Sixth round of Community Response Fund for Nonprofits grants approved
Total COVID-19-related funding from Akron Community Foundation more than $1.2 million
Since mid-March, more than 40 funds at Akron Community Foundation, including its Community Response Fund for Nonprofits, have awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to specifically address the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Community Response Fund for Nonprofits, a fund established by the foundation at the beginning of the pandemic to provide flexible resources to area nonprofits, has distributed $453,298 of this funding, including its most recent round of grants approved last week totaling $87,708. The additional grants were provided primarily through dozens of the foundation's donor-advised funds, which are charitable funds created by individuals, families and organizations to manage their personal philanthropic contributions.
This sixth round of funding from the Community Response Fund for Nonprofits includes $5,000 awarded to Habitat for Humanity of Summit County to provide emergency mortgage assistance for its current homeowners.
To date, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County has built more than 200 homes, housing more than 300 adults and 500 children. These homes are sold to underserved residents through 30-year, zero-interest mortgages, which are paid directly to Habitat in monthly installments, creating the organization's "revolving fund for humanity."
"Mortgage assistance for Habitat for Humanity homeowners is pivotal right now," said Rochelle D. Sibbio, president & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County. "Due to the current pandemic, we have witnessed our families receive layoff notices, experience reduced working hours, and rely more heavily on emergency community services during this challenging time. Low- to moderate-income families especially struggle during a crisis. We are fortunate to have Akron Community Foundation support these families and help them maintain their home mortgages."
An additional $5,000 was awarded to Proyecto RAICES to support its "Physically Distant, Socially Connected" virtual summer programing for Summit County Latinx youth. "The ACF grant has allowed us to reconfigure our program delivery and maintain many of the main elements of our program," said Program Director Rita Aggarwal. "We are able to focus on keeping Latinx youth safe, healthy, and socially connected in this very difficult time."
The nonprofit's summer program will focus on safety and health education surrounding COVID-19. Through this programming, Proyecto RAICES partnered with local medical facilities, including AxessPointe, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and Summa Health Medical Group to provide participating youth with impactful information and important updates about the pandemic.
For more information about the Community Response Fund for Nonprofits, visit www.akroncf.org/communityresponsefundinfo. Below is a complete list of the sixth round of grants awarded:
Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, to purchase nonperishable meals and grocery cards for physically disabled youth and their families, $1,500
American Red Cross of Summit, Portage and Medina Counties, to provide critical relief services for Summit and Medina County residents affected by disasters, $5,000
Building for Tomorrow, to provide support for Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) residents that have lost income due to COVID-19, $5,000
Catholic Charities Community Services of Medina County, to provide basic needs assistance to Medina County residents, $5,000
Child Guidance & Family Solutions, to support virtual telehealth services to ensure client safety throughout the current health crisis, $4,638
Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership, Inc., to support small business recovery in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, $2,500
Embrace Clinic & Care Center, to purchase in-demand items, including baby formula and diapers, for its clients, $5,000
Faithful Servants Care Center, to provide urgent medical care to uninsured Summit County residents, $5,000
The First Tee of Greater Akron, to support a safe restart of providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf, $4,570
Forever R Children, to provide essential items and food distribution for at-risk students and their families in the Kenmore and Summit Lake communities, $2,000
Freedom House for Women, Inc., to purchase cleaning supplies and update client data software, $5,000
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, to support the transition to virtual programming to continue to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place, $5,000
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Inc., to provide emergency mortgage assistance for its current homeowners, $5,000
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, to support the Dare to Love More (DLM) Food & Resources local food pantry, $2,500
Project Learn of Summit County, to support virtual instruction and the safe return to in-person instruction for adult literacy, GED, and English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) education, $5,000
Proyecto RAICES, to support its "Physically Distant, Socially Connected" virtual summer programing for Summit County Latinx youth, $5,000
Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio, to purchase personal protective equipment and virtual workflow technology for staff and homeowners, $5,000
Safety Forces Support Center, to provide mental health counseling and support services to first responders in Summit County, $5,000, and to fund engagement activities by first responders to build positive community relationships, $3,000
Second Chance Village, to distribute comfort care and basic needs items for individuals facing homelessness, $2,500
Shanti Community Farms, to support a farm-to-school and international peace garden for North Hill students and families, $2,500
Wadsworth Communications, Inc., to provide critical COVID-19-related information to listeners and support a safe alternative graduation ceremony for Wadsworth High School seniors, $2,000