New Akron Community Foundation fund supports solutions to opiate, addiction crisis
HSC/Summit County Community Health Fund seeks grant proposals through Aug. 1
Grant proposals are being sought for a new Akron Community Foundation fund that addresses the local opiate and addiction crisis. The HSC/Summit County Community Health Fund will award grants to local nonprofit organizations and research and medical institutions, among others, that present solutions to the Summit County opiate crisis that can be replicated across the region and state.
Grants will be awarded over the next two years in two grant cycles: July 6 through Aug. 1; and Dec. 1 through Jan. 15. The first grant cycle is open now, and individual grants of up to $75,000 will be considered. Multi-year grants will also be accepted for up to $150,000. The first round of grants will be announced on Sept. 25, 2020.
Priority will be given to programs that enable professionals to obtain certification for a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Waiver, proposals that focus on alternative pain management techniques, and programs and services in Summit County that can best deliver measurable outcomes and solutions to the opiate and addiction crisis.
There have been more than 500 drug overdoses in Summit County so far this year, according to Summit County Public Health.
"The issue of drugs and addiction has been identified as a funding priority based on our proactive grantmaking strategy and from past On the Table Greater Akron discussions," said John Garofalo, vice president of community investment for Akron Community Foundation. "We're thankful for the establishment of the HSC/Summit County Community Health Fund, which we believe will have a significant impact on helping to address Summit County's opiate and addiction crisis."
The proposals will be evaluated by an advisory council composed of individuals with extensive expertise in pain management and/or addiction treatment, with final approval of the grants by Akron Community Foundation's board of directors.
As with other grant programs, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization or use a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3) organization. Funding will be made on a one-time basis, and preference will be given to organizations and proposals that agree to work collaboratively.
Interested nonprofits are encouraged to apply by visiting www.akroncf.org/HSCgrantapp. For questions or more information about the fund, contact John Garofalo, vice president of community investment, at 330-436-5624 or jgarofalo@akroncf.org.
About Akron Community Foundation
Celebrating 65 years of building community philanthropy, Akron Community Foundation embraces and enhances the work of charitable people who make a permanent commitment to the good of the community. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of more than $218 million with a growing family of more than 680 funds established by charitable people and organizations from all walks of life. The community foundation and its funds welcome gifts of all kinds, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets, just to name a few. To date, the community foundation's funds have awarded nearly $177 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. For more information about Akron Community Foundation or to learn more about creating your own charitable fund, call 330-376-8522 or visit www.akroncf.org.