9/6/2012 - West Side Leader
     

AKRON — The GAR Foundation awarded more than $1.32 million to 22 area nonprofit organizations with its latest grant-making cycle, giving both outright and challenge grants.

The foundation’s interest in continuing to support capacity-building services for nonprofit organizations in Summit County remains strong with a $130,000 grant to BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, according to foundation officials.

“This award aligns perfectly with GAR’s strategic commitment to support the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. Our goal is stronger nonprofits to better serve the community,” said Foundation President Christine Mayer.

GAR also continued its investment in health and social service agencies in Summit County with a $450,000 grant to United Way of Summit County for the 2012-13 annual campaign.

“Our challenge grant to United Way provides a great community-wide incentive to reach new donors and gain greater dollars that support critical services provided by more than 40 United Way agencies in Summit,” said Mayer.

GAR Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1967 as charitable trust by Galen Roush, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Roadway Express, and his wife, Ruth. Since its inception, GAR has distributed more than $200 million to support nonprofits. Funding priorities include education, health and social services, arts and arts education, civic enhancement and nonprofit enhancement, with a preference for organizations serving Summit County.

The following organizations received grant awards at the foundation’s third quarter Distribution Committee meeting of 2012:

• The Illusion Factory, $20,000 in the form of a challenge, for programming to Summit County schools;

• Akron Film+Pixel, $5,000, for programming;

• Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, $70,000, for its Early Childhood Initiative program;

• Archbishop Hoban High School, $50,000 in the form of a challenge, for tuition assistance and scholarship;

• Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties, $30,000, for operations and grant-writing;

• BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, $130,000, for operations and the Knight/GAR Nonprofit Initiative Fund;

• CASA/GAL Program of Summit County, $15,000, for training volunteers;

• The City Club of Cleveland, $15,000, for a 100th anniversary celebration;

• Community Outreach Resources Exchange, $8,000, for operations;

• Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, $25,000 in the form of a challenge, for the Reach Out and Dance program;

• Downtown Akron Partnership Inc., $17,500, for operations;

• Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, $50,000, for operations;

• Friends of 91.3, $15,000 in the form of a challenge, for a fall membership challenge;

• Greater Akron Musical Association, $85,000 in the form of a challenge, for operations;

• ideastream, $55,000, for educational programming;

• Info Line Inc., $25,000, for the Summit County Food Pantry Clearinghouse;

• Jewish Family Service of Akron, Ohio, $15,000, for the Senior Care Management Program;

• Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties, $10,000, for operations;

• Tuesday Musical Association, $35,000 in the form of a challenge, for operations and recognition of the 125th anniversary;

• United Way of Summit County, $450,000 in the form of a challenge, for the 2012-13 annual campaign;

• The University of Akron Foundation, $50,000, for scholarships for the Rising to the Occasion initiative; and

• Weathervane Community Playhouse, $35,000, for operations.

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