The plan to remake Akron should build on existing strengths
With Mayor Dan Horrigan settling into city hall, there has been much talk about Akron’s “new day,” and enthusiasm around bringing fresh perspective to economic development. And then comes the hard part: determining the best next step. What actions will create enduring community prosperity? A look at some of the communities that have enjoyed success […]
Equity in education: Leveling the playing field for all students
After many years Congress recently updated the former No Child Left Behind Act, and replaced it with the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA.) ESSA essentially answers criticisms about perceived federal oversight into local educational standards and accountability decisions by reverting many decisions back to the states. Under ESSA, the U.S. Education Secretary shall not […]
Staff Picks: What we’re reading now
We officially welcomed summer this week, so that means it’s time to start working on those summer reading lists. We’ve compiled a few of our team’s favorite recent reads; including e-newsletters, fiction, and nonfiction books to get you started. Whether you’ll be reading these poolside or in between board meetings this summer, we’re sure they […]
8 things every board member should know
Guest Post Every board seat is precious. If all board members are effectively engaged, then the board can do so much to help advance the mission of the organization. But what does it mean to be effectively engaged? Often board members want to be more engaged, but they are not certain what that means, other […]
Aging in place: How Summit County is addressing its growing senior population
Produced and written by GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation. A homecare service provider arrives at Charles Cucuzza’s house on a weekday morning. She tidies up, restocks his groceries, and prepares a nutritious breakfast for him to eat. This unvarying routine is anything but ordinary for Cucuzza who says he nearly lost all hope after […]
Free or lost-cost online communication tools for nonprofits
Our communications team compiled some of our favorite free or low-cost tools for nonprofit communications and put them to the test. Canva: provides templates so you can create and design graphics that you can use for flyers, social media posts, campaign and fundraiser announcements, graphics, and more. Nonprofit pricing is available Never designed a graphic […]
Akron2Columbus: elevating young leaders
What’s one way to inspire young leaders to think of creative ways to address some of Akron’s challenges and opportunities? Put them on a bus and take them on a road trip. Last month, GAR and Knight Foundation took over 30 emerging leaders on a study trip to Columbus. The trip is the third in […]
Best Accounting Practices Checklist for Nonprofits
Financial management decisions and internal controls are perhaps not the most exciting topics a nonprofit leader considers on a daily basis. But sound financial management practices are vital to organizational success. Not only will good internal controls keep an organization in compliance with all laws and out of trouble; they also position an organization to build stability and growth, thereby driving the mission. A quality financial “health check” starts with an honest, objective assessment of an organization’s current needs and practices.
ArtsNow: Connect, create, collaborate
It’s been nearly two years since GAR Foundation and the Knight Foundation, both long time funders of the arts and culture sector in Greater Akron, set out to engage the community to uncover a clear, objective picture of the current arts and culture landscape in Summit County. The goal was to examine the arts and […]
Why everything I learned about leadership was wrong
This article originally appeared on Smart Business Online OK, I’ll confess to a little hyperbole in the title. I should clarify: most everything is wrong. Because I am learning to discard much of what I learned in my younger years, I am compelled to share some perspective on how Leadership 101 may not play well […]