugees in Summit County, $5,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to provide donated furniture to needy families in Summit County, $5,000
  • Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, to purchase a box truck that will transport equipment for farmers markets in Summit County, $5,000
  • Family and Community Services of Portage County Inc., to expand the Senior Companion program in Akron, which provides socialization and daily living assistance to homebound senior citizens, $10,000
  • Family Promise of Summit County Inc., to provide shelter and counseling to homeless families with children, $5,000
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., to provide support, mentoring and parenting education to young moms and dads through the Teen Moms program, $8,000
  • Freedom House for Women Inc., to provide counseling and intervention services to low-income families who are facing eviction to prevent them from becoming homeless, $8,000
  • H.M. LIfe Opportunity Services, to provide school supplies, clothing, tutoring and counseling to children transitioning from homelessness, $5,000
  • Info Line Inc., for the food pantry clearinghouse and 24-hour emergency phone line, which refers at-risk individuals to food pantries and other immediate resources, $20,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to help immigrants and refugees in Summit County secure green cards and pass the rigorous U.S. citizenship test so they can find stable housing and employment, $18,000
  • Interval Brotherhood Homes Corporation, to measure long-term sobriety success rates in people who have completed the residential treatment program, $10,000
  • Jewish Family Service of Akron Ohio, to prevent the eviction of seniors in subsidized housing through counseling, case management and tenant education, $5,000
  • Mature Services Inc., to provide essential in-home assistance, including personal care, laundry and cleaning services, to low-income seniors who live alone, $10,000
  • Mobile Meals Inc., to provide meals and medically prescribed supplements for children, elderly individuals and people with disabilities, $35,000
  • NAMI Summit County, to provide basic household items to people with mental illness who are transitioning to independent living, $2,500
  • OPEN M, to support the free clinic, which offers integrated medical, dental, eye and behavioral health care to uninsured and underserved residents, $15,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $15,000
  • Portage Path Behavioral Health, to renovate a group treatment room at the outpatient clinic with new furniture and technology, $10,000
  • Pregnancy Care of Summit County Inc., to provide safe sleep education and portable cribs to low-income parents, including those transitioning from homelessness, $5,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to provide vision screenings and eye care products to at-risk individuals in Summit County, $5,000
  • Summa Health System, to help at-risk individuals manage their chronic conditions by identifying and overcoming non-medical barriers to health care, including transportation and literacy, $5,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to help men become better fathers through education and mentoring programs, $20,000
  • United Disability Services, to help people with severe disabilities secure employment by providing comprehensive assessments and vocational counseling, $15,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and sudden trauma, $20,000
  • Women's Auxiliary Board of the Summit County Children's Home, to purchase beds for kids in the care of children's services, $5,000

In 2013, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $492,500 to 29 nonprofit organizations:

  • ACCESS Inc., to provide housing and assistance to homeless women and children, $25,000
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to serve an estimated 19.5 million meals to families struggling with food insecurity through direct distribution and food pantry capacity building, $50,000
  • American Red Cross of Summit & Portage Counties, to provide free transportation to and from medical appointments for Summit County residents without transportation or who cannot afford transportation, $10,000
  • AxessPointe Community Health Center Inc., to support an integrated health care model that will combine primary and behavioral health care to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs, $25,000
  • Battered Women's Shelter, to provide crisis intervention and emergency services to victims of domestic violence and rape, $35,000
  • Beacon Journal Charity Fund Inc., to teach 3rd graders the benefits of oral health through in-class demonstrations where they will receive free toothbrushes and other dental health items, $7,500
  • Bridges Summit County/UWSC, for the Getting Ahead and Bridges Out of Poverty workshops, $30,000
  • Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, for the $170 million Building on the Promise campaign for the Akron campus expansion which will include a new emergency department, neonatal intensive care unit, high-risk infant delivery unit and outpatient surgery center, $25,000
  • CORE Furniture Bank, to provide donated furniture to needy families in Summit County, $5,000
  • First Glance Student Center Inc., to provide support, guidance and training in all areas of parenting for young moms and dads through the Teen Moms program, $10,000
  • Freedom House for Women Inc., to offer intervention services to prevent chronically poor residents currently under eviction from becoming homeless, $10,000
  • Info Line Inc., for the Emergency Food Line that provides low-income and at-risk individuals and families with referrals to area food pantries, $20,000
  • Institute for Conservation Leadership, to create a report on the local food network and provide best practices for the local food system, $20,000
  • International Institute of Akron, to teach refugees within their first 90 days of arrival in the U.S. how to navigate the health care system, make medical appointments and use public transportation to ensure long-term, self-managed health, $18,000
  • Interval Brotherhood Home, to measure sobriety outcomes through the four national standards of: abstinence from drug and alcohol use; employment or school enrollment; safe, sober housing; and no new criminal justice system involvement, $10,000
  • Jewish Family Service, to prevent the eviction of seniors in subsidized housing through counseling, care management and tenant education, $5,000
  • Mature Services Inc., to provide essential in-home assistance, including personal care, laundry and cleaning services, to low-income seniors who live alone without regular family support or other community assistance, $10,000
  • Mental Health America of Summit County, to provide education, advocacy and support to parents of minor children with severe emotional disorders through the PEERS project, $12,000
  • Mobile Meals Inc., to provide meals and supplements to children, disabled individuals and elderly people who can't afford them, $35,000
  • Opportunity Parish Ecumenical Neighborhood Ministry, for OPEN M's free clinic, which offers integrated medical, dental, eye and behavioral health care to uninsured and underserved residents, $15,000
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to provide low-income women at the Akron Health Center with long-acting reversible contraception, $15,000
  • Portage Path Behavioral Health, to upgrade to an integrated electronic health record system, $20,000
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio, to provide eye care to medically indigent children and adults, $10,000
  • Rebuilding Together Summit County Inc., to provide critical home repair services to needy individuals, $15,000
  • Summa Health System, for the Center for Health Equity, which helps underserved individuals overcome barriers to health and obtain necessary services, $10,000
  • Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, to help men become better fathers and mentors through educational programs, $20,000
  • United Disability Services, to provide individuals with severe disabilities with assessments, vocational counseling, training and supportive services to help them secure unsubsidized employment, $15,000
  • Victim Assistance Program, to provide 24-hour support and advocacy for victims of crime and trauma, $20,000
  • Victory Gallop Inc., to provide therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with behavioral challenges and life-threatening illnesses, $5,000

In 2012, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $408,000 to 30 nonprofit organizations:

In 2011, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $468,100 to 33 nonprofit organizations:

In 2010, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $462,500 to 35 nonprofit organizations:

In 2009, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $424,200 to 28 nonprofit organizations:

In 2008, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $478,500 to 32 nonprofit organizations:

In 2007, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $388,081 to 31 nonprofit organizations:

In 2006, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $381,600 to 28 nonprofit organizations:

In 2005, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $336,410 to 28 nonprofit organizations:

In 2004, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $301,000 to 26 nonprofit organizations:

In 2003, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $306,013 to 23 nonprofit organizations:

In 2002, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $293,335 to 23 nonprofit organizations:

In 2001, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $307,140 to 19 nonprofit organizations:

In 2000, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $225,334 to 14 nonprofit organizations:

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