Akron's Gay Community Endowment Fund focuses 2010 grants on arts and media

Founded in 2001, the Gay Community Endowment Fund is a permanent philanthropic endowment of Akron Community Foundation. It facilitates and perpetuates philanthropy by supporting programs and services that support or positively impact the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, as well as the entire greater Akron community. The fund has reinvested more than $127,000 in the community since its inception.

In November 2010, the Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $26,435 to 11 greater Akron nonprofit organizations.

GCEF Chair Christopher Hixson said the 2010 grant-making resulted in an emphasis on media and arts programs. “We feel that accurate depictions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the media help combat bullying, bigotry and intolerance,” he said, "and our strongest grant applications came from organizations addressing these issues."

Grants were awarded to projects that promote tolerance and equality on public radio and television, as well as in print media, theater and the visual arts. Other grants focused on youth, social service and HIV/AIDS prevention programs.