The mission of Barberton Community Foundation is to strengthen the Barberton community for current and future generations by providing leadership, fostering collaboration, and creating a legacy of giving to do good. We envision an improved quality of life for Barberton residents, now and forever.
Downtown Barberton redevelopment is one of the clearest threads in The Barberton Community Foundation’s recent giving. Large grants to the Barberton Community Development Corporation supported downtown rehabilitation and economic development in 2024 and 2025, while the foundation also backed Main Street Barberton Inc. for downtown revitalization and operating support. That local emphasis sits alongside broader work in education, workforce readiness, health, and basic needs for Barberton residents. The foundation’s recent portfolio shows a place-based funder working across civic infrastructure and day-to-day community services. It has supported Barberton Public Schools for athletics, extracurricular activities, reading, tutoring, music, and attendance; Summa Health for cardiac-related equipment and monitors; and Victim Assistance Program Inc. for victim advocacy for Barberton residents. Housing and neighborhood renewal also appear in the mix through Habitat for Humanity of Summit County Inc. and a downtown mural project for Kave Coffee Bar LLC. Its grantmaking reaches city government, schools, nonprofits, health providers, and local businesses when the project serves Barberton. The foundation’s active programs include general grants, special project grants, scholarships, downtown rehabilitation support, and economic development assistance, with some initiatives structured as reimbursement-based awards and others as invitation-only or fund-specific grants.
Education shows up through several different channels. Barberton Public Schools received $126,234 in 2024 for athletics, extracurricular activities, reading, and tutoring, then another $17,109 in 2025 for athletics, extracurricular activities, tutoring, music, and attendance. Child Guidance & Family Solutions received $15,000 in 2025 for professional development and supplies for Barberton City Schools. Workforce and economic development are another throughline. The foundation gave $125,000 in 2025 to The Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce for economic development, $26,500 in 2023 to Tri-county Jobs for Ohios Graduates for municipality workforce development for Barberton youth, and $20,000 in 2023 to Bounce Innovation Hub for entrepreneurial education and support. Health-related grants include $25,000 in 2023 to Summa Health System - Barberton Campus for a CT machine for cardiac care and stroke therapies, plus $22,500 in 2025 to Summa Health for cardiac monitors for Barberton citizens. Community safety and recovery also appear through Victim Assistance Program Inc., which received grants for victim advocacy for Barberton residents.
$812K
$114.6M
$5M
$2.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $26K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$26K
JOSHUA GORDON
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Typical awards cluster at a modest local scale: the p25 grant size is $10,000, the median is $13,128, and the p75 is $26,125. The recent grant list also shows larger strategic awards above that range, including major downtown and economic development grants. Recipients appear across multiple years, especially Barberton Community Development Corporation, City of Barberton, Barberton Public Schools, Main Street Barberton Inc., and Victim Assistance Program Inc., which points to repeated support for ongoing local work. The foundation operates several grant channels, including unsolicited general grants, special project grants, reimbursement-based programs, and invitation-only multi-year grants. It also holds more than 116 named funds, and many fund grants have no fixed deadline.
Giving is entirely local and concentrated in Ohio, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recipient locations in the recent grants list are centered in Barberton, including Barberton Community Development Corporation, City of Barberton, Barberton Public Schools, Main Street Barberton Inc., Magical Theatre Company, and Summa Health. Akron appears as a secondary recipient city for organizations serving Barberton, such as The Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County Inc., and Victim Assistance Program Inc. A smaller number of grants also reached Cincinnati and Stow, again for Barberton-related work.
The foundation supports Barberton-focused work in education, workforce development, economic development, downtown revitalization, health and wellness, arts and community, and scholarships. Recent grants also show basic needs, victim advocacy, neighborhood revitalization, and city or school-based projects that benefit Barberton residents.
Typical grant sizes cluster around $10,000 to $26,125, with a median grant of $13,128. Recent awards also include larger project grants, such as $369,110 to Barberton Community Development Corporation and $125,000 to The Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Scholarships, Special Project Grants, Large Grants, the Community Grant Program, Downtown Building Rehabilitation, Economic Development Assistance Program, and Fund Grants. Multi-Year Grants are invitation only.
Barberton Community Development Corporation, City of Barberton, Barberton Public Schools, Main Street Barberton Inc., and Victim Assistance Program Inc. all appear more than once in the recent grants list. That pattern suggests ongoing support for local institutions and recurring community priorities.
