Winter 2025

Dear Fundholders,

It's hard to believe that we're a month into the new year! Many of our fundholders are taking this time to reevaluate their financial and charitable goals for 2025. As always, our team is happy to meet with you to discuss how the community foundation can support your strategic philanthropy.

Each quarter, our team brings you Donor-Advised Insights, covering the latest in charitable giving trends and news from the foundation. Here's what you can find in this issue:

Information on our new Giving Guide to help you plan your strategic philanthropy
Institute for Emerging Philanthropists 2025-26 class application
A digital copy of the latest edition of our magazine
A fundholder spotlight on our 2024 Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award recipient, Father Norm Douglas

As always, you'll find co-investment opportunities, a link to your quarterly fund statement, upcoming events, and foundation news. We hope you enjoy this issue, and we welcome your questions about any of the resources included below.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime.

Laura Lederer

Vice President and Chief Development Officer

Akron Community Foundation

330-436-5611

llederer@akroncf.org

Giving Guide: Your Personal Charitable Roadmap

Strategic philanthropic planning today can help you be more impactful with the dollars you grant in the future. By completing our new Giving Guide, we can help you intentionally craft your charitable giving plan and better tailor the opportunities we share with you, ensuring they align with your charitable goals.

We ask you to please complete the online form linked here, or to reach out to our staff to schedule a time to discuss your giving plan.

Jill Sellers

Director of Donor Engagement

jsellers@akroncf.org

330-436-5610

Karen Hrdlicka

Director, The Center for Family Philanthropy

khrdlicka@akroncf.org

330-436-5640

Complete Your Roadmap

Have you read our latest magazine?

Check out the current issue of our magazine, which includes an uplifting profile on the life and work of Father Norm Douglas, our 2024 Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award recipient. Also included in this issue is an article about inherited IRAs, our latest financials, and updates on our seven affiliate funds. See the current issue at akroncf.org/publications or contact Michelle Nissel at mnissel@akroncf.org to receive a printed copy.

Fundholder Spotlight: Father Norm Douglas

In 1933, a young woman named Elsie May Goodall boarded a bus to leave her hometown of Staten Island, New York. She set her sights on the glitter of Tinseltown, where she found work in the film studios of RKO and MGM. There, she also met a man named Landon Douglas, who became her husband before abandoning her when she became pregnant.

While this sounds in some ways like the opening scene of a Hollywood film, it's actually the prologue to Norman Keith Douglas' story.

Institute for Emerging Philanthropists now accepting 2025-26 nominations

The Institute for Emerging Philanthropists is an exclusive, biennial educational program designed to support, inspire and cultivate a developing group of donors. This structured seven-session program (September – June) helps participants identify their personal philanthropic goals and develop plans for a lifelong commitment to improving our community.

If you or someone you know would be a good fit, consider applying today. Applications are due April 15 for the upcoming cohort. For questions, contact Karen Hrdlicka, director of The Center for Family Philanthropy, at 330-436-5640 or khrdlicka@akroncf.org.

Deadline approaching! Submit your co-investment grants via DonorCentral

Did you know you can contribute to our quarterly grant co-investment program through our online fundholder portal, DonorCentral? As a fundholder, you have the opportunity to review Akron Community Foundation's competitive grant applications and support initiatives that align with your charitable interests. Check out your fund portal to view our current Education grant applicants now!

If you haven't registered your DonorCentral account yet, view our instructions to get started or reach out to your primary contact for assistance. All co-investment requests should be submitted by February 4.

Education Co-Investment Opportunities

Your quarterly fund statement is now available

Fund statements for the quarter ending December 31 are now available through our online fundholder portal, DonorCentral. This document includes timely financial information, such as your fund balance, contributions, investment activity, grants and distributions, and more. For questions about your fund statement, please contact us at 330-376-8522. If you haven't registered your DonorCentral account yet, view our instructions to get started.