Capital Grants (Akron Community Foundation)

Capital Grants (Akron Community Foundation) is sponsored by Akron Community Foundation. This program offers grants to nonprofits for capital improvements, including renovating or repairing buildings or property, or purchasing essential equipment. Priority is given to projects that address safety issues, serve communities of color, incorporate green building practices, and show community involvement.

ADA accessibility improvements would be a strong fit.

Capital Grants - Akron Community Foundation Equipping nonprofits to operate, grow and thrive In 2018, Akron Community Foundation announced the creation of a new grant cycle devoted to capital improvements.

The community foundation offers grants every other year to nonprofits that need funding to renovate or repair their buildings or property, or to purchase equipment essential to the organization's ability to deliver quality programming to its clients.

Capital grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are available to current recipients of the foundation's competitive grant cycles, as well as to organizations with agency endowment funds at Akron Community Foundation.

Priority is given to projects that reinforce the foundation's strategic priorities in arts and culture, civic affairs, health and human services, education, and priorities identified through our recent Community Needs Assessment .

Other funding priorities include: Projects that address safety issues for organization staff or individuals served Projects that serve individuals and communities of color who have faced historic inequalities and lack of access to funding Projects that incorporate green building and sustainable development practices Projects with evidence of community involvement in setting project priorities Since 2018, Akron Community Foundation has invested $880,000 into capital improvements for our community's nonprofit organizations.

Applications for the next round of capital grants will be accepted beginning May 1, 2026 and must be submitted by June 1, 2026. Awards will be announced in late September 2026. Capital grants are limited to construction, expansion, upgrades or renovations.

It is strongly recommended that at least 50% of the funds needed for the project are secured before applying. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with capital projects that benefit Summit County residents are qualified to apply. To learn more, contact Brian Reitz or Mariana Silva .

In 2024, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $330,000 to 32 nonprofit organizations: ACCESS Inc. , to support the final phase of roof repair at ACCESS Shelter, $25,000 Akron AIDS Collaborative , to support renovations at the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ Resource Center, including electrical and plumbing improvements, to allow for an operational laundry room and shower facility, and a food warming center, $20,000 Akron Art Museum , to support the creation of the Center for Digital Discovery at the museum, which includes digital gallery space, dedicated classroom and educational space, and immersive artist-created spaces for all ages, $15,000 Akron Civic Theatre , to replace a lighting control console in the main auditorium, $15,000 Ballet Excel Ohio , to replace the traveling dance floor for free community youth ballet performances, $5,000 Boy Scouts of America, Great Trail Council , to support the purchase of ceiling and exhaust fans to aid in the preservation of Camp Manatoc's historic dining hall, $5,000 Building for Tomorrow , to support a science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lab for children at the Reach Opportunity Center in the Summit Lake neighborhood, $10,000 Caring for Kids , to support renovations to counseling and waiting rooms, among other improvements, for the foster care and adoption mental health facility at a new location, $7,500 Carve Your Own Path , for improvements for its trauma-informed wellness programming, such as chairs to accommodate individuals with mobility limitations, an accessible printer, and an AV cart for multimedia presentations, $3,000 CASA Board Volunteer Association , to purchase new laptops for the CASA/GAL team, $10,000 CHC Addiction Services , to support renovations to the Touchstone facility, $12,000 Child Guidance & Family Solutions , to support safety enhancements at the central office, including security cameras, emergency lights and signage, $10,000 Citizens Akron Church , to support The Vincent House dance studio, including flooring, mirrors and lighting, $9,000 First Congregational Church of Hudson , to build ADA-compliant bathrooms and renovate community use spaces at 915 N.

Main St.

in North Hill, $10,000 First Tee - Greater Akron , to improve the driving range space used for golf-based youth development programming, $10,000 Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve , to support stabilization and restoration of Garfield Hall, including floors, windows, electrical work and roof, among other items, $5,000 Greenleaf Family Center , to enhance security and safety for mental health providers and clients, including electronic locks, card readers and a video doorbell $7,500 H.

M.

