Akron Community Foundation’s board of directors recently announced grants totaling $3.4 million and approved $664,650 in arts and culture grants chosen by the foundation’s Community Investment Committee.

This quarter’s arts and culture funding included a grant to Project RISE, which offers immersive arts experiences for Akron Public Schools students facing homelessness and their families. The $8,250 grant will support activities like dinner theater, live concerts, performing arts workshops, yoga, and art therapy.

In partnership with The Center for Community Solutions, Akron Community Foundation recently completed an assessment of pressing needs facing our community, with housing, mental health and public safety emerging as the top issues in Summit County.

The information gleaned from this assessment will help drive the foundation's upcoming proactive grantmaking, educational opportunities and other initiatives. The full report includes information about both Summit and Medina counties.

Akron Community Foundation recently welcomed nine new charitable funds to our growing family, including one new scholarship fund. The Summit, Portage, Stark, Carroll Nursing Scholarship (SPSCNS) Fund will provide scholarships for registered nurses pursuing an advanced nursing degree who live or work in those counties.