The GAR Foundation has approved more than $1.8 million in grants to nonprofit groups in Greater Akron.
One of the key investments of the distributing committee this quarter was to address a challenge faced by some University of Akron students: balancing life as a student and parenthood.
GAR awarded $100,000 to the University of Akron Foundation to bolster the university’s new Childcare Assistance Program, which subsidizes child care through the Akron Area YMCA, GAR Foundation President Christine Amer Mayer announced.
In addition, GAR distributed a $200,000 multiyear grant to the University of Akron Foundation for room and board scholarships, helping students close small financial gaps that could otherwise derail their education.
The grant recipients are:
∎ Akron Public Schools: $87,000 for the youth bed initiative through Project Rise
∎ Alchemy Inc.: $45,000 for operating support and strategic planning
∎ Bounce Innovation Hub: $100,000 for operating support
∎ Building for Tomorrow: $190,000 for Early Childhood Initiative
∎ Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park: $75,000 for operating support
∎ Groundwork Ohio: $40,000 for operating support
∎ International Welcome Center: $15,000 for operating support
∎ Leadership Akron: $25,000 for operating support and challenge grant
∎ Magical Theatre Company: $80,000 for multiyear operating support
∎ Nightlight Cinema: $55,000 for operating support
∎ North Hill Community Development Corp.: $21,000 for fiscal sponsorship of IN-Akron
∎ Progressive Alliance Community Development Corp.: $30,000 challenge grant for operations
∎ Project GRAD Akron: $180,000 for multiyear operating support
∎ South Street Ministries: $10,000 for the youth bed initiative
∎ Summit County Continuum of Care: $20,000 for operating support
∎ Summit Education Initiative: $200,000 for operating support
∎ Torchbearers: $7,500 for operating support
∎ Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates: $75,000 for operating support
∎ Tuesday Musical Association: $120,000 for multiyear operating support
∎ University of Akron Foundation: $200,000 for multiyear room and board scholarships
∎ University of Akron Foundation: $100,000 for the Childcare Assistance Program
∎ Victim Assistance Program: $53,000 for gun violence victim support
∎ Western Reserve Community Fund: $100,000 for operating support
Galen Roush, co-founder and chief executive officer of Roadway Express, and his wife, Ruth Roush, established the GAR Foundation in 1967. The foundation’s mission is “to help Akron become smarter, stronger and more vibrant.” Visit garfoundation.org for more information.
