GAR Awards $1,449,000 to 25 Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio Nonprofits

GAR Awards $1,449,000 to 25 Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio Nonprofits

Brittany LaPointe \
August 27, 2013

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Contact: Christian A. Turner                                                                                                  

Office: 330.572.2809                                                                                                               

Mobile: 330.639.8295

Email: [email protected]                                                                                                                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GAR Foundation awards $1,449,000 to 25 Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio Nonprofits

AKRON, Ohio (August 19, 2013) – GAR Foundation awarded $1,449,000 to 25 area nonprofit organizations at its August distribution meeting with United Way of Summit County (UWSC) receiving the largest grant of $450,000.

“United Way is a vital asset to this community,” said Kirstin Toth, GAR Foundation Senior Vice President. “The innovative leadership at United Way helps generous people and businesses throughout Greater Akron to contribute meaningfully where the community needs it most.”

The $450,000 award comes in the form of a $1-for-$1 challenge grant for UWSC’s 2013-14 ambitious campaign goal of $12.3 million. The grant is designed to garner new donations from employees, individual donors and businesses running first-time campaigns. In its 95-year history, UWSC has raised more than $453 million in charitable gifts that were invested back into the community. In addition to raising funds, UWSC continues to guide area organizations on the path to stronger collaboration and greater effectiveness.

GAR also awarded a number of other grants to area nonprofits. Austen Bioinnovaton Institute in Akron (ABIA) was awarded $100,000 to continue its groundbreaking work in patient-centered innovation and commercialization. CORE Furniture Bank received $13,000 for operations and to implement a new delivery program. CORE delivers thousands of major furniture items to needy families throughout Summit County.  Tri-County Jobs for Ohio Graduates was awarded $57,500 to help students at risk for not completing high school or who have dropped out of high school to achieve their G.E.D. 

The following organizations received grant awards at August 8, 2013 GAR Foundation Distribution Committee:

 

Organization

Amount

Purpose

Act II Productions

$5,000

   For general operating support.

Asian Services in Action, Inc.

$40,000

   For the International Community Empowerment Project.

Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron

$100,000

   For operations.

Building for Tomorrow

$70,000

   For the Early Childhood Initiative.

BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence

$130,000

   For operations and to help subsidize consulting by BVU:CNE to Summit nonprofits.

CASA Board Volunteer Association

$15,000

   For operations.

Child Guidance & Family Solutions

$35,000

   For the Toddlers and Preschoolers Succeeding program.

City of Akron

$15,000

   For the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival.

CORE Furniture Bank

 

$13,000

   For general operations and for implementation of a new delivery program.

Downtown Akron Partnership, Inc.

$20,000

   For general operations.

Friends of 91.3*

$18,500

   For evaluation and the fall membership campaign. 

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio

$40,000

   For the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in Barberton.

Great Lakes Theater Festival, Inc.

$30,000

   For Surround Series programming.

Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America

$60,000

   For development of an assessment model for Boy Scouting in collaboration with GAR      staff and for the Exploring/Venturing career-based education program.

Greater Akron Musical Association

$95,000

   For operations ($90,000) and for a board development facilitation process with BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence ($5,000).

ideastream

$55,000

   For educational programming.

Info Line, Inc.

$25,000

   For the Summit County Food Pantry Clearinghouse.

Jewish Family Service of Akron, Ohio

$25,000

   For operations.

Kent State University Foundation

$15,000

   For operations of Blackstone LaunchPad.

The Portage Foundation*

$50,000 

   For the operating fund.

Pregnancy Care of Summit County, Inc.*

$20,000

   For operations.

Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates

$57,500

   For operations and for curriculum development for to meet new Common Core Standards.

United Way of Summit County*

$450,000

   For the 2013-14 annual campaign

Tuesday Musical Association

$30,000

   For general operating support.

Weathervane Community Playhouse, Inc.

$35,000

   For operating support.

*The award is part or entirely a challenge grant.

For more information contact Christian A. Turner at [email protected] or 330.572.2809.