The Gay Community Endowment Fund is currently accepting 2010 grant applications for both new and existing programs that will positively impact local GLBT communities and greater Akron as a whole.

To be considered for a grant, return 12 copies of the completed application to Akron Community Foundation by Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010.

Gay Community Endowment Fund reaches $100,000 grant-making milestone in 2009

The Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation is celebrating $100,000 in grants awarded to the greater Akron area. The fund recently awarded $29,268 to eight greater Akron nonprofit organizations, bringing its cumulative grant-making total to $101,242.

This latest round of grants was ratified by the Akron Community Foundation board on Friday, Nov. 20, at its quarterly meeting. “We’re excited to announce this year’s grants, which together target every key interest area of the Gay Community Endowment Fund, including arts and culture, GLBT youth, health, education, and social service issues,” said GCEF Chairman Christopher Hixson.

Every year since awarding its first grants in 2005, the fund has invested in local nonprofit initiatives that promote the well-being and full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens in the greater Akron area.

Battered Women’s Shelter 2009	Amount: $ 4,400
For Reach OUT 2010, which seeks to improve services to GLBT victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc. 2009	Amount: $ 4,300
For the “Speak Up Speak Out” youth advocacy unit, which trains advocates for abused and neglected GLBT youth in the juvenile court system.

Child Guidance & Family Solutions Inc. 2009	Amount: $ 2,000
For a community education project that aims to increase awareness of the consequences of intolerance in the GLBT population.

Community AIDS Network 2009	Amount: $ 5,000
To help facilitate the merger of Akron Pride Center with CAN.

Fusion Magazine 2009	Amount: $ 1,500
To support the magazine, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations.

University of Akron, Women’s Studies Department 2009	Amount: $ 3,000
For the LGBTQ: Inclusion, Advocacy and Empowerment project, a year-long series of programs at the University of Akron.

Violet’s Cupboard Inc. 2009	Amount: $ 5,568
To provide peer advocates for people who have recently been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc. 2009	Amount: $ 3,500
For the production of “The Sum of Us,” a play about the relationship between a widower and his gay son.

Akron Area Pride Collective 2008	Amount: $ 10,000
For the Building Pride Capital Campaign for the new Akron Pride Center in Firestone Park

Akron Pride Area Collective 2008	Amount: $ 2,000
For publication of the festival program for the 2008 Out in Akron Festival.

Akron Art Museum 2008	Amount: $ 5,000
For “Isaac Julien: True North" an exhibition of work by the British gay artist.

Akron PFLAG 2008	Amount: $ 2,000
For the Bruce G. Kriete Speaker Series.

Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron 2008	Amount: $ 2,534
To purchase GLBT library materials for the Adolescent Health Center.

Community AIDS Network 2008	Amount: $ 6,460
For an ad campaign to promote HIV testing among at-risk youth.

Equality Ohio Education Fund 2008	Amount: $ 2,000
To support the Akron-area Safe Places, Safe Spaces Program for direct care providers.

First Grace United Church of Christ	Amount: $ 1,500
For the StandOUT: Open Door After School Program for GLBT youth and teens.

Fusion Magazine 2008	Amount: $ 1,500
To help publish the magazine, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations.

Akron AIDS Collaborative 2007	Amount: $ 7,500
For the Ujima Safe House Project.

Akron Area Pride Center 2007	Amount: $ 2,500
To publish and increase distribution of its monthly newsletter.

Fusion Magazine 2007	Amount: $ 2000
To produce and expand circulation of the magazine, which strives to unify people of different backgrounds and orientations.

Rape Crisis Center 2007	Amount: $ 8,500
For the Reach OUT Initiative pilot program to support GLBT communities.

University of Akron Foundation 2007	Amount: $ 2,500
To fund the seminar “Understanding and Strengthening GLBT Couples Relationships: What are the Struggles and What Can Help".

Uof Akron, Archives of American Psychology 2007	Amount: $ 1000
For the conference “Psychological Perspectives on GLBT Persons".

Fusion Magazine 2006	Amount: $ 2,000
For operating support and expanded circulation of Kent State University’s award-winning student published magazine. Fusion provides insightful journalism about GLBT issues.

Portage Path Community Mental Health Center 2006	Amount: $ 1,680
To fully fund “GLBT Pride For Life”, a new eight-week support and education program focusing on mental and physical health related issues of the GLBT community.

Battered Women's Shelter 2005	Amount: $ 4,000
In collaboration with Greenleaf Family Services, for the Summit Anti-Violence Initiative Program, a domestic violence program specific to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population.

Violet's Cupboard 2006	Amount: $ 2,000
In collaboration with Community AIDS Network, to expand HIV counseling and testing services to partners of HIV positive individuals as well as testing to the general community.

University of Akron Foundation 2005	Amount: $ 2,000
For "Queer Women Make History, Too". A series of presentations, including a concert by Holly Near, focusing on issues impacting the LGBT community

Weathervane Community Playhouse 2005	Amount: $ 1,000
For the production of "Angels in America: Perestroika," a play portraying the human devastation caused by AIDS