Akron, Ohio News Release...

City of Akron and Akron Community Foundation
Award $153,815 in Neighborhood Grants

The City of Akron and the Akron Community Foundation have announced the awarding of $153,815 in neighborhood grants as part of the Neighborhood Partnership Program.. Thirty organizations were selected for funding out of the 36 that applied. The grants will allow them to clean up vacant neighborhood lots, provide tutoring and after school programs for children, and make playground renovations.

The City of Akron Department of Planning and Urban Development and the Akron Community Foundation formed a partnership in 1999. This partnership allowed for the increase of the grant amount from $5,000 to $7,500 and for the funding of more organizations. Neighborhood organizations are matching the Neighborhood Partnership Program grants with in-kind volunteer services and cash contributions.

Mayor Don Plusquellic said, "Neighborhoods have responded tremendously to this program.. It allows residents to make their own decisions about what the needs in their neighborhoods are and to implement the necessary programs."

Jody Bacon, executive director of the Akron Community Foundation ,said, "Akron Community Foundation is very pleased to join with the City of Akron in the 1999 Neighborhood Partnership Program. The impact that the Partnership's grants make will be seen in safer neighborhoods, revitalized green spaces, and an improved quality of life for residents throughout the city. Grants like these are an important part of ACF's commitment to greater Akron communities."

The Akron Community Foundation is a $77 million philanthropic endowment supported by charitable gifts and bequests from the community to improve the quality of life in the greater Akron area. Since 1955, the Foundation and its affiliate funds have distributed more than $20 million in grants to qualified non-profit organizations in Summit County.

The grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The planning department and the Foundation jointly review the applications to determine if the projects are eligible and meet the criteria of the Neighborhood Partnership Program.. While reviewing applications, the planning department and the Community Foundation look for neighborhood involvement and a neighborhood benefit, the primary focus of the Neighborhood Partnership Program., before awarding the grants.

This year, the program will fund projects such as the Children's Theme Garden on First Street near Summit Lake, the Gale Street Beautification Project on the corner of Exchange and Gale streets, the Southwest Council of Block Clubs cleanup of six vacant lots, and a number of tutoring and other after-school enrichment programs for children.

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