In addition to our four traditional grant cycles, Akron Community Foundation offers other specialized funding opportunities for area nonprofit organizations. These grant cycles enable nonprofits to secure funding for capital improvement projects, addiction prevention and recovery programs, emergency needs and more.
Our board also awards proactive grants that benefit the community above and beyond our competitive grant cycles, allowing the foundation to collaborate with targeted nonprofit partners to tackle key issues facing our community. These funding priorities are determined through community needs assessments and special initiatives like On the Table Greater Akron.
Grants & Initiatives
Since 2019, Akron Community Foundation has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in proactive grants to move the needle on important issues such as housing, mental health, public safety, diversity and inclusion, the aging senior population, and addiction.
Learn more about our Proactive Grants.
Akron Community Foundation offers grants every other year to nonprofits that need funding to renovate or repair their buildings or property, or to purchase equipment essential to the organization's ability to deliver quality programming to its clients.
Learn more about our Capital Grants.
Innovation Fund
Expected to be fully established by the end of 2025, the Summit Health and Safety Innovation Fund is a new supporting organization of Akron Community Foundation. The fund will receive an initial contribution of $45 million of the county's opioid litigation settlement funds for the purpose of benefiting the long-term health and safety of Summit County residents.
Learn more about the Summit Health and Safety Innovation Fund.
The Soul of Philanthropy is a national touring artistic exhibit that showcases the rich history and impactful stories of Black philanthropy. The exhibit is coming to Akron in November 2025 and will be on display at the Akron Art Museum through February 2026.
Learn more about The Soul of Philanthropy Akron.
On the Table Greater Akron is a community-wide initiative where diverse residents from all walks of life gather to discuss meaningful ideas to strengthen our community. During the past several years, this initiative has brought thousands of residents together to discuss pressing community issues.
Learn more about On the Table Greater Akron.