![Women's Endowment Fund logo](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/WEFLogo_Color_Web-1-e1685997794279.png)
In 1993, a group of 100 women came together with one goal in mind: to make a difference in the lives of local women and girls. Seeing a need for funding to support programs that empower this population, the women each gave $1,000 to establish the Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation.
Three decades later, the Women's Endowment Fund has grown to nearly $5 million, thanks to the generosity of donors who are committed to the advancement of local women and girls, including members of the fund's Circle of Empowerment. To date, the Women's Endowment Fund has awarded $2.3 million in grants to programs that uplift, empower, and educate women and girls throughout Akron and all of Summit County. The fund's biennial forum helps define the Women's Endowment Fund's grantmaking priorities, which include health and wellness, safety from violence, and economic empowerment.
Circle of Empowerment | Annual Celebration | SHEro Campaign | 30th Anniversary Timeline | Latest Newsletter | Latest Videos
Our Recent Grants
By the Numbers
Advisory Board
Advisory board members serve without pay to help the fund impact the lives of Summit County's women and girls.
![Pamela Kiltau: President <br> Vice President, Private Wealth Management, Robert W. Baird & Co.](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Pam-Kiltau.jpg)
Vice President, Private Wealth Management, Robert W. Baird & Co.
![Erin Palmer: Vice President <br> CFO & In-House Legal Counsel, Leppo Group Inc.](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/ErinPalmer.jpg)
CFO & In-House Legal Counsel, Leppo Group Inc.
![Joni Fitch: Secretary <br> Director, Community Affairs & Engagement, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Joni-Fitch-07-resized-768x753.jpg)
Director, Community Affairs & Engagement, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
![Monica Vinay: Treasurer <br> Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasurer, Myers Industries Inc.](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/MonicaVinay.jpg)
Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasurer, Myers Industries Inc.
![Holly Harris Bane: Director, Economic Development, City of Aurora; Partner, Kokopelli Coaching and Consulting](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/HHB-photo-768x943.jpg)
![Wendy Bolas: Community Volunteer](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/WendyBolas.jpg)
![Emily Browning: Director, Strategy and Consumer Insights, Akron Children's Hospital](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/EmilyBrowning.jpg)
![Donna Cerdas-Delgado: Senior Digital Marketer, Summa Health](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/DonnaDelgado.jpg)
![Laura DiCola: Director of Innovation and Partnerships, TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Laura-Dicola2.jpg)
![Betsy Engels: President and Principal Consultant, Acer Business](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Betsy-Engels_web.png)
![Lashawrida Fellows: Deputy Director, Human Resources, County of Summit](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/LashawridaFellows.jpg)
![CJ Haines: SVP of Power & Governmental Affairs, Core Scientific](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/CJ-Haines_square-768x767.jpg)
![Kim Huff: Community Relations Representative, Synthomer Foundation](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/KimHuff.jpg)
![Gizelle Jones: Licensed Independent Social Worker, Hope Behavioral Health](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/GizelleJones.jpg)
![Jolene Lane: Principal & Founder, Equity Lane LLC](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Jolene_Lane-web.jpg)
![Joy Malek Oldfield: Judge, Summit County Common Pleas Court](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/image15-copy-2-768x1024.jpg)
![Antha Poleondakis: Senior Financial Advisor, <br>Merrill Lynch](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Antha-Poleondakis.jpg)
Merrill Lynch
![Kathy Ress: Mental Health Therapist, Private Practice](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/KathyRess.jpg)
![V. Rena Suber, M.Ed: Chief School Administrator, Emmanuel Christian Academy](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/VRenaSuber_web.jpg)
![Pamela Valentine: Retired, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Pam-Valentine.jpg)
![Marcy Venarge: Controller, APV Engineered Coatings, Inc.](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/MarcyVenarge.jpg)
![Bernett L. Williams: Vice President of External Affairs, Akron Children’s Hospital](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/BernettWilliams.jpg)
News & Events
News
Welcome to the Women's Endowment Fund's 2024-2025 year! As always, we remain committed to our mission of uplifting women and girls by funding programs that significantly [...]
Nonprofit consultant Barb Greene honored with 2024 Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation [...]