The Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award was created in 1969 to honor the late Bert Polsky, president of the former Polsky's Department Store and founding trustee of Akron Community Foundation.
Each year, the community foundation presents the Polsky Humanitarian Award to the individual or couple who best exemplifies Bert Polsky's selfless dedication to humanitarian causes in Akron. Honorees come from a variety of backgrounds, from business executives to lifelong volunteers.
Father Norm Douglas, co-founder of Heart to Heart Leadership, is the 2024 recipient of Akron Community Foundation's Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award. Father Norm recently celebrated 50 years of serving the Catholic Church and is well known for his work in cultivating purpose-driven, values-based, community-minded leadership.
Father Norm's philanthropic leadership was recognized at our annual award dinner on Oct. 15. We're grateful to the many generous sponsors and contributors who made this event possible.
A committee of past Polsky Award honorees reviews nominations from the community annually using the following criteria:
Since 1969, Akron Community Foundation has recognized philanthropic leaders across all sectors of the community, from rubber industry magnate M.G. O'Neil to renowned civil rights leader Vernon L. Odom Sr. to community leader Dorothy O. Jackson. To celebrate these esteemed Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award honorees, we created a virtual presentation reflecting on the history of philanthropy in our community, told through the lives of our past recipients.