Spring 2019
Through its Infant Mortality Prevention Project, funded in part by the Women’s Endowment Fund, Community Legal Aid helps at-risk new mothers facing barriers that put their health and the well-being of their baby in jeopardy. By way of legal representation, education, and advocacy, Community Legal Aid’s attorneys resolve issues like safe and affordable housing, domestic violence, debt, and more.
In order to increase our positive impact on women and girls in the community, our fund has decided to embark on a strategic plan to grow our endowment to $5 million by 2025. For support, we will look to our community, friends, small businesses, corporations, those who know us, and those who haven’t yet met us.
Local SHEro, Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, recently sat down with members of the Women’s Endowment Fund to discuss future leadership and female empowerment in our community. Judge Rowlands is one of our fund’s featured SHEroes highlighted through the "Who Is Your SHEro?” campaign, which will run through April 30.
 
This year, the Women’s Endowment Fund awarded a record $180,000 in grants to 25 local nonprofit organizations. This latest round of grants brings the fund’s cumulative grantmaking total to more than $1.3 million. Among this year’s funding priorities were health and wellness, safety from violence, and economic empowerment for women and girls.
On March 5, over 500 local leaders gathered at Goodyear Hall in Akron to celebrate women’s philanthropy at WEF’s “For Women, Forever” annual dinner. The event featured Marcella Kanfer Rolnick, executive chair of GOJO Industries, and raised nearly $80,000 for the endowment. During the evening, the Women's Endowment Fund also presented Norma Rist with the fourth annual Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women.
Thank you to the generous donors who contributed to the Women's Endowment Fund from Oct. 1, 2018 to Feb. 28, 2019. Your gifts will uplift and empower women and girls in our community for many years to come.

Events
Don’t miss your chance to give a gift your mom, aunt, sister or friend will cherish forever. Through April 30, you can make gifts in honor or memory of the SHEroes in your life. Donations are fully tax deductible and will benefit women and girls in Summit County for years to come. Honoree cards are mailed the first week of May.
The Women’s Endowment Fund is hosting its biannual forum on women and girls on Thursday, Sept. 19. This year, industry experts will discuss collaborative solutions for the economic empowerment of women. Outcomes from this forum will be available to the community and help direct the fund’s 2020 grantmaking efforts. Featured panelists for the event include: Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer, Summit County Probate Court; Molly Becker, director of communications and marketing, Akron METRO RTA; Dr. Jennifer L. Savitski, obstetrics and gynecology, Cleveland Clinic Akron General; Judi Hill, president, NAACP Akron; and Carla Chapman, director of community relations, Akron Public Schools. To receive updates about this year’s forum, sign up for our newsletter.
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.
Upcoming Events
Stay up to date on the Women's Endowment Fund's events through Akron Community Foundation's Around Akron Calendar.