To identify, activate and support informed and passionate philanthropists who strive to improve the quality of life in our community.
A large share of Akron Community Foundation’s grantmaking reaches organizations working in Akron and across Summit County, with 95% of grants going to recipients in Ohio. The foundation’s recent awards show a mix of operating support, program support, and targeted investments in education, arts, health, and community services. Among the larger recent grants, it gave $1,042,750 to the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition to support free student nights and pay-what-you-will performances of classical theatre programming, and $655,484 to Summit Education Initiative to support readiness coalitions that promote community collaboration and kindergarten readiness. The foundation also funds multi-purpose community institutions. It awarded $631,898 to United Way of Summit and Medina for general program support and $435,602 to The University of Akron Foundation to support Developing Heroes, an in-school group mentoring program for urban adolescents in Akron. Other recent grants point to support for local infrastructure and public life, including arts organizations, neighborhood partnerships, and health providers. Its donor-advised grantmaking sits alongside community fund cycles and affiliate funds, so the portfolio includes both broad local support and more targeted efforts for specific populations and places.
Education is a clear theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $655,484 to Summit Education Initiative to support readiness coalitions that promote community collaboration and kindergarten readiness, and $348,203 to The University of Akron Foundation to support Summit County K-3 teachers in evidence-based reading instruction for at-risk readers through an equity-informed multi-tiered system of supports. Arts and culture also appear in recent awards. The foundation granted $333,247 to Art Resources Transformations to support public art in vacant storefront windows and buildings in downtown Akron, and $1,042,750 to the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition for free student nights and pay-what-you-will performances of classical theatre programming. In health and human services, it awarded $400,229 to Access Inc for general program support and $309,250 to Summa Health for general operations. Youth-focused support includes $435,602 to The University of Akron Foundation for in-school group mentoring for urban adolescents in Akron.
$31.4M
$305.5M
$20.3M
$20M
Most grants fall between $10K and $38K, with a median of $17K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$17K
75th Percentile
$38K
JOHN T PETURES JR
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Typical grants cluster in the five-figure range, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $17,350, and a p75 of $37,500. Recent awards also include several seven-figure and six-figure distributions, reflecting a mix of routine community grants and larger institutional support. The foundation’s structure is that of a mixed community foundation, and its active programs include quarterly competitive cycles, biennial capital grants, affiliate funds, and donor-advised grantmaking. The presence of repeat grantees such as Summit Education Initiative, United Way of Summit and Medina, and The University of Akron Foundation across multiple years suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
Grant dollars are overwhelmingly local: 95% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely US-based. Akron appears often, with repeated grants to organizations in Akron, including the Akron Civic Theatre, Summit Education Initiative, and Art Resources Transformations. Other Ohio recipient cities include Cleveland, where Cleveland Foundation and University Hospitals Health System received recent awards, and Medina, home to Medina County Community Foundation. Peninsula also appears through a grant to the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Its typical grant sizes sit in the five-figure range. The p25 is $10,000, the median is $17,350, and the p75 is $37,500. Recent giving also includes much larger awards, so the distribution is broad rather than uniform.
The foundation supports Arts & Culture, Civic Affairs, Health & Human Services, Education, Housing, Mental Health, Public Safety, Scholarships, Capital Grants, Proactive Grants, and donor-advised grantmaking. Its active program descriptions also show targeted cycles for community fund grants, capital improvements, and issue-specific affiliate funds.
It is highly local. The geographic scope of giving is local, 95% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely US-based. Recent grants cluster around Akron and other Ohio communities such as Cleveland, Medina, and Peninsula.
Yes. Recent grants show support for kindergarten readiness, evidence-based reading instruction for K-3 students, public theatre programming, public art, LGBTQ+ student support, in-school mentoring for urban adolescents, and basic-needs and health-related services through local organizations.
