The Distribution Committee of GAR Foundation awarded $2,867,000 to 40 community organizations at its August 7, 2014 meeting, with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park receiving the largest grant of $1 million.

The Conservancy award supports the building of a new Visitor Center for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the amount of $750,000 and the Trails Forever campaign– an effort which directly engages the public to ensure that the Conservancy trail system is maintained and preserved for all time, for all people.

“The Cuyahoga Valley National Park consistently lands in the top ten to twelve most visited national parks, and visitors are coming from greater distances than they used to,” said GAR president, Christine Amer Mayer. “GAR sees the Visitor Center as an important asset to our national park that will improve visitors’ park experience and orient them to the many destinations they can visit in our region,” added Mayer.

In other awards, a grant in the amount of $80,000 was awarded to Child Guidance and Family Solutions to support early childhood efforts through the Toddlers and Parents Succeeding program, and The Akron Digital Media Center received $15,000 to continue its operations to provide quality journalism and media training for community members through the Akronist. A $100,000 grant was awarded to The Summit County Historical Society for a curator, museum software and the acquisition of artifacts in preparation for Akron’s Bicentennial 2025.

GAR also distributed $300,000 in mission-critical capital funding to 12 community organizations, including a $50,000 grant to the Magical Theater Company in support of theater renovations to provide a safe and welcoming venue for children, families and schools.

The following organizations also received grant awards at the August 7, 2014 GAR Foundation Distribution Committee meeting:

• Akron Area Arts Alliance, $5,000, For organizational self-study and strategic planning
• Akron Digital Media Center, $15,000, For The Akronist digital media initiatives
• Alchemy, Inc., $40,000 , For capacity building
• Archbishop Hoban High School, $20,000#, For capital improvements 
• Asian Services in Action, Inc., $50,000, For the International Community Empowerment Program and to expand programming into Jennings Middle School
• Building for Tomorrow, $75,000, For the Early Childhood Initiative
• BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence , $130,000, For operations
• CASA Board Volunteer Association, $20,000, For operations
• Child Guidance & Family Solutions, $80,000, For the TAPS program
• City of Akron, $15,000, For the 2014 Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival
• CORE Furniture Bank, $8,000, For operations
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, $1,000,000, For the Visitor Center capital campaign and the Trails Forever Endowment fund
• DANCECleveland, $5,000, For the 2014 fall residency program at The University of Akron
• Downtown Akron Partnership, $20,000, For operations
• Friends of 91.3, $15,000*, For the 2014 Fall Membership Challenge
• Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, $55,000, For the Exploring / Venturing program
• Greenleaf Family Center, $50,000, For electronic health record implementation
• Hudson City School District, $20,000#, For capital improvements; courtyard learning space at East Woods Elementary School
• ideastream, $99,000, For STEM educator professional development
• Info Line, Inc. , $30,000, For the Summit County Food Pantry Clearinghouse and 2-1-1 Referral System
• Jewish Family Service, $35,000, For operations
• Legacy III, Inc., $10,000#, For capital improvements; purchase and update of transitional facility
• Magical Theater Company, $50,000#, For capital improvements; renovations to the Park Theater
• Mature Services, Inc., $30,000#, For capital improvements; facility upgrades
• Neighborhood Network of University Park, $10,000, To support community liaison/development
• NEOMED Foundation, $50,000, For scholarships for the College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy
• Pregnancy Care of Summit County, Inc. , $20,000, For operations
• Ronald McDonald House of Akron, $25,000#, For capital improvements; the Promise Capital campaign
• Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, $10,000, For camperships
• Shaw Jewish Community Center, $10,000#, For capital improvements; Make-a-Splash campaign
• Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $50,000#, For capital improvements
• Stark State College Foundation, $50,000, For scholarships to Stark State College for Summit County dual enrollment high school graduates
• Summit County Historical Society, $100,000, For a curator, museum software and the acquisition of artifacts for Akron’s Bicentennial 2025, over three years.
• Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates, $75,000 #, For operations and capital improvements
• United Way of Summit County, $450,000*, For the 2014-15 annual campaign
• Victim Assistance Program, $10,000#, For capital improvements
• Walsh Jesuit High School, $20,000 #, For capital improvements; Universal Science Lab
• Weathervane Community Playhouse, Inc., $40,000, For operations
• Western Reserve Historical Society, $30,000#, For capital improvements; restoration of historical buildings of Hale Farm & Village
• Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, $40,000, For operations 

*The award consists of a challenge grant.
#The award consists in part or entirely of a capital grant. 
Click here to download this list of awards. 
 

_{For more information contact Dina Younis at [email protected] or 330.572.2809.}