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Stark Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$20.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2w

Stark Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $20,100,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $450,000,000
  • Decision Time: 1-2 weeks after Board meeting
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $50,000 (Community Responsive Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Stark County, Ohio (organizations outside county eligible if serving Stark County residents)
  • Board Meetings: Five times per year (January, March, May, August, November)

Contact Details

Address: 400 Market Avenue North, Suite 200, Canton, OH 44702

Phone: 330-454-3426

Email: info@starkcf.org

Website: https://www.starkcf.org

Grants Administrator: Robyn Guedel

Overview

Founded in 1963, Stark Community Foundation serves as a philanthropic partner for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits in Stark County, Ohio. With nearly $450 million in assets, the Foundation has awarded nearly $275 million in grants since inception, including $161 million since 2014 alone. In 2024, the Foundation granted $20.1 million to meaningful causes while raising $21.6 million in outright and planned gifts and establishing 38 new charitable funds. The Foundation has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 95% score, reflecting strong financial health and commitment to accountability. The Foundation's strategic approach focuses on data-driven grantmaking that addresses community needs in economic development, education, neighborhood revitalization, arts and culture, and human services. President and CEO Mark J. Samolczyk leads the organization with a focus on "strengthening economic development to help individuals overcome issues of poverty, hunger and education barriers."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Responsive Grants Program: $2,500 - $50,000 The flagship program invests in organizations responding to Stark County's evolving needs and opportunities. Applications reviewed five times per year with rolling submission. Online applications only through Grant Portal.

SummerTime Kids: Up to $2,000 Supports imaginative and unique summer youth programs that introduce youth to new experiences, field trips, and fill gaps such as healthy meals, transportation, or family support. Since 1992, has provided more than $1.5 million in support. Application deadline typically in early March.

The Women's Fund: Variable amounts (recent grants: $2,113 - $5,000) Supports programs addressing the needs of underserved women and children in Stark County. Managed by a volunteer committee.

Discretionary Grants: Typically $5,000 - $200,000 (most common: $10,000) Various donor-advised, designated, and field of interest funds that distribute grants based on specific donor intent and foundation priorities.

Priority Areas

  • Economic development and poverty reduction
  • Education and removing education barriers
  • Neighborhood revitalization
  • Arts and culture
  • Human services and community needs
  • Children and youth programs
  • Women's health and support services
  • Mental health services
  • Sports medicine and wellness

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Operating expenses
  • Deficit financing
  • Capital expenditures
  • Annual appeals
  • Conferences
  • Endowment funds
  • Religious purposes (sectarian activities)
  • Sponsorships
  • Vehicles

Additional Restrictions:

  • Organizations cannot receive Community Responsive Grants for more than three consecutive years
  • Only one Community Responsive Grant application per organization at a time
  • Organizations awarded discretionary grants must wait one year before reapplying for another discretionary grant
  • Individuals cannot apply directly for grants

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Mark J. Samolczyk - President and CEO Joined the Foundation in 2010. Focuses on strengthening economic development to help individuals overcome poverty, hunger, and education barriers. Emphasizes "personally interacting with staff members, community leaders and funders" and "helping organizations and people achieve their charitable goals and working together to build a stronger community."

Amy B. Krebs - Vice President of Grants and Community Initiatives Oversees competitive grantmaking, strategy, evaluation, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

Bridgette L. Neisel - Vice President of Advancement Specializes in designing charitable plans for donors, stating "It's a tremendous responsibility that none of us take lightly" regarding maintaining donor legacies.

Carrie L. Bast - Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Leads accounting, finance, and human resource operations while maintaining financial integrity of the Foundation's growing asset base.

Dana S. Johnson - Grants Manager and Program Officer Works to "support and help address many different community needs" through grantmaking.

Callie A. Livengood - Director of Marketing and Communications Leads the Foundation's marketing and communication strategy.

Board of Directors

Officers:

  • Jeffrey W. Zellers, Chair - President and Chairman, K W Zellers & Son, Inc.
  • Brian S. Belden, Vice Chair - VP of Sales & Marketing, The Belden Brick Company
  • Steven J. Burger, CPA, MBA - Chief Financial Officer, Employers Health (Finance Committee Chair)

Board Members:

  • Nancy S. Gessner - Director of Community Development, MCTV
  • Gregory W. Luntz - Commercial Agent, NAI Spring
  • Tonja J. Marshall - Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Canton
  • Karen Soehnlen McQueen - Director, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty
  • Andrea M. Perry - Director of Public Safety, City of Canton
  • Todd E. Pugh - CEO and Founder, Enviroscapes
  • Gary D. Sirak - Financial Advisor, Sirak Financial Services

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Community Responsive Grants Program:

  1. Submit applications through the online Grant Portal at https://www.starkcf.org
  2. Only online applications accepted
  3. Organizations may submit only one application at a time
  4. Video tutorials available on website for portal instruction

Required Documents:

  • 501(c)(3) determination letter
  • IRS Form 990
  • Financial statements

Special Provision for Grassroots Organizations: Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply for grants up to $3,000 using an approved fiscal agent.

