The Gay Community Endowment Fund recently announced 18 grants totaling $82,000 to nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life of Greater Akron's LGBTQ+ community. This marks the fund's largest grant cycle in 10 years.

Among this year's recipients is the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center, which received a $20,000 impact grant to provide emergency housing referrals, food and clothing assistance, and mental health services for LGBTQ+ people of color in Summit County.

In April, Dr. Kate Raymond was appointed chair of the Gay Community Endowment Fund. As one of her first official acts, Kate recorded a video message for Transgender Day of Visibility. In the video, Kate shared her hopes for the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ community and allies. Watch the video or read the transcript on our website.

To see more videos like this, follow the Gay Community Endowment Fund on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

This signature event celebrates the Gay Community Endowment Fund’s impact in the community and recognizes our most recent grant and scholarship recipients. Tickets start at $50, and proceeds support scholarships for LGBTQ+ and allied students in Greater Akron.

This year's celebration will feature the unveiling of the fund's new mission and vision statements, as well as remarks from Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Rep. Emilia Sykes. Guests may also purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win prizes donated by a variety of local businesses.

Through April 30, the GCEF Scholarship Fund is accepting applications from LGBTQ+ and allied students who have made a meaningful difference in the LGBTQ+ community. The scholarship is available to students who live or study in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties.

Please consider investing in the next generation of LGBTQ+ students and allies by making a gift to support future scholarships.

In 2023, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded $10,500 in scholarships to seven students who have positively impacted the LGBTQ+ community. In total, the GCEF Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $50,000 to help local students achieve their higher education goals. In this edition of the newsletter, we're highlighting three extraordinary scholarship recipients whose advocacy work is making a difference both on and off campus.

Thank you to the generous individuals, families and organizations who contributed to the Gay Community Endowment Fund or the GCEF Scholarship Fund from Nov. 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Your gifts will positively impact our LGBTQ+ community and Greater Akron as a whole for many years to come.