Building a community for the future — that’s the purpose of the Green Community Foundation, an initiative that will launch in 2023.
A community foundation is a publicly supported nonprofit organization that aims to build permanent, named funds for other entities and projects within a specific geographical area.
“The bigger purpose is that you can build a foundation and an endowment, and that’s how you provide grants back to your community,” says Valerie Wolford, the city’s communications manager. “Communities that are thriving and growing have community foundations because they fulfill the needs that a government or single organization can’t.”
The city realized the need for a community foundation during the pandemic, when people wanted to donate to those in need but didn’t know how.
“The pandemic exposed this hole that we weren’t able to fill the needs of those suffering from some of these unforeseen issues that arise,” Wolford says. “Community foundations fill these holes.”
To create the Green Community Foundation, a group of community members will work with the Akron Community Foundation. Money will go into the Green Community Foundation fund, but management of those funds will be handled by the
Akron Community Foundation.
“They assist with grant making, set everything up and make it really seamless,” Wolford says. “A community foundation is really about leaving a legacy, and the residents of Green are taking steps to pay it forward for the future of Green. That’s really the intent.”
Get Involved
Civic-minded, committed individuals who are willing to help with this philanthropic endeavor should reach out to Margaret Medzie, vice president and chief development officer for the Akron Community Foundation, at 330-436-5610 or mmedzie@akroncf.org.
