Akron Community Foundation

If your tax bill for 2024 was higher than you expected, consider taking advantage of these tax-savvy charitable giving options when planning for 2025. As covered in this recent InvestmentNews article, donors may be able to reduce next year's taxes by donating appreciated securities, making qualified charitable distributions from an IRA, or bunching gifts in a donor-advised fund. Learn more about these giving strategies at https://lnkd.in/gQ-fNMEX.

The Institute for Emerging Philanthropists is an exclusive, biennial educational program designed to teach donors and financial advisors about strategic philanthropy. To hear firsthand about the benefits for advisors,?watch this video?featuring recent graduates Marie Brilmyer of Cohen & Co. and Benjamin Tegel of Auxin Group Wealth Management.?Applications?for the 2025-2026 class are due April 15. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gSXu8i4B.

As nonprofits face growing challenges, having a strong board of directors is especially vital.?Akron Community Foundation?and?Business Volunteers Unlimited?are hosting a free training session called “The Role of the Board,” on Thursday, April 10, at 8:30 a.m., at Akron-Summit County Public Library’s auditorium. The program will help participants excel in their responsibilities and sharpen their leadership skills, along with providing insights from an expert panel of board and staff leaders. The session also will cover best practices for building a better board through thoughtful recruitment efforts. This program is presented in partnership with BVU, the Akron-Summit County Public Library, and Akron Community Foundation. The session is free to attend, but reservations are required. To register, please visit?https://lnkd.in/gvC_bdAs.

Akron Children's is seeking input from parents and caregivers as part of its Community Health Needs Assessment of children and youth across 11 counties, including Summit and surrounding counties. The survey closes April 30. To participate, follow the QR code in the graphic or visit https://lnkd.in/gr59nZFR.

Congratulations to our Women's Endowment Fund for hosting another successful "For Women, Forever" celebration last week. It was an inspiring evening featuring stories of how the fund is empowering women and girls throughout Summit County. Special congratulations to our board member Katie Smucker, who was honored with the 2025 Judith A. Read Tribute Award.

Congratulations to Red Oak Behavioral Health on their recent open house and ribbon cutting. We're a proud partner and supporter of the nonprofit through programs like school-based mental health services. We appreciate the incredible work and positive impact Red Oak brings to the health of our community each day!

Congratulations to Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, which received a proactive grant from Akron Community Foundation for its Path to Prevention program, a culturally responsive sexual abuse prevention program designed to help ensure Erin's Law is effectively implemented in Summit County, reaching the most vulnerable youth. Ohio is one of 38 states to adopt Erin’s Law, which requires abuse prevention education is available in all public schools. Hope and Healing’s Path to Prevention program goes beyond the legal requirements, however, as the program partners with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and community organizations to provide interactive education, professional training, and community engagement, equipping children, families and educators with tools to prevent, recognize and respond to abuse. By focusing on high-risk youth and strengthening trusted community connections, Path to Prevention enhances public safety, empowers children, and builds a more informed and supportive community. The systems change grant for $50,000 is the first of a planned three-year grant. To see a full list of proactive grantees, visit?https://lnkd.in/gqrvYJej.

Today is the anniversary of the Hale Farm & Village Endowment Fund, which helps the Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland) maintain and preserve Hale Farm & Village, a piece of living history that offers a glimpse of life in the 1800s, with 34 historic buildings, 140 acres, and re-enactors and educators. To make a gift to the fund, visit https://lnkd.in/gabWeAm9.

Check out our latest video to learn about the $5 million in quarterly grants awarded by Akron Community Foundation and our fundholders. The video features interviews with nonprofit leaders Angela Moses of Early Childhood Resource Center, Harry Kamdar of Asian Services in Action (ASIA), Teresa Stafford (she/her/hers) of Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, and Steven McGarrity of Community Legal Aid. You'll also hear a special retirement message from our president and CEO, John Petures. Watch it now at https://lnkd.in/gXwVVFdm.

During her lifetime, Susan B. Kosich inspired countless people through her dedication to her family and career. In addition to being a successful salesperson at Oliver Printing & Packaging Co., Susan was a devoted mom, tennis player, and advocate for women's causes, social justice initiatives, and animals. Susan was also a longtime member and supporter of AAF-Akron, and after her passing, the organization started a scholarship fund at Akron Community Foundation in Susan's name. The Susan B. Kosich Endowed Scholarship for Marketing Communications will carry on Susan's legacy by awarding college scholarships to Northeast Ohio students pursuing a career in a communications-related field. Learn more about Susan's impact on the community in this video: https://lnkd.in/gMnyih6e.