Approximately one-fourth of Akron Community Foundation's annual grantmaking is distributed through competitive grant cycles to benefit nonprofit organizations throughout our community. These grants are awarded through the foundation's quarterly grantmaking processes, annual or semi-annual grant programs, and our affiliate funds' grant cycles.
Our competitive grants support a vast array of issues and interest areas in the community, including arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic affairs, women and children, racial minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, capital needs, grassroots programs, and specific geographic regions. Ready to apply for a grant? Let us help you get started.
Do you have a program that improves our community's quality of life? Are you in need of financial, technical or intellectual resources to make it successful?
Let us help you find the right competitive grant programs, community resources, and opportunities for collaboration so you can fully realize your charitable mission.
Nonprofits can apply for one Community Fund grant per year in the cycle that is most applicable to their program.
Applications accepted March 1 - April 1
A vibrant cultural landscape enriches our community's quality of life. The artistic and cultural offerings Akron Community Foundation supports appeal to diverse audiences throughout Summit County. Examples include performing and visual arts programs, historical societies and museums, and multimedia storytelling.
See our most recent Arts & Culture grants or view the application questions.
Applications accepted June 1 - July 1
We believe our community's well-being depends on citizen involvement. We make grants to strengthen our neighborhoods, infrastructure and economy through programs that engage residents, improve our environment, promote recreation, and attract people and businesses to our region.
See our most recent Civic Affairs grants or view the application questions.
Applications accepted Sept. 1 - Oct. 1
In caring for the neediest among us, we improve life for us all. We invest in a spectrum of services for Summit County's most vulnerable residents, from basic needs like food, shelter and medical treatment to programs designed to increase self-sufficiency and wellness.
See our most recent Health & Human Services grants or view the application questions.
Applications accepted Nov. 15 - Dec. 15
Children's success in school and in life hinges profoundly on their capacity to learn. That's why Akron Community Foundation approaches learning from a holistic perspective. Preference for our education grants is given to programs that align with the Cradle to Career continuum, which focuses on key transition points throughout a student's entire education. In addition, we focus a portion of our funding specifically on early learning programs that prepare children from birth to age 5 to succeed.
See our most recent Education grants or view the application questions.
If your program fits the focus area, you can apply for a grant from each of these funds annually.
Applications accepted Sept. 1 - Oct. 1
The mission of Bath Community Fund is to strengthen the Bath community for current and future generations by providing leadership, fostering collaboration, and creating a legacy of charitable giving. It supports programs that preserve the township's historical and environmental legacy, enhance the local arts and culture landscape, serve youth through education and recreation, and meet residents' social service needs. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the application questions and FAQs.
Applications accepted Nov. 15 - Dec. 15
The mission of the Gay Community Endowment Fund is to support the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ community by providing grants and scholarships that advance the right to live safely, openly and authentically. Areas of focus include programs that create safer environments for LGBTQ+ youth, combat phobias of the LGBTQ+ community, and support mental health and suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ+ people, among other issues. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the impact grant application questions or micro grant application questions and FAQs.
Applications accepted Aug. 1 - Sept. 1
A partnership of Akron Community Foundation and the Akron Beacon Journal, the Millennium Fund for Children supports arts, civic, education, and health and human services programs for children throughout Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties. It makes grants where even a small amount can make a big difference. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the application questions and FAQs.
Applications accepted Nov. 15 - Dec. 15
The Vernon L. Odom Fund makes small grants to innovative programs that promote ethnic and racial harmony in Greater Akron and improve the quality of life within its minority communities. The fund is named for former Akron Urban League President Vernon L. Odom Sr. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the application questions and FAQs.
Applications accepted Jan. 1 - Feb. 1
The Parent Coalition Heritage Fund for Adults with Special Needs was established in 2011 to educate residential providers who care for adults with developmental disabilities to help improve their quality of life. Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations can apply. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the application questions and FAQs.
Applications accepted Aug. 15 - Sept. 15
The Rosalie and Cecil Smith Fund was established in 2007 by Cecil Smith in honor of his wife, Rosalie, to help reduce Summit County's feral cat population and to spay and neuter cats and dogs living in low-income households. The fund accepts requests from applicants with experience in, or a firm understanding of, feral animal spay and neuter methods. Local organizations may be affiliated with regional or national organizations, but their programs must be executed in Summit County. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the application questions and FAQs.
Applications accepted Oct. 1 - Nov. 1
The Women's Endowment Fund encourages the advancement of Summit County women and girls and their growth as philanthropists. Its current funding priorities are health and wellness, safety from violence, and economic empowerment for local women and girls. To learn more, contact John Garofalo or view the application questions and FAQs.
We also offer other specialized funding opportunities, including:
Applications accepted May 1 - June 1
Every other year, the community foundation offers capital grants to organizations that need funding to renovate or repair their facilities, or to purchase essential equipment. These grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are available to current recipients of the foundation's competitive grant cycles, as well as to organizations with agency endowment funds at Akron Community Foundation. It is strongly recommended that at least 50% of the funds needed for the project are secured before applying for a capital grant. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with capital projects that benefit Summit County residents are qualified to apply.
Look for information about the next application process in 2026. To learn more, contact John Garofalo.
The Summit County Opioid Healing Fund provides grants of up to $25,000 to nonprofits supporting Summit County residents directly impacted by the opioid epidemic. This fund was developed to recognize and aid the work of the organizations tirelessly working with limited resources and institutional support to respond, rebuild and recover from the opioid epidemic. Over the past two years, Akron Community Foundation has awarded more than $1.2 million in Summit County Opioid Settlement Funds, with the latest round of grants announced in September 2023. For more information, contact John Garofalo or Brian Reitz.
Applications accepted May 1-31
The Akron Community Cemetery Preservation Fund was established in 2015 for the restoration of historic gravesites and the beautification of public cemeteries in Coventry Township and/or Ward 7 of the City of Akron that offer free burials to veterans of the U.S. military. The grant application is available online, but applicants will need an access code before they can apply. If you meet the requirements listed above, please contact Kim Nott for the code and the link to apply online.
For more information about our grant opportunities, reach out to our community investment team.
We help nonprofits sustain their charitable missions forever through agency endowment funds held right here at Akron Community Foundation. Endowments offer a predictable source of income in an unstable funding environment. We also offer development guidance to help you grow your endowment over time, as well as the ability to accept more complex charitable gifts from your donors.
Nonprofits that establish endowment funds benefit from Akron Community Foundation's financial stability, reputation, economies-of-scale investment benefits, and support services. Endowments also attract donors who prefer a permanent alternative to annual giving.
Reach out to Brian Reitz for more information about how we can help your nonprofit thrive.
We're proud to offer a wide selection of resources for your nonprofit organization, including videos, training opportunities, grant application tutorials and more.
Take advantage of these online resources designed to help your nonprofit grow and thrive.
We've compiled our most helpful grant application guidelines and resources for your use.
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Hope United staff witnesses firsthand the impact of meetings and support groups on people whose lives have been affected by substance abuse, along with connections made among people in recovery as they find common ground. Grants from Akron Community Foundation have funded grief support groups for families who have lost a loved one to addiction or overdose, as well as recovery programming.
Complete this brief questionnaire to tell us about your organization's history and mission.