The foundation’s programs are designed for Barberton residents, Barberton City Schools, the City of Barberton, tax-exempt nonprofits, and local projects tied to downtown and economic development. Scholarship awards are also available for Barberton students and residents, and some programs support businesses when the work benefits Barberton.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARBERTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | BARBERTON, OH | $271,220 | 2026 | DOWNTOWN REHABILITATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| BARBERTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | BARBERTON, OH | $69,506 | 2026 | ATHLETICS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, TUTORING, MUSIC, ATTENDANCE |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCE CENTER | CANTON, OH | $61,000 | 2026 | EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS FOR BARBERTON RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS |
| AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK | AKRON, OH | $58,726 | 2026 | EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR BARBERTON FOOD BANKS |
| MAIN STREET BARBERTON INC | BARBERTON, OH | $56,287 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT, DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION |
| MAGICAL THEATRE COMPANY | BARBERTON, OH | $37,484 | 2026 | PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS |
| CHILD GUIDANCE & FAMILY SOLUTIONS | AKRON, OH | $35,000 | 2026 | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR BARBERTON CITY SCHOOLS |
| VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INC | AKRON, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | VICTIM ADVOCACY FOR BARBERTON RESIDENTS |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF ST AUGUSTINE CHURCH | BARBERTON, OH | $21,841 | 2026 | EMERGENCY BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO | LORAIN, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | TROOPS IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, BARBERTON |
| LIMITLESS AMBITION INC | STOW, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | TEEN PROGRAMMING FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY SUMMIT COUNTY AREA SRVS | AKRON, OH | $17,711 | 2026 | FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT, WRAP-AROUND SERVICES, AND BASIC NEEDS FOR BARBERTON |
| ARTSNOW | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | ARTSFOWARD 2025 |
| NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME INC | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | CAMP INVENTION ATTENDANCE ASSISTANCE IN BARBERTON SCHOOLS |
| PORTAGE PATH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR BARBERTON RESIDENTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMMIT COUNTY | AKRON, OH | $13,455 | 2026 | VETERINARY SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME BARBERTON RESIDENTS |
| EMBRACING FUTURES INC | AKRON, OH | $12,000 | 2026 | ORTHODONTIC CARE PROGRAM |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SUMMIT COUNTY INC | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | BARBERTON NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION |
| SUMMIT EDUCATION INITIATIVE | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | BARBERTON PRESCHOOL COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT |
| AXESS FAMILY SERVICES | RAVENNA, OH | $7,500 | 2026 | MOBILE MEALS |
| BARBERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY | BARBERTON, OH | $7,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING |
| GREENLEAF FAMILY CENTER | AKRON, OH | $7,000 | 2026 | ADOLESCENT SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM |
| LAKE ANNA YMCA | BARBERTON, OH | $6,461 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| BARBERTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | BARBERTON, OH | $195,715 | 2025 | DOWNTOWN REHABILITATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| THE GREATER AKRON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AKRON, OH | $125,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CITY OF BARBERTON | BARBERTON, OH | $104,697 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PARKS AND RECREATION |
| MAIN STREET BARBERTON INC | BARBERTON, OH | $85,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT, DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION |
| VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INC | AKRON, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | VICTIM ADVOCACY FOR BARBERTON RESIDENTS |
| SUMMA HEALTH | BARBERTON, OH | $22,500 | 2025 | CARDIAC MONITORS FOR BARBERTON CITIZENS |
| LIMITLESS AMBITION INC | STOW, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | TEEN PROGRAMMING FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS |
| BARBERTON DIAMOND SPORTS | BARBERTON, OH | $17,500 | 2025 | BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PROGRAMMING FOR BARBERTON CHILDREN |
| BARBERTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | BARBERTON, OH | $17,109 | 2025 | ATHLETICS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, TUTORING, MUSIC, ATTENDANCE |
| KAVE COFFEE BAR LLC | BARBERTON, OH | $15,088 | 2025 | OUTDOOR MURAL FOR DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SUMMIT COUNTY INC | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | BARBERTON NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION |
| CHILD GUIDANCE & FAMILY SOLUTIONS | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR BARBERTON CITY SCHOOLS |
| NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME INC | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | CAMP INVENTION ATTENDANCE ASSISTANCE IN BARBERTON SCHOOLS |
| VANTAGE AGING | AKRON, OH | $13,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BARBERTON SENIORS |
| MAGICAL THEATRE COMPANY | BARBERTON, OH | $12,081 | 2025 | PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS |
