Akron Community Foundation has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) calling for impactful project ideas that address critical needs in Summit County in the areas of housing, mental health, and public safety.
Donor Name: Akron Community Foundation
State: Ohio
County: Summit County (OH)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/01/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This round of funding, part of the foundation’s proactive grantmaking strategy, is aimed at collaborative projects that elevate diversity and leverage community resources. This RFP is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a strong history of serving the Summit County community.
The purpose of this initiative is to leverage the power of the community and authentic collaborations to create lasting change. Funding will be considered for both immediate and long-term initiatives that address urgent needs and/or foster innovative solutions for the future.
Proposal Themes
Proposals should show a well-rounded understanding of existing systems/resources and demonstrate how they will leverage community collaboration, diversity, and authentic support systems to address and/or augment solutions for at least one of the following themes, which were generated during a daylong community-wide Appreciative Inquiry Summit:
- Trusted connections: Projects that promote opportunities for the community to build reliable and knowledgeable support systems through accessible and welcoming spaces that prioritize voices with lived experiences and include community members and nontraditional partners. Example: programs that involve community members, individuals with lived experience, and safety forces (fire, police) to promote meaningful neighborhood connections.
- Youth engagement: High-quality, engaging, and tailored youth programs and/or spaces that provide program participants with access to strong mentorship networks out of school hours. Example: collaborative hubs for comprehensive youth development located within walking distance and at familiar community spaces.
- Affordable housing: Programs that help evaluate, create and/or support housing needs, as well as advance dialogue and increase awareness of housing options and renters’ rights. Example: partnerships between groups that can strengthen overall community knowledge of housing options, needs, and rights; projects that address gaps in home safety (i.e., inspections) and accessibility (i.e., landlord incentives for individuals/families transitioning out of homelessness).
- Community stewardship: Educational programs, community events/gatherings, and action plans to strengthen the community’s sense of neighborhood pride, responsibility, and belonging. Example: projects to help increase, cultivate, and/or maintain the sense of community and safety through neighborhood meetings, community gardens, or clean-up days.
Funding Priorities
A community needs assessment and other evaluation methods allowed ACF to hear directly from people who live and work in Summit County, and together, they identified major areas for communitywide improvement. Grant funding will support projects that can make a significant impact in the following areas:
Funding Information
Up to $1 million will be available to support the first two to three years of this initiative, at which point ACF will start the process for another proactive grantmaking round.
- Systems Capacity projects will be eligible for grants up to $50,000
- Up to five (5) applications selected (up to $250,000 distributed)
- Payments are distributed as a single installment.
- Systems Change projects will be eligible for grants up to $150,000
- Up to five (5) applications selected (up to $750,000 distributed)
- Payments will be distributed in two or up to three annual installments. After the initial installment and completion of the first year of programming, a second or third application will be required before the remaining disbursement(s). The second and third applications will assess the progress made and success achieved, and the program’s continued viability and improvement plans.
Eligibility Requirements
- 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations.
- Organizations with a strong history of commitment to the Summit County community.
- Organizations/projects that demonstrate a commitment to equity, transparency, and community engagement.
- Projects must focus on impacting the Summit County community.
For more information, visit ACF.
