|
GCEF mourns the loss of Russ Pry
In July, we lost a friend and advocate when Summit County Executive Russ Pry passed away. During his years in Akron, Russ worked to unite people of all backgrounds, colors and sexual orientations. He also worked tirelessly to bring the Gay Games to Akron. Thank you, Russ, for fighting for equal rights for all people and for seeing the good in everyone. You may have left us, but we will continue to keep your legacy alive.
Read GCEF Chair Cindy Christman's tribute to Russ Pry.
|
|
Events
Save the date for Sugar Plum
Mark your calendar for the
15th annual Sugar Plum Tour
, which will take place Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1-5 p.m., followed by the private Patron Party at 5:30 p.m. This year's tour features five exquisitely decorated homes, plus an exclusive sixth home for Patron ticketholders. Sponsorships for the Sugar Plum Tour range from $500 to $5,000 and include tickets to the Patron Party, among many other benefits. To learn more, contact
Steve Williams
.
Sugar Plum online auction
The 2016 tour will feature another exciting online auction beginning at noon on Nov. 7 and ending at noon on Nov. 14. The auction will have a wide variety of items in all price ranges, including vacation packages, restaurant and entertainment gift certificates, a Goodyear Blimp ride, several Don Drumm pieces, pampering at The Spa at Yellow Creek, a private airplane ride, and much more. Stay tuned for more details.
|
|
Board News
GCEF welcomes new board member
The Gay Community Endowment Fund recently welcomed Doug Kohl to the board. Doug is a senior consultant with Lighthouse Counsel, where he assists nonprofit organizations with strategic planning. He previously served as CEO of the Akron Area YMCA. Doug is active in the local arts community and regularly volunteers with Weathervane Community Playhouse, among many other nonprofits. Doug and his wife, Kathy, live in Akron.
Thank you also to Peter Schofield, a member of GCEF's original founding board, who resigned as an emeritus member of the board to pursue retirement. He will be missed.
|
|
Grant News
Grant applications due Sept. 15
The Gay Community Endowment Fund is accepting grant applications for programs that positively impact local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents, as well as Greater Akron as a whole. Qualified nonprofits can submit operational, programmatic and capital requests through Thursday, Sept. 15. Last year, grants provided diversity training for people who work with LGBT youth in foster care and supported programs for LGBT senior citizens, among many other projects.
|
|
Donate Now
Support GCEF with your donations
Please help support the initiatives of GCEF. See more Ways To Give
below.
Make your gift last forever
Giving to the Gay Community Endowment Fund through your will or trust is a simple and tax-friendly way to support LGBT programs in Greater Akron now and forever. Learn more about
all of your planned giving options
or get sample bequest language by downloading our
free guide
.
|
|
The Gay Community Endowment Fund is a permanent philanthropic fund of Akron Community Foundation. To date, it has reinvested nearly $400,000 to organizations and programs in the Greater Akron area 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 approximately $1 million through gifts, fundraising and bequests. The earned income from this balance is distributed through annual grantmaking.
|
|
|
|
|
