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A Common Theme

Akron Community Foundation is a library of personal stories. Their authors? Charitable people just like you who want to enrich the community in their own unique way, now and forever.

Some are fundholder stories, which feature charitable individuals, families and organizations that find purpose, ease and fulfillment by giving through Akron Community Foundation. Others are grantee stories about nonprofits that are leveraging generous gifts from our donors and fundholders to improve life all over Summit County. Still others are advisor stories about legal and financial professionals who have expanded their services and strengthened client relationships by offering philanthropic services through Akron Community Foundation.

Ready to write your own story? Learn how you can start a charitable fund and leave your mark on the community for generations to come. You can also read our publications for more inspiring stories about philanthropy in Greater Akron.

Girls Night Social celebrates extraordinary women in Bath
Girls Night Social celebrates extraordinary women in Bath
On Sept. 23, ladies from Bath Community Fund hosted a Girls Night Social to celebrate the fund's "200 Years - 200 Women" campaign. The campaign honors women who have made a lasting difference in Bath by encouraging people to donate to the fund in their honor...
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Rooted in Philanthropy
Rooted in Philanthropy
When Ed Schrank celebrated his 90th birthday with friends and family members two years ago, his most memorable gift was not something he received, but something he gave. A lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, Ed rented a bus and took his large family on a...
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GCEF presents Paul Daum Award to Ken Ditlevson
GCEF presents Paul Daum Award to Ken Ditlevson
Each year, the Gay Community Endowment Fund recognizes an individual, business or organization that has actively supported the LGBTQ+ community with its Paul Daum Award. The award, which is named for a founding donor of the fund and a professor of theater at...
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Women's Endowment Fund celebrates 25 years
Women's Endowment Fund celebrates 25 years
An idea sparked in the early 1990s by six women ignited a 25-year legacy of uplifting local women and girls. Through the years, founding mothers Jody Bacon, Marie Covington, Carrie Herman, Norma Rist, Ilene Shapiro and Laurie Zuckerman have seen the Women's...
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Grant supports advocacy of LGBTQ youth in foster care
Grant supports advocacy of LGBTQ youth in foster care
In 2017, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded a $2,500 grant to the CASA Board Volunteer Association to support a community awareness campaign about the needs of LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system. Beth Cardina, president/executive program director...
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Small gifts snowball into big change for area children
Small gifts snowball into big change for area children
Philanthropy isn't just the domain of the wealthy. In fact, small amounts can yield big returns, especially when donating to an endowment fund like the Millennium Fund for Children. Akron resident Rose Marie Schreier has given modestly, but what makes her...
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Grant helps build new restroom at Bath Nature Preserve
Grant helps build new restroom at Bath Nature Preserve
During its first cycle of grants in 2016, Bath Community Fund awarded $14,500 to five local nonprofits to support a wide range of community projects. One of the largest grants went to the Bath Park Board for the construction of an additional restroom at the...
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Anonymous donor leaves $2.4 million estate gift
Anonymous donor leaves $2.4 million estate gift
When a retired schoolteacher and administrator passed away earlier this year, she left behind a lasting legacy in not only education, but also in charitable giving. Through a bequest in her will, the lifelong Summit County resident gave nearly $2.4 million to...
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