Eligibility:

  • Tax-exempt private agencies
  • 501(c)(3) public charities
  • State-supported educational institutions
  • Government entities
  • Must be located in Stark County OR directly serve Stark County residents

Decision Timeline

  1. Application Receipt: Grants Administrator processes application and sends email confirmation
  2. Review Process: Grants Review Committee reviews application; may contact for interview and/or site visit
  3. Board Decision: Committee makes recommendation to Board of Directors for final decision
  4. Notification: Applicants notified within 1-2 weeks after Board meeting
  5. Board Meeting Schedule: January, March, May, August, and November

Proposals reviewed on ongoing/rolling basis with decisions made five times per year.

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded:

  • 252 grants in 2023
  • 234 grants in 2022
  • 216 grants in 2021
  • 230 grants in 2020

Specific acceptance rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. With $20.1 million distributed annually across 200+ awards, competition is moderate to high.

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations awarded a discretionary grant must wait one year before reapplying for another discretionary grant
  • Organizations cannot receive Community Responsive Grants for more than three consecutive years
  • Organizations with pending applications cannot submit additional Community Responsive Grant applications
  • Failure to submit final reports impacts ability to secure future funding
  • Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants not publicly disclosed

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Evaluation Criteria

The Foundation evaluates applications based on four key factors:

  1. Strength and Breadth of Local Support: Demonstrate community backing and partnership
  2. Organization Sustainability: Show long-term viability and capacity
  3. Project's Enduring Value: Evidence of lasting community impact
  4. Data-Driven Evidence of Community Need: Use statistics and research to support your case

Foundation-Specific Advice

Use Data Strategically: The Foundation explicitly states that "funding decisions are guided by data that point to needs and can shape impactful programs." Applicants should "consider available data when submitting their application." Ground your proposal in concrete statistics about Stark County needs.

Connect with Support Resources First: The Foundation "strongly encourages organizations to connect with groups like Canton Regional SCORE prior to seeking funds." SCORE can assist with structuring a board of trustees, grant writing, developing business plans, marketing plans, establishing outcomes and performance indicators, complying with IRS requirements, and financing/budgeting—"all things the Foundation looks at when considering applications."

Review Resources Thoroughly: Before applying, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section and watch video tutorials available on the grant portal. The Foundation provides these resources to improve application quality.

Align with Strategic Priorities: President Mark Samolczyk emphasizes strengthening economic development to help individuals overcome poverty, hunger, and education barriers. Applications addressing these root causes align with leadership vision.

Recently Funded Project Examples

Women's Fund 2024 Grants:

  • Akron Children's Hospital ($5,000): Pilot program training new and expectant mothers on safe sleeping environments for infants
  • Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter ($3,000): Vouchers for clothing and home items as clients transition from shelter
  • The Legacy Project of Stark ($2,113): Supplies for REMIX mentoring program for fourth-eighth grade students
  • YMCA of Central Stark County ($2,500): College and career readiness program exposing minority teens to building trades and STEM careers

Dr. James Violet Memorial Fund: Funded JRC's wellness clinic serving seniors and children, Kent State sports medicine scholarships, and anatomy coloring books for R.G. Drage Career Technical Center students.

These examples demonstrate the Foundation's interest in practical, community-based solutions that directly serve vulnerable populations with measurable outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Data is critical: Ground every claim in statistics and research about Stark County needs. The Foundation explicitly makes decisions based on data-driven evidence.

  • Demonstrate sustainability: Show you have the organizational capacity, board governance, and financial systems to sustain impact beyond the grant period—consider working with Canton Regional SCORE if capacity building is needed.

  • Focus on root causes: Align with President Samolczyk's vision of addressing poverty, hunger, and education barriers rather than just treating symptoms.

  • Show community support: Emphasize partnerships, collaborations, and broad community backing—the Foundation looks for "strength and breadth of local support."

  • Keep it local: Clearly demonstrate how your program benefits Stark County residents, even if your organization is based elsewhere.

  • Plan for three years maximum: Since organizations cannot receive Community Responsive Grants for more than three consecutive years, design projects that build toward sustainability or develop a long-term relationship strategy across different Foundation funds.

  • Submit complete applications: Ensure all required documents (501(c)(3) letter, Form 990, financial statements) are included to avoid delays—the review process begins only when all materials are received.

References

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