GAR Foundation

?? Nonprofits and creatives with a fiscal sponsor, have you submitted your idea for ArtsForward yet? There are only 3?? weeks left to apply! We’re eager to hear your bold, innovative project ideas that help bring the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan to life. Have questions? Watch the recap of our info session here: https://bit.ly/3R8lNWt

Family Resource Centers (FRCs), powered by United Way of Summit & Medina, are welcoming community hubs located in five Akron Public Schools buildings that connect families to vital services, including food assistance, housing support, financial education, and more. By linking students and their families to needed resources, FRCs are helping to foster stability and well-being by addressing non-academic barriers to student success. In 2024, GAR Foundation proudly became an official sponsor of the North High School FRC. Learn more about this powerful intersection of education and basic needs in our 2024 Impact Report ?? https://lnkd.in/dnY5EPGu

The first Akron ArtWalk of 2025 is on March 13! Presented by Summit Artspace and partners Curated Storefront, Akron Bazaar, Akron Soul Train, The Nightlight Cinema, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Akron Art Museum, Northside District, and Art x Love, LLC, this month's ArtWalk celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Read more: https://bit.ly/3XdB4bQ ?? : Heather Meeker

On Tuesday, March 4, we celebrated the innovative, optimistic, and collaborative leadership legacy of David Shimotakahara as our 2025 Glass Half Full Award recipient! ?? David had some powerful and inspirational words to share with those in attendance, which resulted in a well-deserved standing ovation. We felt compelled to publicly share some of David's remarks with all of our nonprofit partners in the Greater Akron community as we navigate new challenges and contradictions in our work today. Enjoy! "As we turn the image of a 'glass half full' over in our minds, we can also think (and maybe are more inclined) to think of its opposite, the glass half that is empty. In thinking about opposites, how often do we find ourselves caught up in polarities, trying to decide choices that are either right or wrong, good or bad. Indeed, the zero-sum mentality of our current polarized culture wants us to believe there are only winners and losers." "How long has the nonprofit sector worked to dispel those limitations? The outcome is always the same – more for some, less for many others, all trying to compete in communities of increasing scarcity. I confess, in GroundWorks DanceTheater’s early years to prizing competition first until I eventually came to understand the necessity of connection and community in the meaning of success." "Clearly, the complexity of the issues we are facing and seek lasting solutions for require that we stop thinking in binary terms. The proverbial - is the glass either half empty OR half full? The glass is simultaneously holding both opposites." "How can we hold space in our thinking for opposing ideas? For contradiction? As an artist contradiction fuels the engine of creativity. In our organizations, the capacity to embrace more than one truth is essential to inspire and lead. These are things we must continue to value and hold onto." "One of the things I am most proud about GroundWorks is that for 25 years we lived with a lot of contradictions, and what seemed like opposing points of view: old and new approaches; the objectivity of discipline; the flexibility of compassion; large and small scale; virtual and live programming; and dealing with the realities of a small arts organization while continuing to dream big." "In closing, I want to affirm and salute my nonprofit colleagues out there for how they are navigating contradictions everyday: with intelligence, integrity, and courage. And in so doing, making their work more meaningful, building stronger, more resilient organizations and continuing to fill the glass of their future, our future, with possibility." -David Shimotakahara

Elevate Greater Akron is the “table” where economic development stakeholders unite to strengthen the region and create an inclusive economy in Greater Akron. Since GAR helped to found Elevate in 2018, we’ve prioritized collaborative action over isolated efforts. By supporting a shared vision, clear sightlines to each other’s work, data sharing, and collective accountability, Elevate embodies the intersection of economic development work and collaboration. Learn more about Elevate and their updated strategic framework centered on four shared priorities in our 2024 Impact Report ?? https://lnkd.in/gFWTHH_v Greater Akron Chamber Steve Millard

Peg’s Foundation was honored to join our friends at GAR Foundation in celebrating David Shimotakahara, the recipient of the 2025 Glass Half Full Award! ?? As founder of GroundWorks DanceTheater, David redefined contemporary dance—pushing creative boundaries and enriching Northeast Ohio’s arts community. Congratulations, David, on this well-deserved recognition! ?? #ThinkBigger #GlassHalfFullAward #DavidShimotakahara #GroundWorksDanceTheater

We are excited to announce David Shimotakahara as our 2025 Glass Half Full Award recipient! ?? As the visionary founder of GroundWorks DanceTheater for 25 years, David redefined contemporary dance—pushing boundaries, fostering collaboration, and creating a lasting impact on Northeast Ohio’s arts community. Under his leadership, GroundWorks commissioned 67 original works from world-renowned choreographers and built a repertoire that speaks to individuality, connection, and place. Even as GroundWorks took its final bow in 2024, David’s artistic legacy continues to inspire. His dedication to movement as a storytelling force has left an indelible mark on the dance world. Join us in celebrating and congratulating David’s incredible contributions! Learn more ?? https://lnkd.in/gbe7mfu2

Calling all Summit County residents! The Summit County Housing Research Collaborative is a recently formed, community-driven effort to understand the state of housing in Summit County, and we need YOUR help! Attend an in-person community listening session on March 12, March 26, April 16, April 30, and/or May 7 to share your insights and opinions about different housing topics. Sessions will run approximately 90 minutes, with multiple sessions each day. All are welcome to join. To learn more and register for one or more sessions, please visit https://lnkd.in/gnwRxK8c Summit County Land Bank Ilene Shapiro

“From parks and theaters to housing and health services, these projects strengthen the physical spaces that bring people together and improve quality of life in Greater Akron.” — Christine Mayer, president, GAR Foundation It is incredibly encouraging to see the ethos of Reimagining the Civic Commons reflected in the language of local philanthropy, and an additional $150,000 investment into Akron Civic Commons work at Summit Lake. https://lnkd.in/eVE23NTN Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition City of Akron, Ohio Knight Foundation Freedom Together Foundation The Kresge Foundation William Penn Foundation #philanthropy #civicinfrastructure #Akron

?? Exciting news—Applications for ArtsForward 2025 are officially OPEN! Have a creative project that aligns with the ten key priorities of the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan? ArtsForward is here to fuel your vision with the resources you need to bring it to life. Don’t miss your chance to make an impact—apply today through the grant web portal! https://lnkd.in/gMYg2bs8