Fall 2021
From our president
Fall is my favorite time of year. It brings crisp weather, blue skies, great beauty and an entire holiday devoted to gratitude. With a great sense of honor and appreciation, I look forward to beginning my journey as the next president of the Women’s Endowment Fund. 

I am thankful for the mentorship, wisdom and friendship of our current and past board, founding mothers, and Akron Community Foundation. I am grateful for our donors and this community filled with incredible organizations that make Akron a better place not only for women and girls, but for everyone. But most of all, I am overwhelmed by the strength and resilience that each one of us has shown – and continues to show – as we reckon with the “new normal” during these challenging times.  

On September 23, we hosted an exceptional forum to discuss the mental wellness of women and girls. Led by a panel of key experts, this half-day event provided an opportunity for community leaders to learn from our panelists and engage in deep conversations about the social, emotional and economic impact mental health plays in our lives. Ideas identified during this forum will be used to help direct our grantmaking efforts for the next two years.  

Speaking of grants, we are now accepting proposals through November 1 for programs that enrich the lives of local women and girls. These grants will be announced at our "For Women, Forever" annual dinner in March. More information about our grantmaking process and annual dinner can be found in the articles below.

As we approach the end of 2021 and move into a season of giving, I ask you to consider how you can increase your involvement with the Women's Endowment Fund. This could be through sponsoring our annual dinner in March, joining our Circle of Empowerment, or simply spreading awareness about our fund and its mission.

Whether you donate, advocate, or volunteer for our fund - we thank you for standing with us and believing in Akron women.


Sincerely,
Laura DiCola
President, Women's Endowment Fund
Save the date for our "For Women, Forever" annual dinner on March 9, 2022. This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Ernst & Young LLP Vice Chair and US-Central Region Managing Partner, Julie Boland. During the event, we will also honor Dr. Sandy Auburn, retired philanthropic development professional and active community volunteer, with the Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women. This event has sold out the last six years, so reserve your seats now by becoming an event sponsor. 
In September, the Women's Endowment Fund hosted its biennial forum with a group of nearly 100 community leaders and industry experts to discuss mental health, the pandemic and moving forward for local women and girls. Outcomes from the forum will be used to help guide the fund's 2022-23 grantmaking decisions.

In addition to health and wellness, the fund supports programs that enrich the lives of local women and girls in the areas of economic empowerment and safety from violence. Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations should apply for a grant online before Nov. 1, 2021. 
In 2018, the Women’s Endowment Fund created the Circle of Empowerment to maintain continued sustainability of the fund and increase its grantmaking impact each year. The Circle of Empowerment is a special group of donors who support the Women’s Endowment Fund with an annual leadership gift of $1,000 or more.
Donors of our Circle of Empowerment receive:

  • Special recognition at our events, including being listed in all event programs and marketing related materials
  • Advance First-to-Know communication about our fund’s latest news
  • An invitation to our annual Circle of Empowerment gathering
  • The knowledge that their gifts uplift women in our community now and forever
Thank you to the generous donors who contributed to the Women's Endowment Fund from May 1 - Sept. 30, 2021. Your gifts will uplift and empower women and girls in our community for many years to come.

Ways to Give
From cash to mutual funds, and retirement assets to real estate,
there are many ways to give to the Women's Endowment Fund.