Yes. Active programs include the Black Giving Collective Fund, Bath Community Fund Grants, Affiliate Funds, the Summit County Opioid Healing Fund, and the Summit Health and Safety Innovation Fund. These programs are tied to specific populations, neighborhoods, or issue areas such as the Black community, Bath Township, opioid recovery, and Summit County health and safety.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDINA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MEDINA, OH | $1,099,309 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OHIO & ERIE CANALWAY COALITION | AKRON, OH | $1,042,750 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT FREE STUDENT NIGHTS AND PAY WHAT YOU WILL PERFORMANCES OF CLASSICAL THEATRE PROGRAMMING |
| AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $1,012,470 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER AKRON CHAMBER FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $707,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION |
| UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT AND MEDINA | AKRON, OH | $631,898 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| IBH FOUNDATION INC | AKRON, OH | $601,742 | 2025 | FOR A CONFERENCE THAT EMPOWERS, EDUCATES, AND SUPPORTS LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND ALLIES IN GRADES 7-12 |
| SUMMIT EDUCATION INITIATIVE | AKRON, OH | $566,664 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SUMMIT EDUCATION INITIATIVE | AKRON, OH | $519,648 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IBH FOUNDATION INC | AKRON, OH | $457,747 | 2025 | FOR IMPROVEMENTS, MAINTENANCE AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $435,602 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT DEVELOPING HEROES: IN-SCHOOL GROUP MENTORING FOR URBAN ADOLESCENTS IN AKRON |
| UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT AND MEDINA | AKRON, OH | $422,974 | 2025 | FOR THE ALAN AND JANICE WOLL FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND FOR JEWISH EDUCATION |
| ACCESS INC | AKRON, OH | $400,229 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HEALTH SYSTEM INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $382,466 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SUMMIT METRO PARKS FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $375,275 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $373,869 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LEADERSHIP AKRON | AKRON, OH | $341,656 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AKRON ART MUSEUM | AKRON, OH | $316,655 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SUMMA HEALTH | AKRON, OH | $309,250 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP INC | AKRON, OH | $267,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN HONOR OF KIM HUFF IN SUPPORT OF HER WOMAN OF IMPACT NOMINATION |
| SUMMIT METRO PARKS FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $266,351 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $260,182 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ART RESOURCES TRANSFORMATIONS DBA CURATED STOREFRONT | AKRON, OH | $258,933 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF MEDINA COUNTY PARKS INC | MEDINA, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW PLAYSCAPE AT ALLARDALE PARK, A MEDINA COUNTY PARK, WHICH WILL ALLOW CHILDREN OF ALL AGES TO DISCOVER AN EXCITING WAY TO CONNECT WITH NATURE THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE PLAYSCAPE |
| ST VINCENT PARISH FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK | AKRON, OH | $243,010 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER | HENDERSON, NV | $230,000 | 2025 | FOR THE FCC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| AKRON ART MUSEUM | AKRON, OH | $221,910 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMMIT COUNTY | AKRON, OH | $221,654 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SUMMA FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $221,083 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION EDUCATION TO STUDENTS IN SUMMIT COUNTY |
| AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | AKRON, OH | $220,824 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | HUDSON, OH | $206,100 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOR CHILDREN, TEEN, AND YOUNG FAMILIES' PROGRAMING IN KENMORE |
| AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK | AKRON, OH | $194,750 | 2025 | FOR THE BENEFIT OF REACHING ABOVE HOPELESSNESS AND BROKENNESS MINISTRIES INC. AKA RAHAB MINISTRIES VIA THE 2023 WISH BOOK TO SUPPORT TRAUMA-INFORMED TRAINING TO STAFF WORKING WITH THOSE AFFECTED BY SEX TRAFFICKING |
| DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP INC | AKRON, OH | $187,500 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS UNLIMITED DBA BVU THE CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE | CLEVELAND, OH | $182,719 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY HALL FOUNDATION PROGRAM ENDOWMENT DBA AKRON CIVIC THEATRE | AKRON, OH | $181,347 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS UNLIMITED DBA BVU THE CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE | CLEVELAND, OH | $176,350 | 2025 | FOR JANE'S SUNSHINE FUND IN RECOGNITION OF WONDERFUL EVENT HELD ON 9/30/2023 |
| AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | AKRON, OH | $173,576 | 2025 | TO BE USED TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A 2023 FORD TRANSIT VAN |
| COMMUNITY HALL FOUNDATION PROGRAM ENDOWMENT DBA AKRON CIVIC THEATRE | AKRON, OH | $172,981 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE ACTIVITIES IN HIGHLAND SQUARE, INCLUDING PORCHROKR AND FILM FEST |
| WELL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | AKRON, OH | $169,300 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LET'S GROW AKRON INC | AKRON, OH | $163,000 | 2025 | FOR VISION BUILDER |
| MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $155,500 | 2025 | FOR PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT TARGETING UNDERSERVED YOUTH |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMMIT COUNTY | TWINSBURG, OH | $152,448 | 2025 | SPENDABLE INCOME FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 2023 |
| VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INC | AKRON, OH | $151,500 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CONSERVANCY FOR CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK | PENINSULA, OH | $145,735 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILD GUIDANCE & FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC | AKRON, OH | $143,750 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONSERVANCY FOR CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK | PENINSULA, OH | $137,389 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GREATER AKRON AMENITIES INC | AKRON, OH | $135,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP/LIEGL, GAVIN ID#:025381 04 |
| LEADERSHIP AKRON | AKRON, OH | $132,550 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $126,193 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT IN 2024 |
| AKRON 200 INC | AKRON, OH | $126,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT AKRON'S BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS |
MEDINA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,099,309FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
OHIO & ERIE CANALWAY COALITION
$1,042,750TO SUPPORT FREE STUDENT NIGHTS AND PAY WHAT YOU WILL PERFORMANCES OF CLASSICAL THEATRE PROGRAMMING
GREATER AKRON CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$707,000ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION
IBH FOUNDATION INC
FOR A CONFERENCE THAT EMPOWERS, EDUCATES, AND SUPPORTS LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND ALLIES IN GRADES 7-12
IBH FOUNDATION INC
$457,747FOR IMPROVEMENTS, MAINTENANCE AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
TO SUPPORT DEVELOPING HEROES: IN-SCHOOL GROUP MENTORING FOR URBAN ADOLESCENTS IN AKRON
UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT AND MEDINA
$422,974FOR THE ALAN AND JANICE WOLL FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND FOR JEWISH EDUCATION
AKRON ART MUSEUM
$316,655FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
SUMMA HEALTH
$309,250FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP INC
$267,000FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN HONOR OF KIM HUFF IN SUPPORT OF HER WOMAN OF IMPACT NOMINATION
FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF MEDINA COUNTY PARKS INC
$250,000TO BE USED FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW PLAYSCAPE AT ALLARDALE PARK, A MEDINA COUNTY PARK, WHICH WILL ALLOW CHILDREN OF ALL AGES TO DISCOVER AN EXCITING WAY TO CONNECT WITH NATURE THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE PLAYSCAPE
ST VINCENT PARISH FOUNDATION
$250,000FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE FRANCISCAN CHAPEL CENTER
$230,000FOR THE FCC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
AKRON ART MUSEUM
$221,910TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS
SUMMA FOUNDATION
$221,083TO PROVIDE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION EDUCATION TO STUDENTS IN SUMMIT COUNTY
AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$220,824FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
HUDSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$206,100TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOR CHILDREN, TEEN, AND YOUNG FAMILIES' PROGRAMING IN KENMORE
AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK
$194,750FOR THE BENEFIT OF REACHING ABOVE HOPELESSNESS AND BROKENNESS MINISTRIES INC. AKA RAHAB MINISTRIES VIA THE 2023 WISH BOOK TO SUPPORT TRAUMA-INFORMED TRAINING TO STAFF WORKING WITH THOSE AFFECTED BY SEX TRAFFICKING
FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
COMMUNITY HALL FOUNDATION PROGRAM ENDOWMENT DBA AKRON CIVIC THEATRE
$181,347FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOR JANE'S SUNSHINE FUND IN RECOGNITION OF WONDERFUL EVENT HELD ON 9/30/2023
AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$173,576TO BE USED TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A 2023 FORD TRANSIT VAN
COMMUNITY HALL FOUNDATION PROGRAM ENDOWMENT DBA AKRON CIVIC THEATRE
$172,981TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE ACTIVITIES IN HIGHLAND SQUARE, INCLUDING PORCHROKR AND FILM FEST
MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
$155,500FOR PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT TARGETING UNDERSERVED YOUTH
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMMIT COUNTY
$152,448SPENDABLE INCOME FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
GREATER AKRON AMENITIES INC
$135,000SCHOLARSHIP/LIEGL, GAVIN ID#:025381 04
AKRON 200 INC
$126,000TO SUPPORT AKRON'S BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS
Current and upcoming funding from Akron Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with programs benefiting Summit County residents. First-time applicants should complete the Tell Us About Your Program form and contact ACF before applying.
Deadline: Applications accepted September 1–October 1 annually.
Who can apply: Nonprofits with programs that uplift, empower, and educate women and girls in Summit County. Specific eligibility and application process determined by the affiliate's advisory board.
Deadline: Applications accepted Oct. 1 - Nov. 1
Who can apply: Programs must promote ethnic and racial harmony or improve quality of life within Greater Akron minority communities.
Deadline: November 15-December 15 annually
Who can apply: Nonprofits interested in applying can review deadlines and other information on the Competitive Grants page.
Deadline: Applications open one month prior to each grant deadline; specific dates are posted on the Competitive Grants page.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with programs that align with the foundation's Arts & Culture priorities and benefit Summit County residents. First-time applicants should complete the Tell Us About Your Program form and contact staff before applying.
Deadline: Applications accepted March 1 - April 1; applications open one month in advance.
Who can apply: Nonprofit partners working in the foundation's identified proactive focus areas.
Deadline: Varies; next cycle projected to open in 2027
Who can apply: The fund's first grant cycle is expected to begin in 2027; application details were not yet available in the provided content.
Deadline: First grant cycle expected to begin in 2027.
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