Winter 2014

Sugar Plum Boasts Record Crowd

The 12th annual Sugar Plum Tour took place on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, with a record 1,000 participants touring the five beautifully decorated homes. Antique ornaments, collectible sets, contemporary designs, and lights and trees galore greeted tourgoers as they entered each residence.

Those who purchased patron tickets were treated to magnificent views of downtown Akron as they toured open lofts at Northside Lofts and enjoyed delicious food and beverages at D.B.A. Upon leaving the party, guests were given Krispy Kreme donuts and a limited-edition holiday ornament designed by local artist Claudia Zeber-Martell. The tour raised approximately $73,000 for the Gay Community Endowment Fund and will support the fund's sponsorship of Gay Games 9, which is coming to Northeast Ohio this August.

Thank you to Debbie Zarconi and Tia Stathopoulos for their dedication and hard work to make this year's Sugar Plum tour a success. Thanks also to our homeowners, volunteers, patrons and participants who braved the rain and cold weather to see the homes and support the fund.

Donor Spotlight

Thanks a million

Thanks to Daniel (Ben) Dietrich for donating the fund's millionth dollar! Ben, a Medina resident and decade-long GCEF donor, has supported the fund monthly for the past few years. Did you know you can make recurring gifts via credit card or payroll deducation? It's easy. Visit www.akroncf.org/give/GCEF or call Dennis Jansky at 330-436-5623. Thanks a million to Ben and all our GCEF supporters on helping us reach this milestone.

Read how two donors paved the way for nearly $250,000 in grants and more than $950,000 in charitable assets for greater Akron's LGBT community.

Grantee Spotlight

2013 GCEF Grant Recipients

The Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded grants totaling $66,200 to nine greater Akron nonprofit organizations, including the first portion of a $100,000 commitment to Gay Games 9.

Upcoming Events

Gay Games 9 Update

The Gay Games are getting closer, but there's still plenty of time to get involved. GG9 has added new events, including rock climbing and bouldering competitions in Summit County, and is offering the 10K and 5K at no additional cost when you register for the marathon or half marathon being held in Akron. You can also sign up to be a volunteer. Just make the commitment now and choose your times, dates and venues closer to the games. Groups can also volunteer together. More information is available at www.gg9cle.com.

Other Dates to Remember

Feb. 4, 2014

Tuesday Musical presents American pianist Jeremy Denk, one of Out
Magazine's Out100 this year

Donate Now

Support GCEF With Your Donations

Please help support the initiatives of GCEF. See more Ways To Give below.

Contribute now to the Gay Community Endowment Fund

Contribute now to the new GCEF Scholarship Fund

For more information on giving, contact us at [email protected].

Building a Better Future. That's Our Mission.

The Gay Community Endowment Fund is a permanent philanthropic fund of Akron Community Foundation. To date, it has reinvested nearly $250,000 to organizations and programs in the greater Akron area that that support or positively impact the LGBT community and serve as a catalyst for full participation of LGBT people in our society. The fund promotes philanthropy within the LGBT and allied communities. Since 2001, the fund has grown to more than $900,000 through gifts, fundraising and bequests. The earned income from this balance is distributed through annual grant-making.

345 W. Cedar St - Akron, OH 44307 - 330.376.8522 - www.akroncf.org