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Dear Fundholders,
It's hard to believe that we're more than a month into the new year! Many of our fundholders are taking this time to reevaluate their financial and charitable goals for 2026. 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:
- Tips on nurturing generous children
- Important staff updates
- Charitable tax law changes for 2026
- A fundholder spotlight on The Charles and Salome Reymann Foundation
- A nonprofit spotlight on Ballet Excel Ohio
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.
| | By Karen Hrdlicka, Director, The Center for Family Philanthropy | | |
As a donor-advised fundholder, something in your life likely shaped your value of generosity. In our work with fundholders, we hear these stories repeatedly: the grandparent who brought a child to the food pantry each month, the parent who gave their child money each week for the church collection plate, the gratitude felt when the scouting troop they were in served meals to people experiencing homelessness.
These experiences feel personal and organic – and they are. But they are not accidental. Research shows there is a science behind how generosity develops, and those same principles can be used intentionally to help nurture generosity in the children and young people in your life.
| | | | We're hiring a new Philanthropic Services Administrator to work with you, our donor-advised fundholders, to administer grants and enhance your philanthropic goals. Until this position is filled, Director of Donor Engagement Jill Sellers will be your primary contact for all donor-advised fund requests. If you require any assistance, please reach out to Jill at 330-436-5610 or jsellers@akroncf.org. | | | | Please join us in congratulating longtime staff member Brian Reitz, who was recently promoted to Akron Community Foundation's Vice President of Community Investment. Brian joined the foundation in September 2017 as our first staff member working specifically with nonprofits to establish or grow their endowments. In his new role, Brian will be responsible for leading our community investment strategies, including grantmaking, nonprofit partnerships, and community leadership initiatives. | | Changes to your fund portal coming soon | | In late March, we will be introducing an updated online portal for our fundholders. The new platform will continue to provide you with access to your fund statements, gift and grant history, and an online grant recommendation form. More information will be coming in March and our team will be ready to assist as you navigate the new site. | | |
For decades, leaders across philanthropy, education, finance, higher education, and local government have worked together to strengthen educational outcomes in Summit County. Co-hosted by Akron Community Foundation and the City of Akron, the next installment of our Community Issues Session series offers an opportunity to step back and examine how that coordination has taken shape over time.
The panel will include:
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Joe Kanfer – Businessperson and Former Chairperson, GOJO Industries
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Dr. David James – Executive Director, Summit Education Initiative
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Christine Mayer – President, GAR Foundation
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Annie McFadden – President & CEO, United Way of Summit & Medina County
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Ron Paydo – Market President, Akron/Canton, Huntington National Bank
This conversation offers a grounded look at how coordinated leadership and long-term investment continue to shape opportunity and educational success across Summit County. This event is part of Akron Community Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting community-driven solutions that strengthen health and well-being across Summit County.
The event is free to attend, but space is limited, and RSVP is required. The session will also be livestreamed to ACF's Facebook page.
WHEN
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026
Doors open at 3:15 p.m. Session begins at 3:30 p.m.
WHERE
Bounce Innovation Hub, Signal Tree Room
526 S. Main St.
Akron, OH, 44311
On-site parking is available (Please note that we will email parking passes to attendees before the event).
QUESTIONS
Cristina González Alcalá, Ph.D. | 330-436-5626 | cgonzalezalcala@akroncf.org
REGISTRATION
Register by Wednesday, Feb. 25
| | A new year presents an excellent opportunity to check in on your charitable giving priorities. This is the case every year, but it is especially important in 2026 because of new tax laws that may impact charitable giving strategies for some people. | | | |
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For more than a century, the Reymann name has been synonymous with community, compassion and commitment. The family's philanthropic legacy began in the 19th century, when Charles Reymann immigrated to the United States and laid roots in Akron.
Today, that legacy continues to flourish through the Charles and Salome Reymann Foundation, a private family foundation dedicated to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Northeast Ohio. In 2022, the family established a donor-advised fund at Akron Community Foundation to complement and enhance the work of their foundation.
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Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, more popularly known as Ballet Excel Ohio, is the fourth-oldest youth ballet in the country. And the dance company is amid its 50th anniversary celebration, which will be capped with a March 14 event at the Akron Civic Theatre, including an alumni party and an exclusive performance of "Aladdin," Ballet Excel Ohio's newest full-length ballet, along with featuring several returning alumni dancers and a full roster of past choreographers, many of whom are now internationally renowned leaders in the dance world.
| | 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. | | |
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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