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GAR Awards Over $2 Million to Akron-area Nonprofits in August

APS PreK teacher instructs to students
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GAR Foundation awarded over $2 million in grants to Akron-area nonprofit organizations following its August distribution committee meeting. Among this quarter's grantees, GAR is highlighting organizations who are strengthening literacy and creating vibrant community spaces.  

Two companion grants are advancing a priority that is the bedrock of educational success: improved teaching and learning around literacy. A $100,000 grant to the University of Akron’s high-performing Center for Structured Literacy will help to ensure that newly trained teachers and incumbent teachers have the best Science of Reading tools and training to foster literacy in their classrooms. A $40,000 grant to Akron Public Schools will support the district’s growing cadre of educators who are trained in the Science of Reading.

PreK classroom at Akron Public Schools

The Science of Reading is an evidence-based approach that aligns literacy instruction with decades of research on how children learn to read. As Ohio schools continue implementing Science of Reading practices, Akron Public Schools and the University of Akron are working together to ensure educators have access to the training, coaching, and support needed to bring those practices into classrooms effectively.

Established in 2023, the University of Akron Center for Structured Literacy has quickly emerged as a national leader in science-based reading instruction. Led by Dr. Rebecca Tolson, the center provides teacher preparation, professional development, literacy coaching, and research support. Over the next three years, the Center for Structured Literacy aims to train more than 1,000 K-5 teachers across Summit County in structured literacy practices.

"The Center for Structured Literacy was created to ensure educators have access to the knowledge, training, and support needed to help all students become successful readers," said Dr. Rebecca Tolson, Director of the University of Akron Center for Structured Literacy. "This investment will allow us to continue expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships, and building educator capacity throughout Summit County and beyond."

Akron Public Schools will use their funding to create Learning Labs, an embedded professional development model where teachers and school leaders who have been trained at the Center for Structured Literacy will observe model literacy instruction in real classrooms, engage in collaborative discussions, and receive ongoing coaching in structured literacy practices. The goal is not only to strengthen classroom instruction, but also to help principals and other school leaders build a culture of literacy and strong instructional leadership within their buildings.

A teacher works with a student in a classroom

"When we invest in teachers, we invest in every student they will reach throughout their careers," said Christine Amer Mayer, President of GAR Foundation. "What makes this partnership especially powerful is its focus on helping educators learn, practice, and refine effective literacy instruction over time. By combining the expertise of the University of Akron's Center for Structured Literacy with Akron Public Schools' commitment to continuous professional learning, we're helping create the conditions for lasting improvements in reading achievement for children across our community."  

Alongside these investments in education, GAR Foundation provided funding to Curated Storefront, Summit Artspace, and Akron Soul Train, three organizations that demonstrate the diverse ways arts and culture contribute to a strong community. Together, they support artists, activate spaces, foster community connection, and help ensure creativity remains a visible and valued part of life in Akron.

Curated Storefront and Akron Soul Train are both celebrating their 10th anniversaries this year, marking a decade of work that has expanded access to arts and culture in Akron. Curated Storefront has transformed vacant storefronts and underused spaces into public art destinations, while Akron Soul Train has supported artists through residency opportunities and community engagement. Together, their work has created more ways for residents to experience visual art, performances, workshops, and other creative programming throughout the community.

Complementing this work, Summit Artspace serves as a longstanding hub for individual artists in the region providing affordable studio space, galleries, professional development opportunities, and public programs to connect artists with the community. Together, these organizations support artistic excellence while contributing to downtown vitality, community engagement, and the broader cultural and economic health of the region.

2026 Artist Launchpad Cohort at Summit Artspace

"The arts are deeply connected to the health and vitality of a community," said Natalie Grieshammer Patrick, Executive Director of Summit Artspace. "When artists have access to space, resources, and opportunities to develop their work, the benefits extend far beyond the arts. Local artists help build stronger neighborhoods, more vibrant public spaces, lifelong learning opportunities, and a greater sense of connection among residents. Summit Artspace is proud to be part of a network of organizations helping artists build sustainable creative careers while contributing to the economic, cultural, and civic life of Akron."

These highlighted grants represent a portion of GAR Foundation's broader grantmaking efforts this quarter. Together, they illustrate the many ways local organizations are strengthening educational outcomes, fostering creativity and connection, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life throughout the Akron community.

Through investments like these, GAR Foundation reaffirms its mission to make Akron smarter, stronger, and more vibrant by supporting education; economic, workforce and community development; arts and culture; and basic needs across the region.

Among the grants awarded are the following: