Stories: ACF Stories

For two individuals who are well known for their abundant generosity, David and Cheryl Venarge's journey is not one of overnight success or inherited wealth. It's a story built on grit, grace, and a shared belief that when someone needs help, you give it....

You are likely aware that many families in our community are struggling, and you may be wondering how you can help most effectively. Whether increased community needs are triggered by a government shutdown that disrupts paychecks, services and community...

Recently, the fundraising platform GoFundMe made headlines after automatically creating donation pages for about 1.4 million nonprofits – many of which knew nothing about it. Here's what you should know – and why we encourage you to give directly via...

In an economic and legislative environment full of unpredictability, we encourage you to tap the knowledgeable staff at Akron Community Foundation–perhaps even more than you have in the past.  If you've already established a donor-advised or other type...

It's more important than ever to stay informed about how changes in the tax law may affect your charitable giving. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates both challenges and opportunities for structuring your philanthropy. We encourage...

Philanthropy binds families together and challenges them to think bigger than themselves. The Center for Family Philanthropy features state-of-the-art, multigenerational philanthropic services, including education, community needs assessments, and grantmaking...

When two lifelong Akron residents met with attorney Sheri Peters to talk about their estate plans, they knew they wanted charitable giving to be part of their plan.  As retired educators with no children of their own, the donors care deeply about...

Time and again, research shows us that finding purpose is an essential component of a happy and satisfying retirement. Consider the following: Indeed, retirement offers a unique opportunity for individuals to rediscover their sense of purpose beyond the...

By Chris Miller, Communications & Community Investment Officer Amid a nationwide epidemic, Summit County remains deeply impacted by one of the most pressing public health and safety challenges of our time. As of June 30, 2025, the county has recorded 487...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, after the House of Representatives approved the Senate's changes to H.R. 1, which passed the House by a narrow margin in May.  The OBBBA, with nearly 900 pages of...