Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities is a private, nonprofit organization based in Uniontown, Ohio, dedicated to providing long-term care programs and services to older adults and individuals with disabilities. Established in 1974 and designated under the Older Americans Act, the organization has served as a leader in long-term care for over 40 years, operating across Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne Counties in Ohio. The agency employs approximately 266 staff members and serves approximately 2,422 unduplicated members annually.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$27.5M
+53.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.6M
+39.6% YoY
Grant Count
35
+59.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$103K
-12.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to enable older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to achieve the highest quality of life by providing long-term care choices and consumer protection. The agency ensures that individuals can remain independent and in their home of choice.
Primary Program Areas:
Passport Program: A community-based Medicaid waiver program for Medicaid-eligible older adults aged 60 and older. Services include intake, in-home assessments, care management, personal care, homemaker services, adult day services, emergency response units, home-delivered meals, transportation, home modifications, and specialty consultations for nutrition and social work counseling.
Assisted Living Program: A community-based long-term care option for Medicaid-eligible older adults that bridges the gap between in-home services and permanent nursing facility placement. Residents have access to 24-hour assistance and one-time community transition services for those transitioning from nursing facilities.
Both programs have level of care and financial eligibility requirements.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$5,000–$920,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's service and funding focus is primarily in Ohio, with specific emphasis on Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne Counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency (2023):
- Total assets: $17,910,222
- Total revenues: $63,181,207
- Total expenses: $63,450,121
- Total liabilities: $13,800,000
- Giving rate: 14.4% of assets
Direction Home Akron Canton Foundation (2024):
- Total assets: $29,687,330
- Total giving: $400,978
Tax-Exempt Status: Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since July 1981 (EIN: 34-1314654)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $27,480,606 | $17,910,222 | $15,586,581 |
| Revenue | $80,021,370 | $63,181,207 | $61,451,318 |
| Expenses | $78,804,169 | $63,450,121 | $61,539,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $322,412 | $122,724 | $7,087 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID B REYNOLDS MD | CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| CHARLES L GREENE | VICE CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| JAMES MASI | VICE CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| FRAN D RICE | VICE CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| JULIA T DIFRANCESCO | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| JACK T DIAMOND | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| PAMELA S BANCHY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| STEPHEN COLECCHI | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JENNIFER DROST DO | CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER | 0.5 | — |
| IRIS E HARVEY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TOM KEATHLEY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DEBORAH RUTHERFORD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| HARVEY L STERNS PHD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| KAREN L TALBOTT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LORRIE A WARREN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MATTHEW S WAYNE MD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CHARLES R VIGNOS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LEE S WALKO | FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| JULIE M AULTMAN PHD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| HORACE HIGHLAND SR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| GARY L COOK RETIRED 52224 | PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXEC OFFICER | 40 | $491,501 |
| ABIGAIL M MORGAN | PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXEC OFFICER | 40 | $284,620 |
| REBECCA NEWMAN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $267,187 |
| LJUDMILA BURCHFIELD | CHIEF OPERATING & LEGAL OFFICER | 40 | $212,276 |
| PATRICK T CLEVIDENCE | MANAGER OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS | 40 | $147,974 |
| SAMUEL J MCCOY | SENIOR VP ELDER RIGHTS | 40 | $213,633 |
| MATTHEW L REED | SENIOR VP COMMUNICATIONS & | 40 | $206,844 |
| CHRIS FAGERSTROM | SENIOR VP OF HOME & COMMUN | 40 | $204,495 |
| TRACEY M NAUER | VP OF HOME & COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES | 40 | $145,173 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The organization has received multiple grants to support its programs and expansion:
Received funding from the Ohio Department of Aging to increase access to health services
Ohio Department of Aging Announces $440k in Grants to Increase ...Stark County provided $4 million in grant funding to support the Aging in Place Program
Ohio Department of Aging Announces $440k in Grants to Increase ...Stark County allocated more than $1 million in grants to aid seniors through various assistance programs
County provides $4 million grant to support Aging in Place ProgramReceived funding to develop, expand, and enhance ability to operate as Community Care Hubs
DHAD Receives Funding to Develop, Expand and Enhance Ability to Operate asThe Foundation updated its vision and mission in 2025 to better promote wellbeing and growth in the community, reflecting a forward-looking approach to aging services and innovation.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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