Akron Community Foundation

Today is the anniversary of the Black Giving Collective Fund, established last year by members of the Black community to benefit the Black community in and around Greater Akron. In 2022, a committee of Akron Community Foundation board members and affiliate fund board members, including Tracy L. Carter, S. Theresa Carter, Dr. Carla L. Chapman, Bennett Gaines, Kendra Philon, and Dr. Rachel-Yvonne Talton, began meeting to determine next steps for the initiative, which resulted in conducting listening sessions with nearly 150 Black community members to learn what philanthropy means to them. The Black Giving Collective also will be instrumental in bringing the exhibit The Soul of Philanthropy to Akron in fall 2025. The exhibit celebrates the history and legacy of giving within the Black community and has traveled to other locations around the country, including Cleveland, Chicago and, most recently, Detroit. For information and to contribute to the Black Giving Collective Fund, please visit https://lnkd.in/giqEc6He.

The Akron Art Museum will host its third annual Senior Day on Tuesday, Oct. 1, bringing providers from health care, local government and service agencies together under one roof. Attendees can learn about available services while enjoying the museum’s world-class exhibits. Akron Community Foundation is proud to be a presenting sponsor for the event, especially as improving the lives of older adults is a funding priority for the community foundation. To RSVP, visit https://lnkd.in/g9GXSBz9.

Don't miss your chance to get discounted tickets to this year's Sugar Plum Tour of Holiday Homes, an Akron tradition that benefits our Gay Community Endowment Fund. Save $5 on tickets for the live or virtual tours, or $10 on ticket packages for both tours. Sugar Plum tickets also make a great gift for family and friends! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gWD3Rvi9.

Are there tax-savvy strategies for charitable giving you may be overlooking? "Donating to charity is a great way to support a cause that matters to you. Your contribution can make real change, providing resources and opportunities to those in need. However, this act of kindness goes beyond simply giving back. With proper planning and guidance, charitable contributions can enhance your financial plan, providing tax cuts while generating income." Learn more in this article from Kiplinger: https://lnkd.in/gaqaTD-y

Happy Pride, Akron! While you're celebrating at today's festival, don’t forget to stop by the Gay Community Endowment Fund's table, located near the stage on Bowery Street, to learn about the fund’s updated mission and vision, spin the wheel for a chance to win fun prizes, and enter for the chance to win a rainbow Christmas tree. Akron Community Foundation and our Gay Community Endowment Fund are both proud sponsors of the Akron Pride Festival. For a full schedule of events, check out this year's Pride Guide: https://lnkd.in/gB3zjxZw

For 100 years, Akron Rotary Camp has provided camping programs for children with mental, physical and developmental disabilities. Through these programs, campers develop social skills and independence, challenge their perceived limits, and create memories and friendships that last a lifetime. On Saturday, Sept. 28, Akron Rotary Camp will celebrate its 100th anniversary at the Akron Rotary Camp Regatta. Guests will enjoy cocktails, entertainment, food and fireworks in the beautiful Portage Lakes. Our own president and CEO, John Petures, will serve as honorary chair of the event alongside event chair Rennick Andreoli. Proceeds from the regatta support the Akron Rotary Camp Endowment Fund, which was established at Akron Community Foundation to meet the needs of campers into the next century and beyond. Come join us as we continue this voyage of making a difference in the lives of children and their families. Tickets and sponsorships are available at https://lnkd.in/grfmcU2k. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, which recently announced that its Resident Services’ Early Childhood Initiative team is prominently featured in the Public Housing Authority Pathways to Advancing Equity case study. This report is a comprehensive study that highlights successful initiatives and best practices from housing authorities across the country. Akron Community Foundation is a proud supporter of the Early Childhood Initiative and joins with AMHA in celebrating this achievement. Learn more and read the full report at https://lnkd.in/g5wahVGM

Akron Community Foundation is proud to be recognized as one of Crain's Cleveland Business' Best Employers in Ohio for 2024. This award is based on an evaluation of our workplace policies, practices and demographics, as well as a comprehensive survey of our employees. We're proud of the inclusive, flexible and collaborative culture we've built here at ACF, and we're especially grateful to our talented staff team for making Akron Community Foundation one of the best places to work in the state of Ohio. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gWgmmfgZ.

We enjoyed seeing so many of you at the Duck Club at Canal Park for this morning's Leadership on Main event, which featured a fantastic discussion with Sylvia Trundle, retired captain of the Akron Police Department and immediate past chair of Akron Community Foundation's board of directors. The conversation was moderated by Marty Hauser, retired CEO of SummaCare and ACF's current board chair. Thank you to Leadership Akron for hosting an energizing discussion with two of our community's most respected leaders!

All community members are invited to join the Akron Roundtable on Thursday, Aug. 29, for a discussion on the culture of giving within the Black community. The event will feature a panel of experts including Dr. Carla L. Chapman, a founding member of Akron Community Foundation's Black Giving Collective Fund, and will be moderated by our own president and CEO, John Petures. This Bringing it Home conversation follows author Valaida Fullwood's talk on Aug. 15 about her book, "Giving Back," which profiles stories of philanthropy among African Americans. Local panelists will address the new Black Giving Collective, volunteerism, young professional groups and the role the church plays in philanthropy. Learn more and register at https://lnkd.in/gTBwHbwe.