Gay Community Endowment Fund
This grant funds nonprofit projects that promote safety, mental health, and inclusion for the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ community, with a focus on youth and anti-phobia initiatives.
Funder: Akron Community Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards: Micro grants $1,000–$3,000; Impact grants $10,000+; Recent annual total ~$80,000–$85,000 across 10–18 grants.
Summary: Supports nonprofit initiatives advancing safety, equity, and inclusion for the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ community.
Key Information: Only 501(c)(3) nonprofits; strong preference for programs benefitting LGBTQ+ youth, mental health, or combating phobia.
Description
The Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation provides annual grants to nonprofit organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Akron. The fund prioritizes projects that create safer environments for LGBTQ+ youth, address mental health and suicide prevention, and combat LGBTQ+ phobias. Additional funding is available for a broad range of programs, including arts, community events, and operational needs that directly benefit the local LGBTQ+ population. Since 2001, the fund has awarded over $1 million to local causes, aiming to foster a society where LGBTQ+ individuals experience equity, acceptance, and the right to live authentically.
