Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities is a public charity based in Uniontown, Ohio. It provides long-term care choices and consumer protection for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, with programs that support people in remaining in their communities.
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging at a glance
In short: Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging gave $3.4M across 33 grants in 2025 (avg $104K), mostly in Ohio. 44% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,436,433
- -4.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 33
- -5.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $104,134
- +1.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $32,268
- Total assets
- $32,258,306
- +17.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 44% first-time grantees (14 of 32, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging
- How to Apply
-
Direction Home’s 2026 RFP invited proposals for specified Older Americans Act services and care coordination. The submission period has closed. The organization’s website also lists the student scholarship as currently open.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 RFP deadline was March 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Deadline
- The 2026 RFP deadline was March 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1949 Town Park Blvd, Uniontown, OH 44685
Phone: (800) 421-7277
Website: https://dhad.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging
Who Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Vantage Aging ($906K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
167 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 114 grants of 167 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2026 RFP and the student scholarship specify Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne Counties in Ohio. In 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio and 4% to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging open to new grantees?
44%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 32 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $97K; repeat grants $116K. How we count
Medians: $32K first-time, $51K repeat.
- 41% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.6M (2023) to $3.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 33 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vantage Aging Akron, OH | Congregate Meals, Counseling, SOCIALIZATION,RSVP, Farmer's Market | $905,947 |
| Axesspointe Community Ravenna, OH | Congreagte meals, home delivered meals, sr companion, foster grandparents, rsvp, farmer's market | $584,580 |
| Alzheimer's Association Canton, OH | Respite | $225,667 |
| Thomas Lane Inc Twinsburg, OH | Congregate Meals | $200,258 |
| Family & Community Services Inc Ravenna, OH | Congregate meals, home delivered meals, sr companion, foster grandparents, rsvp, farmer's market | $170,950 |
| Casleo Corporation Columbus, OH | Ers, Chore, Meals | $150,084 |
| Purfoods LLC Ankeny, IA | MEALS | $130,214 |
| Simply Ez Home Delivered Meals of Northeastern Ohio LLC Akron, OH | Home Delivered Meals | $116,565 |
| The Salvation Army-Canton Canton, OH | Congregate Meals | $105,419 |
| JG Bahas Inc Akron, OH | SR DINE | $104,670 |
Ready to take the next step with Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,258,306 | $100,365,745 | $97,589,362 | $3,436,433 | 33 | $582,454 |
| 2024 | $27,480,606 | $80,021,370 | $78,804,169 | $3,610,111 | 35 | $322,412 |
| 2023 | $17,910,222 | $63,181,207 | $63,450,121 | $2,586,175 | 22 | $122,724 |
| 2022 | $15,586,581 | $61,451,318 | $61,539,697 | $3,485,823 | 32 | $7,087 |
| 2021 | $20,335,083 | $58,977,565 | $57,972,559 | $3,390,640 | 45 | $27,366 |
| 2020 | $19,174,109 | $57,649,204 | $57,342,192 | $2,764,991 | 21 | $72,903 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Direction Home’s mission is to provide older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers with long-term care choices and consumer protection so they can achieve the highest quality of life.
Its services include in-home assessments, care management, personal care, homemaker services, adult day services, emergency response systems, home-delivered meals, transportation, home modifications, and caregiver supports. The organization also operates an Ombudsman program that provides information, education, advocacy, and complaint investigation for consumers of long-term care services.
Its 2025 grants supported services including congregate and home-delivered meals, respite, senior companion services, farmer’s market programs, emergency response systems, and chore services. Among the organizations it funded, Vantage Aging describes its mission as promoting a positive perspective on aging and helping older adults live healthy lives with independence, purpose, and dignity. Family & Community Services says it seeks to strengthen and empower individuals and families through community-based services.
Grantmaking
In 2025, Direction Home reported 33 grants totaling $3,436,433. Grant amounts ranged from $5,070 to $905,947, with a median of $32,268.
The largest reported grants included $905,947 to Vantage Aging for congregate meals, counseling, socialization, RSVP, and farmer’s market services; $584,580 to AxessPointe Community for meal and other services; and $225,667 to the Alzheimer’s Association for respite. Other large awards included $200,258 to Thomas Lane Inc. for congregate meals and $170,950 to Family & Community Services for meal and other services.
