Release Date: May 25,2021
GAR Foundation Awards More Than $1.6 Million to Akron-Area Nonprofits
Akron, Ohio (May 25, 2021) — GAR Foundation is thrilled to announce it has awarded $1,670,710 in grants to Akron organizations at its May grant distribution meeting. This round of funding included proactive grants to support summer learning at the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs for Akron Public Schools’ students.
“We are pleased to announce this support and provide funding for our nonprofit community and innovative partnerships, like the summer partnership strategy between the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and Akron Public Schools. Together, they will ensure that APS students have an enriching, engaging, fun summer, which they certainly deserve after the challenges COVID has brought,” said Christine Mayer, president of GAR Foundation.
Additionally, the Early Childhood Resource Center (ECRC) received a grant of $204,910 to provide SPARK: Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids. SPARK is an evidence-based home visiting program that supports parents in helping their children to be ready for kindergarten, learning basic literacy skills for success in school. The ECRC is the region’s state-designated Child Care Resource & Referral agency and is GAR’s primary partner for delivering STARS: Supporting Teachers & Ready Students, the foundation’s successful four-year early childhood professional development initiative. The ECRC is opening an additional office in Akron next month.
In other critical strategic focus areas, local arts convener ArtsNow received a $125,000 grant for its work to advance and advocate for the arts and culture sector in Summit County. Asian Services in Action was awarded $50,000 for operations in supporting the basic needs of Akron’s immigrant population, and Community Legal Aid received $35,000 for its strategic efforts to offer affordable legal services to low-income Akron residents.
Other organizations receiving support this quarter include:
Akron Area YMCA, Summer programming with APS - $58,300
Akron Art Museum, Operating support - $125,000
Akron Urban League, Operating support - $25,000
ArtsNow, Operating support - $125,000
Asian Services in Action (ASIA), Operating support - $50,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio-Akron, $85,000 for operations and $5,000 for summer programming with APS
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, Operating support - $7,500
Community Legal Aid, Operating support - $35,000
ConxusNEO, Operating support - $125,000
Early Childhood Resource Center, for SPARK - $204,910
Emmanuel Christian Academy, STEAM Academy Summer Enrichment - $50,000
Family & Community Services, Operating support for Mobile Meals - $60,000
Groundwork Ohio, Operating support - $25,000
GroundWorks DanceTheater, Operating support - $30,000
Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, Program support for Akron Public School - $50,000
Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, Operating support - $20,000
Leadership Akron, Operating support - $20,000
Musical Arts Association, Blossom Music Festival - $50,000
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Foundation, Bench to Bedside program - $20,000
Project Learn of Summit County, Operating support - $60,000
Shelter Care, Operating support for Safe Landing shelter - $30,000
South Street Ministries, Operating support - $35,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Operating support - $30,000
Stark State College Foundation, Healthcare upskilling - $50,000
Students with a Goal (SWAG) Operating support - $30,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, Operating support for Hale Farm & Village - $35,000
For more information contact Rob Lehr, communications@garfdn.org.