In the world of grantmaking, not all organizations begin their journeys from the same starting line. Some have early access to funding, connections, and professional networks that allow them to grow quickly, demonstrate impact, and attract even more resources. Others, despite having promising ideas and strong leadership, face a longer and more difficult path to establishing their reputation and building capacity.
Over the past few years, GAR Foundation has taken a closer look at how we can better support organizations that may be under-resourced but have strong potential to grow and contribute meaningfully to the community. As part of this effort, we examined our grant portfolio and reflected on the kinds of organizations we’ve historically supported — and where there may be opportunities to shift.
We recognized the need to invest more purposefully in promising organizations that are still building their foundation. Out of that realization, the GAR Leaders Cohort was created.
The cohort is a pilot effort focused on four Akron-based organizations that are led by thoughtful, community-focused leaders. Through this initiative, GAR Foundation is providing three kinds of support:
- Professional consulting to help strengthen internal operations and prepare for long-term growth
- Peer learning and leadership development, offering a supportive space for reflection and collaboration
- Flexible funding, allowing each organization to decide how to best use the dollars to advance their goals
The current GAR Leaders Cohort includes:
- Love Akron, led by Kemp Boyd
- Harmony House, led by Karla McDay
- The Collective, led by Dominic Moore-Dunson
- L.I.N.K.S. Community and Family Services, led by Yolanda Parker
These leaders and their organizations are making Akron stronger through their unique missions, their creativity, and their deep commitment to community. We believe in the power of investing early, consistently, and intentionally in leaders who are doing meaningful work — and we hope this pilot is just the beginning.
We invite you to follow along and learn with us as we continue to explore ways to be more thoughtful and responsive in our funding.