Summer 2023
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Women's Endowment Fund, creating a special opportunity to reflect on our past, celebrate the present and set a vision for the future. Several themes stand out to describe our journey here and to guide our journey forward: values, impact, growth and sustainability. Over the last three decades, the Women's Endowment Fund has grown from $106,000 to nearly $4.4 million, granting more than $2 million to almost 100 local organizations that positively impact women and girls, creating a better community for us all.
An employee with cleaning supplies prepares to clean a room at the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center.
The Women's Endowment Fund recently approved $175,000 in grants to 31 nonprofit organizations, bringing the fund's cumulative grantmaking total to more than $2 million.

Among this year's recipients were the Battered Women's Shelter and Rape Crisis Center, which received $10,000 grants to provide protective shelter services and 24-hour crisis intervention services for women and girls who have experienced domestic or sexual violence.

"The support from the Women's Endowment Fund allows us to continue providing free comprehensive trauma-informed care services to survivors," said Teresa Stafford, CEO of the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, home to the Battered Women's Shelter and Rape Crisis Center.
After three years of virtual and hybrid events, we were so happy to gather to celebrate 30 years of the Women's Endowment Fund. While creating a timeline of the fund's milestones over the past 30 years, the board concluded that preserving the present through photographs for future leaders is imperative.

As a dedicated supporter of the fund, we're giving you access to view the more than 400 photos from this unforgettable night. Please enjoy some highlights of the evening through these photos.

Also, if you missed the timeline exhibit during the event or would like to read more details about the milestones featured there, please visit our digital timeline. This resource will remain available on our website as a permanent reminder of how the fund began and where we're going, far into the future.
This year’s SHEro Campaign has officially concluded! We are excited to report that 483 donors collectively gave $46,750 as of June 12, 2023.

Every donor and ambassador to this year's campaign helped the Women’s Endowment Fund share our mission with the Greater Akron community. Proceeds from the campaign support our grantmaking initiatives and will benefit the lives of women and girls in Summit County for years to come.
The Women's Endowment Fund's Forum: Women, Work & Wealth Creation
The Women's Endowment Fund is hosting its biennial Forum on Women & Girls on Friday, Sept. 15. This year, industry experts will discuss collaborative solutions for the economic empowerment of women post-pandemic.

Team NEO will present highlights from its Lost Opportunities report, and ConxusNEO will present highlights from its Where are the Workers report. The forum will conclude with circle dialogues facilitated by Project Ujima, a past grant recipient.

You will receive a detailed report of key information gathered during the forum. Outcomes from this year's event will help direct the fund's future grantmaking efforts.

This is an invitation-only event. If you know of an individual who should be included in this targeted forum, please contact Malia Rivera at mrivera@akroncf.org or 330-436-5649.
Join Our Giving Circle
In 2018, the Women’s Endowment Fund created the Circle of Empowerment to maintain continued sustainability of the fund and increase its grantmaking impact each year. The Circle of Empowerment is a special group of donors who support the Women’s Endowment Fund with an annual leadership gift of $1,000 or more. In 2022, the fund introduced a four-tier model for the Circle of Empowerment: Empower - $10,000, Uplift - $5,000, Inspire - $2,500, and Support - $1,000.


  • Special recognition at our events, including being listed in all event programs and marketing-related materials
  • Advance First-to-Know communications about our fund’s latest news
  • An invitation to our annual Circle of Empowerment gathering
  • The knowledge that their gifts uplift women and girls in our community now and forever
Thank you to the generous donors who contributed to the Women's Endowment Fund from Oct. 1, 2022, to June 22, 2023. Your gifts will uplift and empower women and girls in our community for many years to come.
From cash to mutual funds and retirement assets to real estate, there are many ways to give to the Women's Endowment Fund.
Follow Us on Social Media
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to see the latest updates about our fund. It's the best way to stay up-to-date on our giving campaigns and find out about how your donations support women and girls in the community.