Akron, Ohio (May 21, 2016) – The Distribution Committee of GAR Foundation announced Tuesday $1,523,500 in funding to 38 community organizations in the areas of education, basic needs and independence, arts and culture, and civic enhancement.

ArtsNow was awarded $100,000 to continue to enrich and advance arts and culture in the region. The organization, which will celebrate its one year anniversary this July, is a direct outcome of the GAR and Knight Foundation funded Arts and Culture Assessment commissioned in 2013. The assessment pointed to the need for a backbone organization to align the arts sector.

“ArtsNow connects arts and culture to the community in a dynamic way,” said Christine Amer Mayer, president of GAR Foundation. “We continue to be impressed with the momentum and innovation the organization has displayed since its inception last summer. From the robust online platform, SummitLive365 to convening local arts groups around shared interests, we view ArtsNow as a critical component to a stronger creative sector which in turn improves our quality of life and our economy.”

Other notable grants include $160,000 to Greenleaf Family Center for the SPARK kindergarten readiness program; $95,000 to Downtown Akron Partnership for downtown planning and business development; and a first-time grant of $7,500 to the Big Love Network for the Akron City Repair Project, an effort that will support neighborhood-driven creative placemaking projects such as intersection street paintings, pocket parks, and permaculture installations.

Among GAR’s grants in the basic needs and independence area was a $50,000 grant to United Way of Summit County for the Bridges Summit County initiative. Bridges provides a framework to help employers, community organizations, social service agencies and individuals learn how to effectively reach and support adults and families who are striving to move from financial dependence to independence.

The organizations receiving support this quarter include:

• ArtsNow, $100,000 , for general operations. Fiscal sponsor: Akron Civic Theatre
• Big Love Network, $7,500 , for the Akron City Repair project. Fiscal sponsor: Global Ties Akron
• Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, $50,000*, for general operations.
• Apollo’s Fire, The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, $10,000*, for general operations.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, $110,000 , for general operations
• Children’s Concert Society of Akron, $17,500 , for the Concert Hall Series and after-school outreach programs.
• College Now Greater Cleveland, $55,000 ,  for college access services in Akron Public Schools
• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, $10,000 , for summer camping programs.
• DANCECleveland, $5,000, for the fall 2016 University of Akron residency program
• DataArts, $10,000 , for the Cultural Data Profile tool.
• Downtown Akron Partnership, $95,000 , for general operations.
• Emmanuel Christian Academy, $35,000 , for extended day and teacher professional development.
• EXL Center,  $35,000 , for the EXL Center Faculty Hackathons.
• Family & Community Services, $60,000 , for meal delivery and general operations in Summit County
• First Glance Student Center, Inc., $35,000 , for general operations.
• Friends of WKSU, $20,000*, for general operations.
• Greenleaf Family Center, $160,000 , for the SPARK program.
• Groundworks Dance Theater, $25,000 , for operations in Summit County.
• Hiram House, $10,000 , for summer camperships.
• Interfaith Caregivers Program, $25,000 for general operations.
• Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, Inc., $30,000 ,  for operations in Summit County.
• Keep Akron Beautiful, $22,000 , for general operations.
• Lawrence School, $25,000 , for professional development and literacy intervention training with Emmanuel Christian Academy.
• Let’s Grown Akron, $30,000 , A grant of $30,000 for operations.
• Magical Theatre Company, $25,000 , for general operations.
• Musical Arts Association,  $75,000 ,  for the 2016 Blossom Music Festival.
• North Hill Community House, $15,000 , for general operations.
• Philanthropy Ohio, $7,500 , for general operations and the Education Initiative.
• Summit County Reentry Network, $30,000 , for the general operations. Fiscal sponsor: Oriana House
• Salvation Army Summit County Area Services,  $134,000 , for operations of the Learning Zone.
• Senior Independence of Akron, $20,000 , for the Adult Day Center.
• St. Vincent De Paul Parish School,  $25,000 , for STEM/problem-based learning professional development.
• Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $30,000*, for the Annual Fund.
• United Way of Summit County, $40,000, for Bridges Out of Poverty Summit County.
• Urban Vision, $35,000 , for the Set on Success afterschool program.
• Victim Assistance Program, Inc., $30,000 , for general operations.
• Western Reserve Historical Society, $35,000 ,  for educational programming at Hale Farm & Village and the expansion of InHale
• Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, $40,000 , for general operations.

*consists of a challenge grant.
Media contact: Dina Younis, [email protected].