Stark Community Foundation
Stark Community Foundation is a public charity based in Canton, Ohio. Founded in 1963, it partners with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to help them achieve their charitable goals, and makes grants to address local needs.
Key facts about Stark Community Foundation
In short: Stark Community Foundation gave $14.6M across 260 grants in 2024 (avg $56K), mostly in Ohio. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 34-0943665
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,634,762
- Grants made (2024)
- 260
- Average grant
- $56,288
- Median grant
- $17,553
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (60 of 259, 2024)
- Total assets
- $406,010,620
- Primary geography
- Ohio (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For the Community Responsive Grants Program, submit an online application through the Foundation’s Grant Portal and review the program’s eligibility requirements and application guidance. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Community Responsive Grants proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$406.0M
+9.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.6M
-23.3% YoY
Grant Count
260
+3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
-25.6% YoY
Is Stark Community Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 60 of 259 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $22K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to partner with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to help them achieve their charitable goals. Its 2024 filing describes grants supporting education, arts, culture, economic development, health and hunger. The Foundation says its endowment funds are used to promote the betterment of Stark County and enhance residents’ quality of life, with appropriations approved by its board.
The Foundation primarily makes grants to IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, educational institutions and government entities. It also considers requests from grassroots organizations without 501(c)(3) status when they have a fiscal sponsor and meet program restrictions. Individuals may not apply through the Community Responsive Grants Program.
Examples of supported organizations show a range of activities. Arts in Stark describes its mission as using the arts to advance community goals around economic development, tourism, well-being and education. United Way of Greater Stark County says it works to alleviate the impact of poverty and empower families. Northeast Ohio Medical University Foundation describes its work as strengthening the university’s financial capacity and broadening access to health-profession education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the IRS filing data lists 260 itemized grants totaling $14,634,762. The grants ranged from $5,001 to $1,076,993, with a median of $17,553. Separately, the Foundation’s 2024 filing narrative reports that it awarded over $16.5 million in grants that year.
The largest listed 2024 grants included $1,076,993 to Arts in Stark for arts, culture and humanities; $620,984 to Northeast Ohio Medical University Foundation for education; $586,282 to Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America for human services; and $508,381 to United Way of Greater Stark County for human services. Other large awards included $500,000 to Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company for public and societal benefit, $430,000 to John H and Evelyn L Ashton Preservation Association for arts, culture and humanities, and $410,500 to Lutheran World Relief for international and foreign affairs.
The Community Responsive Grants Program supports organizations responding to significant Stark County needs or opportunities. Requests typically range from $2,500 to $50,000. Applications are submitted online, proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and funded organizations must submit a final report covering grant impact and use of funds. The Foundation primarily considers organizations located in Stark County, but an organization based elsewhere may be eligible if its proposal benefits Stark County, its people or organizations.
Other opportunities listed include Protecting Stark’s Future, focused on reducing childhood poverty in Stark County, with a May 21, 2027 deadline; SummerTime Kids, supporting summer youth programs, with a January 15, 2027 deadline; and the Carroll County Foundation program, focused on Carroll County.
Review Cycle
Community Responsive Grants proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. The Foundation’s website states that its board will consider new proposals at its November 2026 meeting.
How to Apply
For the Community Responsive Grants Program, submit an online application through the Foundation’s Grant Portal and review the program’s eligibility requirements and application guidance.
