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Akron Community Foundation recently awarded $671,500 in arts and culture grants to 57 organizations as part of its latest round of community investments. In total, the foundation distributed $6.2 million in grants this past quarter.
The arts and culture funding supports programs that expand access to the arts, celebrate local creativity, and strengthen cultural experiences across Summit County. Notable recipients include the Akron Black Artist Guild, which received $7,500 to support exhibitions, artist advocacy, professional development, and community engagement opportunities for artists from historically underrepresented communities. The National Center for Choreography-Akron received support for a yearlong series of community dance events celebrating its 10th anniversary, while new grantee Killer Video received $5,000 to advance its independent horror film festival, family-focused media literacy programs and unique downtown Akron video museum.
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For more than four decades, Laura Bailey Culp has demonstrated what it means to lead through service. Laura has helped shape a stronger Greater Akron through her unwavering commitment to volunteerism, board leadership and charitable giving. Her influence can be seen throughout the community through her service to organizations including Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, Corbin Foundation, Akron Area YMCA, Greater Akron Chamber, Leadership Akron, United Way of Summit & Medina and many others. In recognition of Laura's lasting impact, she will become the 57th recipient of the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron Fairlawn.
Sponsorships are now available and tickets will go on sale in early fall. Questions about sponsorships? Contact Laura Lederer at 330-436-5611 or llederer@akroncf.org.
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We are excited to welcome six accomplished leaders to our board of directors. Bringing expertise in business leadership, finance, human resources, technology, communications, design, and community engagement, each will help strengthen our organization and advance our mission.
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Jennifer Venarge DiSalvo, Vice President of Human Resources at APV Engineered Coatings, brings extensive experience in talent development, strategic planning, organizational growth and people-centered leadership.
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Rev. Ron Fowler II, Executive Pastor of Arlington Church of God, offers a unique blend of leadership in ministry, technology, business management and community partnership building.
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Jesse Hurst, CFP®, AIF®, CEO of Impel Wealth Management, contributes decades of expertise in financial strategy, business growth and long-term organizational planning.
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Eric Jones, President of Jones Group Interiors, brings more than 50 years of experience in business leadership, project management, design and nonprofit engagement throughout the Akron community.
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Quinnie Lane, retired from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company after 45 years of service, offers deep expertise in change management, communications and cybersecurity awareness within a global organization.
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Jim Nilsen, former president of Albrecht, Incorporated and longtime community leader, provides extensive experience in finance, governance, real estate development and nonprofit leadership.
| | From April 1 through July 28, 2026, Akron Community Foundation welcomed 25 new charitable funds established by generous individuals, families and organizations committed to making a lasting impact. These new funds will support a wide range of causes, including affordable housing, education, scholarships, arts and culture, health care, conservation, historic preservation, youth development and community needs throughout our region. | | |
Fifteen-year-old Aaliyah Tidmore is turning her lifelong dream of becoming a professional ballerina into reality through hard work, determination and opportunity. After overcoming a knee injury, she attended a summer intensive dance training at the Pacific Northwest Ballet, a prestigious ballet company in Seattle, with the help of a scholarship from the Kate Lieberth Lytton Education in Dance Fund. "This opportunity meant the world to me," Aaliyah said. "At Pacific Northwest Ballet, I made good progress on working on my turnout and jumps, and it's definitely helping me back at my home studio."
This summer, she'll be attending another summer intensive in Connecticut. From there, Aaliyah dreams of one day dancing for the San Francisco Ballet or American Ballet Theatre – dreams she's working hard to make a reality.
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See other recent updates and informative articles from Akron Community Foundation and our affiliate funds this past quarter:
| | Visit Our Affiliate Funds | | |
Contact Us
Akron Community Foundation
345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307
Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Phone: 330-376-8522
Fax: 330-376-0202
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