Akron Community Foundation
Akron Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation based in Akron, Ohio. Founded in 1955, the organization has been operating for more than 70 years and serves as a vehicle for charitable giving in the region. The foundation is composed of more than 930 charitable funds established by individual donors, families, companies, and nonprofits, distinguishing it as a community-based foundation rather than a private foundation controlled by a select group.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$305.5M
+2.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.7M
-12.2% YoY
Grant Count
335
-4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
-7.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To identify, activate and support informed and passionate philanthropists who strive to improve the quality of life in our community.
The foundation accomplishes this by:
- Building a permanent source of charitable funding
- Cultivating strategic relationships with diverse charitable individuals, professional advisors and community organizations
- Inspiring new donors by capturing and sharing compelling examples of the positive impact of philanthropy in our community
- Educating and connecting donors to nonprofit organizations whose needs match the donor's interests
Primary Funding Areas: The foundation focuses on four defined grant-making priorities:
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Health & Human Services
- Civic Affairs
Grantmaking
The foundation offers multiple ways to give, including:
Ready to take the next step with Akron Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves Summit County and the surrounding region, including Medina County through affiliated community foundations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2025:
- Total Assets: $305,457,507
- Total Revenues: $20,297,406
- Total Expenses: $20,048,920
- Number of Employees: 21
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $297,000,000
- Total Liabilities: $37,300,000
- Revenue: $33,800,000
- Expenses: $21,900,000
The foundation maintains audited financial statements and Form 990s available for public review. The organization's Finance and Investment Committee and staff manage investments through independent investment managers with proven track records to maximize the impact of charitable dollars.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $305,457,507 | $297,142,559 | $259,622,677 |
| Revenue | $20,297,406 | $33,807,174 | $11,908,040 |
| Expenses | $20,048,920 | $21,947,289 | $18,169,831 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,427,022 | $10,257,815 | $3,056,260 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
17 open opportunities from Akron Community Foundation
Affiliate Fund: Millennium Fund for Children Grants
AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $2,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bath Community Fund Grant
AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Capital Grants
AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Access Inc ($400,229), Akron Art Museum ($316,655), Akron-canton Regional Foodbank ($243,010).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A KID AGAIN TWINSBURG, OH | TO SUPPORT 2024-2025 ADVENTURES FOR SUMMIT COUNTY FAMILIES | $7,500 |
| ACCESS INC AKRON, OH | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $400,229 |
| AKRON 200 INC AKRON, OH | TO SUPPORT AKRON'S BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS | $126,000 |
| AKRON AIDS COLLABORATIVE AKRON, OH | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $22,000 |
| AKRON ART MUSEUM AKRON, OH | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $316,655 |
| AKRON BLIND CENTER & WORKSHOP INC AKRON, OH | TO SUPPORT CRITICAL AND UNIQUE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS OTHERWISE NOT PROVIDED TO ALL LEVELS OF VISUAL CHALLENGES THROUGH GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION AKRON, OH | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $12,185 |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AKRON, OH | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $43,950 |
| AKRON COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER & URBAN LEAGUE AKRON, OH | FOR GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $53,075 |
| AKRON COOPERATIVE FARMS AKRON, OH | TO SUPPORT URBAN GARDENING, NATIVE FARMING AND SUSTAINABLE GROWING PRACTICES, DEVELOP SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW AMERICANS AND BUILD COMMUNITY IN NORTH HILL AND GREATER AKRON | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- John F. Garofalo - President and CEO
- Steve Schloenbach - Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- Brian Reitz - Vice President, Community Investment (joined January 2026)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTY HAUSER | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| J BRET TREIER | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| S THERESA CARTER | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| SYLVIA TRUNDLE | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 2 | — |
| CARLA CHAPMAN | COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CO-CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MARK BACHMANN | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| TRACY DOWE | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| TRACY CARTER | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| LAURA CULP | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| JODY KONSTAND | GOVERNANCE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JAMES PICKARD | VICE CHAIR/AUDIT CHAIR | 2 | — |
| BILL STEERE | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| KIM HAWS FALASCO | COMMUNITY RELATIONS CHAIR | 2 | — |
| DOUG KUCZYNSKI | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| SHEFALI MAHESH | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| ANGELINA MILO | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| BRIAN MOORE | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| ERNEST POUTTU | TREASURER/FINANCE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| STEVE SCHMIDT | COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CO-CHAIR | 2 | — |
| KATIE SMUCKER | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| KEEVEN WHITE | STRATEGIC PLANNING CHAIR | 2 | — |
| TIM ABLE | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| DENNIS BUTTS JR | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| KENDRA PHILON | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| JOHN T PETURES JR | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $313,841 |
| STEVEN H SCHLOENBACH | VICE PRESIDENT, CFO | 40 | $183,123 |
| JOHN GAROFALO | VP OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | 40 | $157,634 |
| LAURA LEDERER | VP & CDO | 40 | $121,226 |
| DENNIS JANSKY | DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING & ADMIN. | 40 | $114,215 |
| TRACY BURT | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | 40 | $112,893 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In March 2026, Akron Community Foundation distributed $4.4 million in quarterly grants to the community. Recent major grant recipients included:
Akron Community Foundation awards $4.4 million in quarterly ...Medina County Community Foundation: $1,099,309 for General Program Support
United Way of Summit and Medina: $631,898 for General Program Support
Summit Education Initiative: For General Operating Support
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Akron Community Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To identify, activate and support informed and passionate philanthropists who strive to improve the quality of life in our community. The foundation accomplishes this by: • Building a permanent source of charitable funding • Cultivating strategic relationships with diverse charitable individuals, professional advisors and community organizations • Inspiring new donors by capturing and sharing compelling examples of the positive impact of philanthropy in our community • Educating an…
How do I apply for a grant from Akron Community Foundation?
The foundation offers multiple ways to give, including: • Donor-advised funds • Designated funds • Agency endowment funds • Affiliate funds • Private family foundations • Unrestricted and advised funds **Recent Grant Activity (Fiscal Year 2025):** • Total grant making back to the community through unrestricted and advised funds: $16,701,202 via 1,692 grants and other distributions • Endowment fund distributions: $4,793,115 via 395 grants and other distributions • Scholarships awarded: 230 schol…
Where does Akron Community Foundation make grants?
The foundation serves Summit County and the surrounding region, including Medina County through affiliated community foundations.
What size grants does Akron Community Foundation award?
In 2025, Akron Community Foundation awarded 335 grants totaling $14.7M — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Akron Community Foundation's EIN?
Akron Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1087615. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Akron Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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