Stark Community Foundation
Stark Community Foundation is a community foundation based in Canton, Ohio, serving as a philanthropic partner for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits. Founded in 1963, the Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity and is ranked in the top 10 percent of community foundations in the country. The organization manages a diverse portfolio of charitable funds and administers a competitive grantmaking program to address local community needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · 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
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation describes itself as "Your Trusted Partner in Giving," helping donors achieve their charitable goals through a variety of flexible giving tools and strategic initiatives. Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Arts and Culture
- Economic Development
- Neighborhood Revitalization
- Human Services
- Health and Hunger
The Foundation's strategic approach emphasizes data-driven grantmaking that addresses community needs, with a particular focus on strengthening economic development to help individuals overcome issues of poverty.
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with Stark Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus on Stark County, Ohio. Organizations outside Stark County are eligible if they serve Stark County residents.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $372-450 million (varies by reporting year; 2023 reported $372.4 million)
Annual Revenue: $32.9-40.8 million (2023 reported $40.8 million in total revenues)
Annual Expenses: $27.6 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $106 million (2023)
Donor-Advised Funds: The Foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
Charitable Funds Under Management: Over 1,000 charitable funds
Financial Rating: Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 95% score, reflecting strong financial health and commitment to accountability.
| 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 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $19,738,545 | $12,200,814 | $12,519,531 |
| 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
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
20 open opportunities from Stark Community Foundation
Carroll Community Fund Grant
STARK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Carroll CommunityFund Grant
STARK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Responsive Grants Program
STARK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
US $2,500 - US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Artsinstark ($1,076,993), Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America ($586,282), Canton Palace Theatre Association ($228,804).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CANTON, OH | HUMAN SERVICES | $12,500 |
| AGAPE INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS ROSEVILLE, CA | HUMAN SERVICES | $12,500 |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AKRON, OH | HEALTH | $8,000 |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION AKRON, OH | HEALTH | $25,500 |
| AKRON CIVIC THEATRE AKRON, OH | PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $5,170 |
| AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK AKRON, OH | ENVIRONMENT AND ANIMALS | $13,179 |
| AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK AKRON, OH | HUMAN SERVICES | $129,615 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - GREATER EAST OHIO AREA CANTON, OH | HEALTH | $7,658 |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION CANTON, OH | HEALTH | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY PROBATE & TRUST MGT SHARED SERVICE CTR OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | HUMAN SERVICES | $14,852 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Mark J. Samolczyk
Grants Administrator: Robyn Guedel (Email: rguedel@starkcf.org; Phone: 234-458-2913)
Director of Donor Relations: Casey Schandel
Staff Size: 12-14 employees
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM R COOK | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY W ZELLERS | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| NANCY A VARIAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TONJA J MARSHALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KAREN SOEHNLEN MCQUEEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDREA M PERRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TODD E PUGH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GARY D SIRAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIAN S BELDEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NANCY S GESSNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREGORY W LUNTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK J SAMOLCZYK | PRESIDENT | 40 | $290,365 |
| BRIDGETTE L NEISEL | V.P. OF ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $169,816 |
| CARRIE L BAST | V.P. OF FINANCE & CFO | 40 | $180,065 |
| AMY B KREBS | V.P. OF GRANTS/COMMUNITY INITIATIVES | 40 | $144,266 |
| ANASTASIA BENDETTA | CORPORATE SECRETARY | 40 | $19,906 |
| SUSAN WARNE | CORPORATE SECRETARY (THROUGH 3/24) | 40 | $16,648 |
| NICOLE HULL-STELZER | CONTROLLER | 40 | $105,444 |
| CALLIE KING | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $103,196 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, Stark Community Foundation marked one of the most impactful years in its history, driven by extraordinary generosity from area individuals, families, and businesses. The Foundation continues to accept grant applications across multiple programs, including the Henry and Louise Timken Foundation (with a May 2, 2025 deadline) and the SummerTime Kids initiative. Recent grant awards have supported organizations including the Boys' and Girls' Club of Massillon ($1.97 million in 2023) and Boy Scouts of America - 436 Buckeye Council ($1.08 million in 2023).
Powerful Year of Generosity Propels Stark Community Foundation\u2019s Impact\Contact Information
Address: 400 Market Avenue North, Suite 200, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: 330-454-3426
Email: info@starkcf.org
Website: www.starkcf.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Stark Community Foundation fund?
The Foundation describes itself as "Your Trusted Partner in Giving," helping donors achieve their charitable goals through a variety of flexible giving tools and strategic initiatives. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Arts and Culture • Economic Development • Neighborhood Revitalization • Human Services • Health and Hunger The Foundation's strategic approach emphasizes data-driven grantmaking that addresses community needs, with a particular focus on strengthening economic developme…
How do I apply for a grant from Stark Community Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** $2,500 - $50,000 for Community Responsive Grants; typical awards range from $3,000 to $100,000 **Annual Giving:** $20.1 million (2024); $20.5 million (2023) **Total Grants Awarded Since Inception:** Nearly $275 million, including $161 million since 2014 **Board Meeting Schedule:** Five times per year (January, March, May, August, November) **Decision Timeline:** 1-2 weeks after Board meeting **Active Grant Programs Include:** • Community Responsive Grants Program • Carroll Co…
Where does Stark Community Foundation make grants?
Primary focus on Stark County, Ohio. Organizations outside Stark County are eligible if they serve Stark County residents.
What size grants does Stark Community Foundation award?
In 2024, Stark Community Foundation awarded 260 grants totaling $14.6M — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Stark Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund
ST PETERSBURG, FL
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
6,906
Total Given
$288.7M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Hoover Foundation Income Account
COLUMBUS, OH
Assets
$39.3M
Grants
62
Total Given
$3.7M
Akron Community Foundation
AKRON, OH
Assets
$305.5M
Grants
335
Total Given
$14.7M
The Ayco Charitable Foundation
COHOES, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
4,719
Total Given
$287.7M
Verizon Foundation
BASKING RIDGE, NJ
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
Synchrony Foundation
STAMFORD, CT
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Stark Community Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Stark Community Foundation to a real strategy.