Life Opportunity Services , for renovation of the agency's Treeside drive property, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation and drywall, to provide permanent supportive housing for families who are homeless, $10,000 Humane Society of Summit County , to support the construction of a new, purposefully designed shelter/adoption center to serve Summit County's rescued animals and pet owners, $15,000 Jewish Community Center of Akron , to renovate the community pool's outdoor bathhouse to make it ADA compliant and to add a gender-neutral/family bathroom and changing room, $10,000 North Coast Community Homes , to upgrade its Summit County homes with keyless entry systems, $5,000 North Hill Community House , for food pantry and facility improvements, including electrical and plumbing upgrades and insulation, $10,000 Red Oak Behavioral Health , for the transformation of its outpatient center, including masonry work, new entrances, electrical and roofing, $25,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio , for enhancements at the Ronald McDonald House of Akron, including renovations to the kitchen and laundry area, $5,000 Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens , to support the Heritage & Hospitality Project, which includes a new outdoor concession stand for visitors, $10,000 Stewart's Caring Place , to improve physical accessibility at the cancer wellness center, including automatic doors and a concrete ramp for the entrance, $7,500 Summit Artspace , for improvements to artist-centered public facilities, including renovation of gallery space, HVAC, ceilings, lighting, electrical systems, and door replacement/safety access, $22,500 Summit Choral Society Inc. , to support the implementation of a digital learning platform for youth education, using electronic tablets and digital sheet music, $7,000 Tri-County Jobs for Ohio's Graduates , to support restroom renovations for ADA compliance and efficiency, $10,000 Urban Ounce of Prevention Behavioral Health Services Inc. , to support access to services for members in the community with mobility issues through the installation of a stairway chair lift, $5,000 Victory Gallop Inc. , to replace two natural gas heaters for the horse barns, $4,000 Weathervane Community Playhouse , to update the main entrance and increase accessibility for all patrons and participants, $5,000 In 2022, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $300,000 to 41 nonprofit organizations: Akron Blind Center , for safety and wellness improvements to the building and property, including driveway leveling, roof repair and the installation of audible emergency evacuation equipment, $5,000 Akron Children's Museum , to support phase two of the Capital Expansion Campaign, $10,000 Akron Marathon , for safety, security, and technology updates, $5,000 Akron Parks Collaborative , to support the creation and installation of the Firestone Park splash pad, $5,000 Akron Urban League , to support the creation of learning and meeting spaces, $5,000 Asian Services In Action , to support culturally and linguistically appropriate dental health services among Akron's immigrant and refugee population, $7,500 AxessPointe Community Health Centers , to support the creation of a new health center in West Akron, $7,500 Battered Women's Shelter , for enhanced safety and security of its building, $5,000 The Blick Center , for an accessible redesign of the building's entryway, $5,000 Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry , to support a three-year capital equipment improvements program, $10,000 Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture (CATAC) , for investment in equipment upgrades that improve community outreach, experience and accessibility, $5,000 CORE Furniture Bank , to support the purchase of a medium duty box truck, $5,000 Crown Point Ecology Center , for the purchase of a tractor, essential for growing field food crops and maintaining a prairie habitat, $5,000 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad , to support improved ADA accessibility for passengers with mobility limitations, $5,000 Family Promise of Summit County , to renovate one of Survive to Thrive's first homes, $7,500 Freedom House for Women , for New Journey Recovery Housing basement waterproofing, $7,500 Girl Scouts of North East Ohio , for the construction of state-of-the-art STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Ledgewood, which will provide hands-on learning for students during day and overnight programs, $7,500 Grace House Akron , to support the completion of construction on Grace House, $10,000 Habitat for Humanity of Summit County , for a garage addition that will ensure ample space for vehicles and equipment, $7,500 Harmony House , for construction of an emergency youth shelter, $7,500 Keep Akron Beautiful , to replace a dump truck that will support the removal of litter in Akron, $5,000 Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance , to create an office and small business resource space for Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance at 1028 Kenmore Boulevard, $10,000 Let's Grow Akron Inc. , for a walk-in cooler and outdoor kitchen area that will allow the storage of produce before transporting to local food pantries, farmer's markets and community meals, $7,500 The Nightlight Cinema , to support the expansion of the cinema in downtown Akron, $10,000 none too fragile , to improve the safety and handicap accessibility of the theatre, $7,500 North Hill Community Development Corporation , to support upgrades to People's Park, including concrete repairs, lighting upgrades and deck renovations, $5,000 Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition , to support the Akron Civic Commons 2.

0 Summit Lake Park Project, which will provide accessible, equitable and welcoming parks, trails and open spaces along the towpath, $7,500 OPEN M , to support critical safety enhancements at the organization's office and warehouse facility, $10,000 The Peninsula Foundation , to support an ADA accessible addition to G. A. R.

