Small grants, big difference: Millennium Fund for Children accepting grant proposals

Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
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The Millennium Fund for Children is accepting grant applications from nonprofit groups that improve the lives of local youths.

Established at the end of 1999, the fund is a permanent endowment created through a partnership between Akron Community Foundation and the Akron Beacon Journal. Its goal is to use small grants to make a big difference.

Each year, a selection committee composed of fund donors recommends grants for children’s programs throughout the Beacon Journal coverage area, which includes Summit, Portage, Medina, Stark, Wayne and Cuyahoga counties.

Last year, the Millennium Fund awarded 24 grants totaling $40,300 to support arts, education and health programs for local children. According to the Akron Community Foundation, recent grants have provided school supplies and nutritious meals for Akron Public Schools students, supported crisis intervention programs for children living in shelters and purchased winter coats for children who have been abused or neglected.

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Grant requests should be submitted online by Sept. 1. A link to the application is available at www.akroncf.org/ApplyMillennium. Questions about the online application process should be directed to John Garofalo, vice president of community investment, at 330-436-5624 or jgarofalo@akroncf.org.

Businesses can commit to supporting local children by becoming a corporate sponsor of the Millennium Fund. Sponsorships are tax deductible and include special recognition on the fund’s donation coupon and other materials circulated throughout the Beacon Journal’s six-county distribution area.

To learn more about becoming a sponsor, contact Deb Hoffman at 330-436-5614 or dhoffman@akroncf.org. Sponsorships must be received by Nov. 1 to be included in promotional materials.

Since its establishment, the Millennium Fund has grown to nearly $1.2 million and awarded almost $900,000 in grants. Last year, contributions totaling more than $45,000 from nearly 200 donors added to the fund. For more information or to contribute to the Millennium Fund for Children, visit www.akroncf.org/Millennium or call 330-376-8522.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Millennium Fund for Children accepting grant proposals through Sept. 1