All For One

Community means everything. Take a good look at us and you’ll see we’re dedicatedto the common good with advocates in every corner. Whether you need support or can off er it to someone else, we welcome you. No matter your background or abilities, there’s a place for you in Akron-Canton.

Right here. Right now With us.

Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs 

Since 1924, Rotary Camp has been a cherished and trusted viable resource in providing campers with special needs opportunities to experience traditional camping activities, develop friendships, learn life skills and create memories that will last a lifetime. Annually, Rotary Camp serve children and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health disorders in summer day, summer overnight and school year respite camping programs. Camp is off ered at the main campus at Rex Lake in Akron and the Happy Day School in Ravenna, Ohio. Rotary Camp is operated by the Akron Area YMCA.

Akron Community Foundation

The motto tells it all: “By the people, for the people.” For 68 years, Akron Community Foundation has been a trusted way to give to a favorite cause through a variety of charitable funds. For instance, the donoradvised fund is an alternative to establishing a private foundation. Choose your favorite nonprofi t, and the community foundation will make sure your gifts reach their targets. The Foundation manages $260 million in charitable assets in more than 820 charitable funds and has given nearly $225 million in grants for the greater good of the Akron community.

Stark Community Foundation 

Since 1963 when the Stark Community Foundation was formed, tens of thousands of lives have been enriched through grants and scholarships. It’s the community’s trusted partner in eff ective philanthropy. Today, the foundation stewards more than 850 charitable funds totaling nearly $400 million in assets and has granted over $215 million to nonprofi ts in our community and beyond.

Leadership Akron and Torchbearers

Leadership Akron, currently celebrating their 40th anniversary, unlocks the potential of leaders and inspires them to create a stronger Greater Akron. Torchbearers and Leadership Akron have a partnership to enrich Greater Akron by supporting community leaders from high school through retirement. Diversity on Board, created with the United Way of Summit & Medina, off ers leadership development, education, and board matching services to advance minority representation on public and nonprofi t boards.

CANAPI

Community AIDS Network/Akron Pride Initiative (CANAPI) is a nonprofi t organization dedicated to HIV support services and LGBTQ advocacy in Summit and Portage counties. CANAPI promotes the well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community and persons at risk or aff ected by HIV through education, support services, housing and advocacy.

United Way of Summit & Medina

United Way takes on issues that matter most to children and families by focusing on four Bold Goals for the community by 2028.

Ready for Success: Raising third grade reading scores for 65% of Akron Public School (APS) students

Youth Success: Raising four-year graduation rates among APS high schoolers to 90% and increasing college and career readiness among graduates

Financial Empowerment: Financially empowering 11,000 people in Summit County and 2,500 people in Medina County

Health Equity: Reducing the Black infant mortality rate in Summit County to 6 per 1,000 live births With more than a century of experience in Greater Akron, United Way brings together partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors and thousands of volunteers.

United Way of Greater Stark County

United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Stark and Carroll counties. United Way of Greater Stark County has identified four areas for investment: childhood success, youth success, access to health and economic mobility. By addressing these priorities, the United Way builds a foundation for stable households and helps to break the cycle of poverty.

Stewart’s Caring Place

Stewart’s Caring Place provides non-medical supportive services and programs at no cost in a relaxed and caring environment to individuals and families touched by cancer. The 150 services and programs offered throughout the year focus on the mental and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, including support groups, a food pantry, holistic programs, wigs, fitness classes and more. With many programs and services remaining hybrid, those needing services can attend virtually or by visiting the location in Fairlawn. In 2022, Stewart’s Caring Place supported 2,600 individuals and families in 36 counties.

Habitat for Humanity of Summit County

Habitat for Humanity of Summit County is a nonprofit, ecumenical organization that builds and repairs homes in partnership with qualified families. It is dedicated to making simple, decent and affordable  housing available in our community for low-income families in need. In Summit County, Habitat has already built more than 225 homes and housed more than 375 adults and nearly 600 children in just over 35 years.

International Institute of Akron

The International Institute creates and implements programs that assist the foreign-born in integrating into the Greater Akron community. It also promotes the value of diversity and international communication. Programs include ESL and citizen classes, translation and placement of new refugees.

Asian Services in Action (ASIA)

Asian Services in Action (ASIA) strives to serve, support, and advocate for Asian Americans and Pacifi c Islanders (AAPIs), and immigrants and refugees, so they prosper and fl ourish. They provide wraparound health and social services in Northeast Ohio in multiple languages, including after-school programs, fi nancial education, primary healthcare, and more.

OPEN M

OPEN M is a Christian nonprofi t organization that serves more than 50,000 individuals annually with food, health and employment services—all intended to create pathways out of poverty. Located in the Summit Lake neighborhood of Akron, OPEN M leverages a community alliance of churches, businesses and more than 2,000 volunteers to over programs to those in need residing in the Greater Akron Area and Summit County.
Jewish Family Services of Akron
JFS of Akron enhances the mental, emotional and social well-being of individuals ages 45 and older and their families through counseling, care management and education consistent with Jewish values; however, JFS serves both the Jewish and non-Jewish community. No one is denied services based on their inability to pay.
Akron-Canton RegionalFoodbank
The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is the source of emergency food for 600 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other hunger-relief programs that directly serve people facing hunger. In 2022, the Foodbank and its network of partners helped provide access to 23.3 million meals for families in Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties.
County DD Boards
The four developmental disability boards of Summit, Portage, Medina and Stark counties provide services to thousands of people with disabilities and their families. Although services vary with each board, all four provide lifespan support to help people with disabilities work, live and learn as equal citizens. From early interventions with young children to daycare for older adults, the boards oversee coordinated, reliable care. For families, the boards provide guidance. For employers, they offer solutions to staffing issues. For the entire community, they offer a way to live a richer, more inclusive life.
United Disability Services(UDS)
For more than 70 years, UDS has been serving individuals with all types of disabilities—from mild to severe. Its sports program (sanctioned by the Special Olympics) Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is competitive and integrated. It loans developmental toys and off ers resource material. The Taste Buds division is a catering service that off ers boxed lunches while providing employment for the disabled. UDS off ers local employers ways to reach their production goals.
Hattie Larlham
Since 1961, Hattie Larlham, an independent nonprofi t, has been off ering medical, residential, recreational and work training services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides 24/7 services to children and young adults at its center in Portage County and to adults in communitybased homes throughout Ohio.
Pegasus Farm
This farm in Hartville is dedicated to the idea that equine-assisted activities provide exceptional physical and psychological benefi ts. Each year, it serves more than 500 people from eight counties—primarily children— who face emotional, behavioral, cognitive, developmental or physical challenges or a combination. It is certifi ed as a Premier Center by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.
Gigi’s Playhouse
Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Canton is one of 46 locations of a Chicago-based nonprofi t designed to increase positive awareness of Down’s. It provides a place for parents and caregivers to network and share ideas.