Direction Home also offers the Joseph L. Ruby Student Scholarship for students pursuing education related to aging services and support for older adults and people with disabilities in Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne Counties. The scholarship is awarded annually.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David B. Reynolds, MD, as chairman; Charles L. Greene and James Masi as vice chairmen; Julia T. DiFrancesco as treasurer; and Jack T. Diamond as secretary. Directors listed include Fran D. Rice, Pamela S. Banchy, Stephen Colecchi, Jennifer Drost, DO, and Iris E. Harvey. Jennifer Drost is also listed as chief medical officer.
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging is led by Abigail M. Morgan, President & Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Abigail M. Morgan
President & Chief Executive Officer
Senior Vice President Business Strateg → Chief Operating Officer, 2021
Chief Operating Officer → President & Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$191K (2020) → $348K (2025)
Gary L. Cook
Former President & CEO
President & Chief Executive → President & Chief Executive Officer, 2021
President & Chief Executive Officer → Former President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$423K (2020) → $218K (2025)
David B. Reynolds MD
Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee S. Walko
Foundation Board Chair
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fran D. Rice
Director
Vice Chairman → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harvey L. Sterns PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Iris E. Harvey
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen L. Talbott
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lorrie A. Warren
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pamela S. Banchy
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Colecchi
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Keathley
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Horace Highland Sr.
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie M. Aultman PhD
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles R. Vignos
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeannie Flossie
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jodi Edmunds
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ljudmila Burchfield
Chief Operating & Legal Officer
Vice President Compliance & Legal Affa → Chief Operating & Legal Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$194K (2020) → $275K (2025)
Matthew L. Reed
Senior Vice President Communications
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$187K (2020) → $224K (2025)
Rebecca Newman
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$209K (2021) → $295K (2025)
Samuel J. McCoy
Senior Vice President Elder Rights
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$190K (2020) → $234K (2025)
Chris Fagerstrom
Senior Vice President of Home & Communications
Senior Vice President of Home & Community Based Services → Senior Vice President of Home & Communications, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$170K (2021) → $229K (2025)
Tracey M. Nauer
Vice President of Home & Community Bas
Vice President of Home & Community Based Services → Vice President of Home & Community Bas, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$145K (2024) → $180K (2025)
Brandi L. Chrzanowski
Vice President of Strategic Planning & Performance Improvement
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$159K (2025)
Charles L. Greene
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Rutherford
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack T. Diamond
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Masi
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Drost DO
Chief Medical Officer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia T. Difrancesco
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Matthew S. Wayne MD (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Patrick T. Clevidence (2022–2024) — Manager of Business Relationships
- Former: Jon D. Oliverio Dpm (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Michael Novelli (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Nancy A. Istenes DO (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Keeven White (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Susan B. Sigmon (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President of Home & Community Based Services
- Former: Barbara R. Palmisano (2020) — Director
- Former: Charles R. Alderson (2020) — Chief Operating Officer & Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $348K, to Abigail M Morgan (President & Chief Executive Officer). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging
How much does Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging give each year?
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging gave $3.4M across 33 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 35 grants.
What is Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's typical grant size?
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's median grant in 2025 was $32,268, and its average grant was $104,134, across 33 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging that year got $97K on average.
Where does Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging give grants?
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging gives mostly in Ohio: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Akron, OH (11 grants), Ravenna, OH (3 grants), Canton, OH (3 grants) and Uniontown, OH (3 grants).
Does Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sr Dine" (9 grants), "Congregate Meals" (6 grants) and "Transportation" (4 grants).
Who are Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's largest grantees?
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's largest 2025 grantees include Vantage Aging ($905,947), Axesspointe Community ($584,580) and Alzheimer's Association ($225,667), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging?
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging reported $32.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $100.4M.
What does Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging fund?
Direction Home’s mission is to provide older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers with long-term care choices and consumer protection so they can achieve the highest quality of life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging?
Direction Home’s 2026 RFP invited proposals for specified Older Americans Act services and care coordination. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's EIN?
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1314654. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 17, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/direction-home-akron-canton-area-agency-on-aging-morg_3d30605b59e745a8b2db8b9b6b932552
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_341314654_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/direction-home-akron-canton-area-agency-on-aging-morg_3d30605b59e745a8b2db8b9b6b932552},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging down — hundreds of funders to go?