The Akron Community Foundation announced its quarterly grants and distributions totaling $4,256,708. 

This quarter, the foundation also approved $755,000 in grants for Akron programs that address mental health, substance use disorders and housing. One grant, given to Love Akron, will be used to mentor high school students through the Locker Room Experience.

ACF also approved $50,000 in grants for nonprofits in Bath Township, including $3,500 for the Summit County Astronomy Club to optimize the public viewing of the total eclipse in 2024. The Millennium Fund for Children distributed $61,000 to children’s programs in Akron, and the Humane Society of Summit County will use its $25,000 grant to pair pets with aging adults to boost their mental health. 

Additionally, the Akron Police Department will receive $30,000 to support a health and wellness program for officers. 

The ACF distributes grants through more than 800 charitable funds, the first of which was established in 1955.The foundation establishes funds with as little as $5,000 and allows donors to give to multiple causes they are interested in through one fund. Its most recently established affiliate fund is the Black Giving Collective Fund, which was created to benefit the Black community in and around Akron.

Editor’s note: The Akron Community Foundation is a supporter of Signal Akron.

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.