Women's Endowment Fund's annual SHEro campaign to coincide with International Women's Day
Proceeds support grantmaking to programs that uplift and empower local women and girls
The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation invites community members to honor the important women in their lives through its annual "Who Is Your SHEro?" campaign. This year's campaign is launching on International Women's Day to emphasize the fund's commitment to the advancement of women and girls in Summit County.
Through April 30, community members are encouraged to make tribute or memorial gifts in honor of their SHEroes – the women who have made a significant impact on them. These women can be mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, mentors, or anyone who has positively influenced their life. In turn, those honored can receive a SHEro card informing them a donation was made in their name (gift amounts will not be disclosed).
Donations are fully tax-deductible and ultimately support the Women's Endowment Fund's grantmaking to programs that improve the health and wellness, safety, and economic empowerment of women and girls in Summit County.
"The 'Who Is Your SHEro?' campaign isn't just about honoring the women who have empowered us," said CJ Haines, who is co-chairing the SHEro campaign with V. Rena Suber. "It's also a way to pay that support forward to the women and girls in our community who need it the most."
This year, campaign organizers aim to raise $60,000 through a team of SHEro ambassadors, each of whom has committed to raising money through their personal and professional networks. To learn more and make a gift to the campaign, visit YourSHEro.org.
There are four easy ways to celebrate your SHEroes:
- Donate online at YourSHEro.org
- Call Akron Community Foundation at 330-376-8522
- Donate by texting SHERO to 71777
- Mail a check payable to Akron Community Foundation with "SHEro" in the memo line to: Women's Endowment Fund c/o Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307.
Major sponsors of the Women's Endowment Fund and its SHEro campaign include The J.M. Smucker Company, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro's Department of Job and Family Services, the Read Family, FirstEnergy Corp, and Leppo Rents.
About the Women's Endowment Fund
The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation was established in 1993 as a permanent endowment committed to encouraging the advancement of women and girls in Summit County. To date, it has grown to more than $4.8 million and awarded nearly $2.1 million in grants. Contributions of any amount are welcome and can be made online at akroncf.org/give/WEF or mailed to Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307. For more information, call 330-376-8522 or visit womensendowmentfund.org.
About Akron Community Foundation
For 68 years, Akron Community Foundation has been our community's champion and generator of enduring philanthropy. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of more than $288 million with a growing family of more than 870 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 $236 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 akroncf.org.