Hundreds of individuals, families, nonprofits and local businesses have trusted Akron Community Foundation with their philanthropy over the years. Whether they started a donor-advised fund to give back to their favorite causes, a scholarship fund to help students pursue their educational dreams, or an agency endowment fund to support their nonprofit's mission, all of our fundholders are giving back to the community in meaningful ways.
The following new funds have joined their ranks, and you can, too. Learn how easy it is to start your own charitable fund.
From Dec. 11, 2024, to March 19, 2025, we welcomed 18 new funds:
A new scholarship fund established in memory of longtime AAF-Akron member Susan Kosich will provide scholarships for students pursuing a career in a communications-related field.
- Alchemy Inc. Endowment Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support Alchemy Inc.'s mission of helping urban adolescents to develop a sense of personal purpose in life and to thrive as members of a family, school, community and world-at-large.
- Auker Family Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Dan and Fran Auker.
- Phil and Mindy Bartholomae Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Phil and Mindy Bartholomae.
- Carlisle and Troiano Scholarship Fund: Scholarship fund established to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are pursuing a postsecondary degree and are enrolled in Akron Public Schools or any public school district serving Medina County.
- Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet dba Ballet Excel Ohio Legacy Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support Ballet Excel Ohio's mission of providing professional-level training and performance opportunities to talented young dancers and educating young audiences in the art of ballet through original children's ballets performed by children, for children.
- Steven A. Dimengo Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Steve and Tina Dimengo.
- DiMeo Family Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Samuel DiMeo.
- Global Ties Akron Endowment Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support education programs and internships at Global Ties Akron.
- JewishAkron Endowment Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support JewishAkron's mission of sustaining and inspiring Jewish Life, while keeping our community safe and engaged, whether in Greater Akron, Israel or throughout the world.
- Kargbo Family Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Elizabeth Kargbo to support Christian charitable organizations in Akron that provide compassionate health and human services to individuals and families residing in low-income households.
- Dr. George Knepper and Dave Lieberth History Fund of Summit County Historical Society Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support the Summit County Historical Society, with preference for supporting history interns.
- *Susan B. Kosich Endowed Scholarship for Marketing Communications: Scholarship fund established in memory of longtime AAF-Akron member Susan Kosich to provide scholarships for students at an accredited Northeast Ohio college or university pursuing a bachelor's degree in a communications-related field.
- Jonathan Donald Kuhns Memorial Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Louise Kuhns Harvey in memory of her son, Jon.
- George H. "Mike" Lewis III Fund: Board discretionary fund established with a bequest from George H. "Mike" Lewis III to support nonprofit organizations in the Greater Akron and Summit County community, with consideration given to the Great Trail Council of Scouting America, of which Mike was a longtime board member and supporter.
- *Lock 3 Maintenance Endowment Fund: Agency endowment fund established by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition to support special enhancements to the maintenance of Lock 3 in downtown Akron.
- Kristen Manes Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Kristen Manes.
- Newman Grandchildren Fund: Donor-advised fund established by Steve Newman and Debra Shifrin.
- South Street Ministries Endowment Fund: Agency endowment fund established to support South Street Ministries' mission of equipping and inspiring the restoration of community, economy and faith within the South Akron, Summit Lake and reentry communities.
*Permanently endowed funds
Professional Advisor Partners
Thank you to the following accountants, attorneys and financial advisors for helping their clients achieve their charitable goals with a fund at Akron Community Foundation from Dec. 11, 2024, to March 18, 2025:
- Michael Batu, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network
- Russ McLaughlin, Dooley Gembala McLaughlin Pecora
- Sheri Peters, Sheri A. Peters Co., L.P.A.
- Allan Sweet, Palumbo & Sweet LLC