History
Akron Community Foundation began in 1955 with an initial gift of $1,033,533 from Edwin Coupland Shaw, an Akron industrialist. Shaw’s goal, as expressed in his will, was to create a way for local residents to give back to their community as the community's needs changed over time. It was his desire that there be a flexible means of fulfilling people’s philanthropic goals in the Akron area.
A board of trustees was soon created that would serve to appropriate income from the fund. The trustees came from all walks of life and brought with them expertise in at least one field. This tradition continues today and ensures that foundation decisions reflect the best interest of the entire Summit County community.
The original trustees of Akron Community Foundation were Paul E. Belcher, John L. Collyer, Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., Paul A. Frank, John S. Knight, Paul W. Litchfield, W.B. McIntosh, Forrest D. Myers, C. William O'Neill, Bert A. Polsky and J. Penfield Seiberling.
Shaw died in 1941, but his cause was carried on by other civic-minded citizens who continued to make gifts to the foundation. Since the time of Shaw’s original bequest of $1 million, the foundation has grown to nearly $140 million to support the health, educational, cultural and welfare needs of Summit County residents.
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