| EMBRACING FUTURES INC | AKRON, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | ORTHODONTIC CARE PROGRAM FOR SEVERE NEEDS OF BARBERTON CITIZENS |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF ST AUGUSTINE CHURCH | BARBERTON, OH | $11,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OHIO | MACEDONIA, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | TROOPS IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, BARBERTON |
| ARTSNOW | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ARTSFOWARD 2025 |
| CARESTAR COMMUNITY SERVICES | CINCINNATI, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BASED WRAPAROUND SERVICES |
| UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT AND MEDINA | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | 2-1-1 INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES, FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FOR BARBERTON CITIZENS |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | STOW, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EXPLORING PROGRAM FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTH CENTRAL OHIO | CANTON, OH | $7,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL LITERACY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WORK READINESS |
| AKRON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | AKRON, OH | $6,000 | 2025 | CONCERTS FOR BARBERTON CHILDREN |
| BARBERTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | BARBERTON, OH | $369,110 | 2024 | DOWNTOWN REHABILITATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| BARBERTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | BARBERTON, OH | $126,234 | 2024 | ATHLETICS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, READING, TUTORING |
| MAIN STREET BARBERTON INC | AKRON, OH | $50,000 | 2024 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION |
BARBERTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$271,220DOWNTOWN REHABILITATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BARBERTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$69,506ATHLETICS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, TUTORING, MUSIC, ATTENDANCE
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS FOR BARBERTON RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS
MAIN STREET BARBERTON INC
$56,287OPERATING SUPPORT, DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR BARBERTON CITY SCHOOLS
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF ST AUGUSTINE CHURCH
$21,841EMERGENCY BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO
$20,000TROOPS IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, BARBERTON
LIMITLESS AMBITION INC
$20,000TEEN PROGRAMMING FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS
THE SALVATION ARMY SUMMIT COUNTY AREA SRVS
$17,711FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT, WRAP-AROUND SERVICES, AND BASIC NEEDS FOR BARBERTON
CAMP INVENTION ATTENDANCE ASSISTANCE IN BARBERTON SCHOOLS
PORTAGE PATH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
$15,000MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR BARBERTON RESIDENTS
VETERINARY SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME BARBERTON RESIDENTS
EMBRACING FUTURES INC
$12,000ORTHODONTIC CARE PROGRAM
BARBERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
$7,000CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING
GREENLEAF FAMILY CENTER
$7,000ADOLESCENT SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM
BARBERTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$195,715DOWNTOWN REHABILITATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE GREATER AKRON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$125,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF BARBERTON
$104,697ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PARKS AND RECREATION
MAIN STREET BARBERTON INC
$85,000OPERATING SUPPORT, DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
SUMMA HEALTH
$22,500CARDIAC MONITORS FOR BARBERTON CITIZENS
LIMITLESS AMBITION INC
$20,000TEEN PROGRAMMING FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS
BARBERTON DIAMOND SPORTS
$17,500BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PROGRAMMING FOR BARBERTON CHILDREN
BARBERTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$17,109ATHLETICS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, TUTORING, MUSIC, ATTENDANCE
KAVE COFFEE BAR LLC
$15,088OUTDOOR MURAL FOR DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR BARBERTON CITY SCHOOLS
CAMP INVENTION ATTENDANCE ASSISTANCE IN BARBERTON SCHOOLS
EMBRACING FUTURES INC
$12,000ORTHODONTIC CARE PROGRAM FOR SEVERE NEEDS OF BARBERTON CITIZENS
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF ST AUGUSTINE CHURCH
$11,000EMERGENCY BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT
CARESTAR COMMUNITY SERVICES
$10,000COMMUNITY BASED WRAPAROUND SERVICES
2-1-1 INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES, FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FOR BARBERTON CITIZENS
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$10,000EXPLORING PROGRAM FOR BARBERTON STUDENTS
FINANCIAL LITERACY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WORK READINESS
AKRON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$6,000CONCERTS FOR BARBERTON CHILDREN
BARBERTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$369,110DOWNTOWN REHABILITATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BARBERTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$126,234ATHLETICS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, READING, TUTORING
MAIN STREET BARBERTON INC
$50,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Current and upcoming funding from Barberton Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit partners submitting proposals for programs aligned with the annual cycle themes and the foundation’s priorities.
Deadline: LOI due April 24; application deadline May 15 for the 2025 Cycle 2 described on the site.
Who can apply: Varies by individual fund — each fund has its own focus and requirements. Contact Director of Community Impact for fund-specific eligibility.
Deadline: No deadline to apply for many fund grants; timelines and requirements vary by fund.
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