Open Grants
20 open opportunities from Stark Community Foundation
Carroll Community Fund Grant
Stark Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Carroll CommunityFund Grant
Stark Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Responsive Grants Program
Stark Community Foundation
Amount
US $2,500 - US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Stark Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s Community Responsive Grants Program focuses on needs and opportunities in Stark County. Applicants need not be based there if their proposal benefits Stark County, its people or organizations. The Foundation also offers programs for Carroll County. In 2024, 92% of itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio; the listed shares also included Maryland at 4% and Washington, D.C. at 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 260 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.3M (2021) to $19.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 260 grants totaling $14.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Artsinstark ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $5.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,192 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 916 grants of 1,192 (77%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Artsinstark Canton, OH | Arts, Culture, Humanities | $1,076,993 |
| Neomed Foundation Rootstown, OH | Education | $620,984 |
| Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America Canton, OH | Human Services | $586,282 |
| United Way of Greater Stark County Canton, OH | Human Services | $508,381 |
| Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Canton, OH | Public, Societal Benefit | $500,000 |
| John H and Evelyn L Ashton Preservation Association Inc Carrollton, OH | Arts, Culture, Humanities | $430,000 |
| Lutheran World Relief Baltimore, MD | International, Foreign Affairs | $410,500 |
| Walsh University North Canton, OH | Education | $388,776 |
| Stark Economic Development Board Canton, OH | Public, Societal Benefit | $342,000 |
| Stark County Humane Society Canton, OH | Environment and Animals | $322,839 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Itemized grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $406,010,620 | $38,502,904 | $22,042,441 | $14,634,762 |
| 2023 | $372,413,705 | $40,791,835 | $27,565,304 | $19,068,660 |
| 2022 | $324,932,259 | $26,297,363 | $24,128,718 | $17,370,225 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $406,010,620 | $372,413,705 | $324,932,259 |
| Revenue | $38,502,904 | $40,791,835 | $26,297,363 |
| Expenses | $22,042,441 | $27,565,304 | $24,128,718 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,738,545 | $12,200,814 | $12,519,531 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William R. Cook as chair and Jeffrey W. Zellers as vice chair. Directors listed are Nancy A. Varian, Tonja J. Marshall, Karen Soehnlen McQueen, Andrea M. Perry, Todd E. Pugh, Gary D. Sirak, Brian S. Belden and Nancy S. Gessner.
Stark Community Foundation is led by Mark J. Samolczyk, President on every filing since 2020; 8 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mark J. Samolczyk
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$236K (2020) → $290K (2024)
William R. Cook
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Callie King
Director of Marketing & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024)
Brian S. Belden
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary D. Sirak
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory W. Luntz
Director
Chairman → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Soehnlen McQueen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy A. Varian
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy S. Gessner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea M. Perry
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd E. Pugh
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tonja J. Marshall
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy B. Krebs
V.p. of Grants & Community Initiatives
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$97K (2020) → $144K (2024)
Bridgette L. Neisel
V.p. of Advancement
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$143K (2020) → $170K (2024)
Carrie L. Bast
V.p. of Finance & CFO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$154K (2020) → $180K (2024)
Anastasia Bendetta
Corporate Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$20K (2024)
Nicole Hull-Stelzer
Controller
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024)
Susan Warne
Corporate Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$17K (2024)
Jeffrey W. Zellers
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: G. Charles Dix II (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $290K, to Mark J Samolczyk (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 400 Market Avenue North 200, Canton, OH 44702-1557
Phone: (330) 454-3426
Website: https://starkcf.org
Frequently asked questions about Stark Community Foundation
How much does Stark Community Foundation give each year?
Stark Community Foundation gave $14.6M across 260 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $19.1M across 252 grants.
What is Stark Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Stark Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,553, and its average grant was $56,288, across 260 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Stark Community Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does Stark Community Foundation give grants?
Stark Community Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Canton, OH (96 grants), Massillon, OH (15 grants), North Canton, OH (14 grants) and Carrollton, OH (9 grants).
Does Stark Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 260 grants with a stated purpose on Stark Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Human Services" (70 grants), "Education" (65 grants) and "Religion Related" (40 grants).
Who are Stark Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Stark Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Artsinstark ($1,076,993), Neomed Foundation ($620,984) and Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America ($586,282), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Stark Community Foundation?
Stark Community Foundation reported $406.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $38.5M.
What does Stark Community Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to partner with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to help them achieve their charitable goals. Its 2024 filing describes grants supporting education, arts, culture, economic development, health and hunger. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Stark Community Foundation?
For the Community Responsive Grants Program, submit an online application through the Foundation’s Grant Portal and review the program’s eligibility requirements and application guidance. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Stark Community Foundation's EIN?
Stark Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-0943665. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Stark Community Foundation by hand.
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Stark Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?