In 2025, Akron Community Foundation awarded $404,000 in proactive grants focused on housing, mental health and public safety. These grants supported programs with the potential for significant, long-term community impact through two funding categories:
- Systems Change (up to $150,000 multi-year grants) supports efforts to improve policies, structures and systems to create lasting transformation.
- Systems Capacity ($50,000 one-time grants) helps organizations strengthen internal operations so they can grow, adapt and sustain transformative changes within the systems they operate.
Systems Change Grants:
- AxessPointe Community Health Centers, to address homelessness and affordable housing in Summit County and Northeast Ohio, supported by a $5 million grant from the Jeff Bezos Day 1 Fund. With a focus on outreach, shelter, housing, and wraparound services, the effort aims to create systemic change by integrating health care and supportive services into housing solutions. Funding from Akron Community Foundation's proactive grant will help expand homeless outreach efforts and support community health workers, ensuring individuals receive the trusted connections and resources needed for long-term stability. $50,000 (Year One)
- Greenleaf Family Center, to launch the PEERS (Parent Education, Empowerment, Resources and Support) Center for Family Engagement, to drive systemic change in Summit County's child-serving systems by amplifying parent and caregiver voices, particularly those of children with mental health challenges. Building on the success of its PEERS Parent Advocacy program, the Center will empower families to advocate for systemic improvements while also working with organizations to adopt family-driven care practices and reduce stigma. Through education, peer support and partnerships, the Center aims to create a more inclusive, equitable and effective systems of care for children and families. $79,000 (Year One)
- Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center, for Path to Prevention, a culturally responsive sexual abuse prevention program designed to ensure Erin's Law is effectively implemented in Summit County, reaching the most vulnerable youth. Going beyond legal requirements, the program partners with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and community organizations to provide interactive education, professional training, and community engagement, equipping children, families and educators with tools to prevent, recognize and respond to abuse. By focusing on high-risk youth and strengthening trusted community connections, Path to Prevention enhances public safety, empowers children, and builds a more informed and supportive community. $50,000 (Year One)
- The Well CDC, to create The Good Neighbor Collective, a community-driven model that fosters peer learning, supportive landlord-tenant relationships, and pathways to stable tenancy and homeownership, addressing the deep challenges residents face in home maintenance, life skills and financial literacy, which contribute to housing instability, high tenant turnover, and unsustainable costs. The Collective will strengthen neighborhood resources, train local leaders, and integrate life skills education into community programs, creating a sustainable system of support that promotes long-term housing stability. $75,000 (Year One)
Systems Capacity grants:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina & Stark Counties, to expand the Summit County Mentoring Collaborative (SCMC), which was established in 2021 to address a critical mentoring shortage and expand opportunities for local youth by bringing organizations together to share resources, implement best practices, and recruit mentors. SCMC will launch a mentor recruitment campaign using targeted events, digital marketing, and a unified communication strategy to attract volunteers, especially in underserved areas. By expanding mentorship opportunities, this initiative fosters positive relationships, emotional support, and stability for youth, which are essential for mental well-being, resilience, and overall personal development. $50,000
- Child Guidance & Family Solutions, to support a collaboration among CGFS, Portage Path Behavioral Health, ACCESS Inc., and Family Promise of Summit County to provide onsite mental health services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Mental health providers will be available at shelters 24 hours per week, offering consultations, education, and connections to additional services, while also training shelter staff to better support residents' mental health needs. This initiative aims to reduce mental health symptoms, improve well-being, and enhance stability for children and adults facing homelessness and substance use challenges. $50,000
- Community Legal Aid, to improve access to justice for low-income renters living in unsafe and unhealthy conditions by implementing systemic changes, legal education, and tenant empowerment initiatives. The project will create self-help materials, outreach efforts, streamlined legal processes, and professional training to help tenants exercise their rights and navigate the complex rent escrow process. Over time, these efforts will enhance housing habitability, tenant protections, and community well-being in Greater Akron. $50,000