Fall 2025

Dear Fundholders,

Here at the foundation, we are excited to be coming up on the holidays, one of our busiest giving seasons. This issue of Donor-Advised Insights includes the deadlines, tips and year-end giving information you need to know. 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:

Year-end giving deadlines
Our 2025 Year-End Giving Guide
A list of ways our staff can help you structure your charitable giving to support your community in uncertain times
A nonprofit spotlight on the Akron Blind Center

As always, you'll find 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

Mark your calendar: Year-end giving deadlines are almost here!

Year-end will be here before you know it. To ensure you get a tax deduction in this calendar year or that your favorite nonprofits receive grants from your fund, please follow the below recommended guidelines:

December 1: Submit your grants through DonorCentral or by completing our grant recommendation form to ensure processing by the end of the year.
December 8: Initiate your stock transfers and IRA distributions to ensure enough time for processing. Check with your financial institution about whether they have a different deadline to initiate transfers.
December 31: Make sure your gifts are postmarked or made online by 11:59 p.m. to earn a tax deduction for 2025.

We anticipate delays in mail delivery as we approach the holiday season. For that reason, we advise you to use your DonorCentral account for grant recommendations to ensure we receive your recommendations on time.

Your Year-End Giving Guide is now available!

Before you ring in the new year, make sure you're on track to meet your financial and charitable goals for 2025. This year's guide includes tips to give smarter under the new tax law, including accelerating your giving to maximize charitable deductions in 2025.

Download our Year-End Giving Guide and bring it along to your next meeting with your advisors to ensure your giving is advantageous for you and the causes you care about.

Download Now

How we can help: Navigating tax law changes and rising community needs

You are likely aware that many families in our community are struggling, and you may be wondering how you can help most effectively. Whether increased community needs are triggered by a government shutdown that disrupts paychecks, services and community programs; a natural disaster; or economic factors, Akron Community Foundation is committed to helping you structure charitable giving plans that make a real difference in the lives of people in our region.

Here are just a few examples of how our team can help:

Identifying needs in real time
Offering fast and flexible charitable solutions
Leveraging important timing
Planning for the future

Grantee Spotlight: Akron Blind Center

Did you know that over 32,000 people in Summit County are visually challenged? The Akron Blind Center has been serving the visually challenged community since 1948 with a wide range of tailored programs. In this grantee spotlight, clients shared that they have found a second home or family at the center. Through building community, the people who come to the Akron Blind Center overcome their obstacles together.

Watch Now

Your quarterly fund statement is now available

Fund statements for the quarter ending September 30 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.