Fall 2020
This year's winners include a nursing student who works as a medical interpreter for LGBTQ+ patients, a sophomore leading Akron Pride's green initiatives, a trans student who is combining her passion for neuroscience and the LGBTQ+ community, and an aspiring voice actor who is using their voice to advocate for change.
A recent impact grant to Akron Children's Hospital is expanding social work services at its Center for Gender Affirming Medicine. The center provides comprehensive care for people like Florence, a transgender student at the University of Cincinnati who sought help to begin her medical transition after surviving bone cancer as a teen.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the magic of the Sugar Plum Tour from the comfort of your own home. This year’s tour will take place virtually the weekend of Dec. 5 and 6 and will showcase eight of the area’s finest historic and contemporary homes. Tickets are $25, and all proceeds benefit the Gay Community Endowment Fund.
Congratulations to Phil Montgomery and Rick Krochka for being named Notable LGBTQ Executives by Crain's Cleveland Business. Phil, immediate past chair of GCEF, and Rick, a GCEF co-founder and emeritus board member, were honored for their business, civic and philanthropic achievements.
The CARES Act provides an opportunity to receive a one-time tax deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions to charities like GCEF and increases the deduction limit for cash gifts to 100% of a donor's AGI. Meanwhile, the SECURE Act makes giving retirement assets to charity more appealing.

Explore these resources to learn more:
The Gay Community Endowment Fund is accepting grant proposals for programs that support the local LGBTQ+ community. Nonprofits may apply for either an impact grant or a micro grant. Strong preference will be given to impact grant proposals that create safer environments for LGBTQ+ youth, combat phobias of the LGBTQ+ community, and support mental health and suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ+ people. Grant applications are due online by Dec. 15.
To celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2021, the Gay Community Endowment Fund has launched the Circle of Inclusion. Members of this new giving circle receive special recognition for their role in growing GCEF's endowment. The circle welcomes gifts and pledges of $1,000 or more, and all donations support the fund's mission of advancing a lived equality for LGBTQ+ people in Greater Akron.
Thank you to the generous individuals, families and organizations who contributed to the Gay Community Endowment Fund from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2020. Your gifts will make a positive impact in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in our community for many years to come.
From cash to appreciated stock and retirement assets to real estate, there are many ways to give to the Gay Community Endowment Fund.