Hall, including a pre-event space and two accessible restrooms, $10,000 Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio , to purchase more inclusive, extended weight exam tables and chairs, and other essential medical equipment at the Akron health center, $10,000 Regina Health Center , to support the creation of a safe outdoor gathering space for senior residents to enjoy family visits, spiritual and educational programming and enrichment programs, $7,500 The Salvation Army of Summit County , to replace buses for the Learning Zone preschool, enabling the organization to provide safe transportation of students, $10,000 Shelter Care Inc. , for creation of a multipurpose room that will be used for family and group counseling sessions, psycho-educational group activities, team meetings and trainings, $10,000 South Street Ministries , for the renovation of Restoration House, which will offer emergency and transitional reentry housing for women, $10,000 SWAG , for the purchase of a replacement van, which provides transportation to students during the academic year and summer programming, $5,000 Truly Reaching You , for phase 2 and 3 renovations to South Street warehouse, an employment training/workforce education hub, $15,000 Twinsburg Historical Society , to maintain the integrity of the museum and adjacent parking lot, $2,500 Urban Vision , to support installation of new and updated HVAC systems throughout the facility, $7,500 Victim Assistance Program , to upgrade outdated technology for victim advocates, $7,500 The Well CDC , for walk-in cold storage at the Akron Food Works kitchen that will serve current members, attract new members and provide additional options for product distribution, $5,000 YEPAW , to restore drumline, photography and computer equipment, $5,000 In 2018, Akron Community Foundation awarded capital grants totaling $250,000 to 27 nonprofit organizations: Akron Civic Theatre , to support the capital campaign to renovate the theater and create an additional performance venue, $25,000 Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation , for a permanent office facility and warehouse, $7,600 Akron SCORE , to purchase new conference room equipment and computers, $3,600 Asian Services in Action , to renovate a new community room that will host language and citizenship classes and other large group gatherings, $20,000 The Blick Center , to improve accessibility to the building by widening and automating the doors in the main entryway and restroom, $5,000 Bounce Innovation Hub , to support first-floor renovations for The Generator, a public innovation hub that will feature coworking space, a makerspace and the University of Akron's eSports lab, $15,000 Broken Chains Jail & Prison Ministry , to purchase kitchen equipment for the Urbean Cafe, a workforce development program for formerly incarcerated residents, $5,000 CASA Board Volunteer Association , to create a respite space for child advocate volunteers, $5,500 Crown Point Ecology Center , to support greenhouse renovations and the creation of a new honey extraction facility for local beekeepers, $5,000 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad , to convert a train car into an "Edu-Trainment Car" that will host interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and educational programs for area children, $10,000 East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation , to construct a new storage facility, $10,000 Easter Seals of Northeast Ohio , to purchase an adaptive vehicle to transport clients to the Adult Day Center and to create a sensory room for adults with disabilities, $5,000 Family Promise of Summit County , to secure a new transitional housing building for families facing homelessness, $10,000 Freedom House for Women , for external building improvements to the New Journey Recovery Housing for women, $6,200 Good Neighbors , for internal building improvements, including new refrigeration equipment and energy-efficient lights for the food pantry, $4,600 Habitat for Humanity of Summit County , for improvements to the Romig Road campus, including loading dock repairs and parking lot resurfacing, $10,000 H.

M.

Life Opportunity Services , for roof replacements at two supportive housing locations, $10,000 Legacy III , to renovate the agency's new administrative building, including electrical and plumbing upgrades and roof repairs, $10,000 OPEN M , for food pantry improvements, including energy-efficient lighting and new doors and flooring for the walk-in freezer and cooler, $5,000 Portage Path Behavioral Health , for repairs to the Akron outpatient clinic, including masonry work, weather sealing and painting, $5,000 Stark State College , for the construction of a commercial driver's license training facility, $20,000 Summit County Historical Society , to improve accessibility at the John Brown House for people with disabilities, $10,000 Summit Metro Parks Foundation , to convert a historic barn into a welcome center at the new Valley View park, $10,000 Truly Reaching You , to renovate the agency's new employment training facility on East South Street, $12,500 VANTAGE Aging , for capital improvements to the behavioral health center on Romig Road, $10,000 Victim Assistance Program , for construction and relocation costs to combine the agency's service providers and administrative staff under one roof, $7,500 Weathervane Community Playhouse , to replace wireless microphones for theatrical productions, $2,500 Vice President, Community Investment Contact us for more information about applying for a grant.