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GAR Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
4mo

GAR Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7.2 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $176.5 million+
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 24-48 hours after Distribution Committee meeting (3-6 months from application)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $300,000 (exceptional cases up to $2 million)
  • Most Common Grant: $15,000
  • Geographic Focus: Akron and Summit County, Ohio
  • Application Limit: One application per organization per calendar year

Contact Details

GAR Foundation
277 East Mill Street
Akron, OH 44308
(Use Union Street entrance)

Overview

The GAR Foundation was established in 1967 by Galen and Ruth Roush (Galen was co-founder and CEO of Roadway Express). The foundation's name is an acronym of its founders' names: Galen and Ruth (pronounced "je-a-är"). With over $176.5 million in assets, GAR is the largest private foundation in Summit County and one of the largest in Northeast Ohio. Since its inception, the foundation has returned $289 million to the community.

The foundation's mission is to help "Akron become smarter, stronger, and more vibrant" through strategic investments in communities, families, and individuals. In 2016, GAR underwent a strategic planning process to move toward a narrower, deeper approach focused on driving tangible outcomes in its priority areas. President Christine Amer Mayer, who has led the foundation since 2012, explained: "Even though we felt we were making great grants to solid organizations, when we look at those numbers, we understand that we need to change our behavior to impact them in a bigger way."

The foundation emphasizes trust-based philanthropy, offering multi-year, unrestricted grants to help nonprofit partners "breathe a little easier." GAR is known for its transparency, accessibility, and commitment to collaborative partnerships built on shared learning.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Grants for Nonprofits

  • Amount: $5,000 - $300,000 (most common: $15,000; exceptional cases up to $2 million)
  • Type: Operating, program, or capital support
  • Application Method: Rolling deadlines with three annual cycles
  • Format: Multi-year grants available for established grantees

2. Capital Grants

  • Amount: Up to $50,000
  • Purpose: Building acquisition, construction, renovation, or expansion
  • Application Method: Fixed deadlines (next round opens late 2026, decision early 2027)

3. Educator Initiative Grants (EIG)

  • Individual Classrooms: Up to $5,000
  • Teaching Teams: Up to $10,000
  • Recipients: 787 awards granted since 2004; $350,000 distributed to 46 teams in 2024-2025
  • Application Method: Annual cycle (2026-2027 applications open December 2025, deadline February 19, 2026)

Priority Areas

GAR Foundation supports five strategic focus areas in Akron and Summit County:

1. Early Childhood Education

  • Programs ensuring Akron children are kindergarten ready

2. K-16 Education

  • High-quality teaching and engaged learning in Akron Public Schools
  • Essential Experiences℠ field study programs

3. Economic, Workforce, and Community Development

  • Inclusive economic development
  • Workforce programs leading to family-sustaining jobs
  • Neighborhood-level community development through resident engagement, leadership development, and entrepreneurship
  • Support for overlooked neighborhoods
  • Elevate Greater Akron regional economic collaboration

4. Arts & Culture

  • Anchor arts institutions
  • Emerging and innovative arts ensuring Akron remains vibrant, unique, and creative
  • Akron/Summit Cultural Plan initiatives promoting cultural diversity

5. Basic Needs

  • High-capacity food distribution hubs addressing food insecurity
  • Emergency shelters and related services for people in crisis
  • Basic life needs of Akron's immigrant and refugee population (IN-Akron network)

What They Don't Fund

GAR Foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Special events
  • Nonprofit organization anniversaries
  • Individuals
  • National organizations (local presence required)
  • Religious organizations
  • Medical research

Governance and Leadership

President: Christine Amer Mayer (since 2012)
Christine guides the foundation's strategic direction and annual grantmaking with a focus on education and economic development. She is also vice chair of the University of Akron Board of Trustees. On the foundation's approach, she noted: "We are continually grateful for the opportunity to advance GAR's strategic priorities through key partnerships built on shared learning and collaborative action."

Former President: Robert (Rob) Briggs (1996-2011)
Currently serves in a governance role; Chairman Emeritus at Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs law firm.

Key Staff Members:

  • Rob Lehr — Vice President of Programs
  • Jennifer S. Kelsch — Chief Financial Officer
  • Laura DiCola — Senior Program Officer for Education
  • Nicole Chavers — Program Officer
  • Jessica A. Cherok — Grants Manager
  • Anthony Boarman — Strategic Communications Manager
  • Karen Hodge — Educator Initiative Grant Liaison
  • Kat Wentz — Operations Manager

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For First-Time or Lapsed Applicants:

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) - Submit first to determine project fit before investing in full application

  2. Full Application - Invited after successful LOI

    • Electronic submission only (no paper applications)
    • Review sample application questions (downloadable PDF)
    • Required materials:
      • Completed application form
      • Organization Budget Template (mandatory)
      • Arts & Culture form (for arts organizations only)

For Recent Grantees: Skip the Letter of Inquiry and proceed directly to full application portal.

Decision Timeline

Annual Cycle:

  • Three Distribution Committee meetings per year: typically May, August, and November
  • Three corresponding application cycles:

Cycle 1:

  • LOI Deadline: Early November
  • Application Deadline: Early December
  • Review Meeting: May

Cycle 2:

  • LOI Deadline: Mid-March
  • Application Deadline: Early May
  • Review Meeting: August

Cycle 3:

  • LOI Deadline: Late June
  • Application Deadline: Early August
  • Review Meeting: November

After Submission:

  • Staff conducts site visit and reviews application in detail
  • Notification of Distribution Committee decision: 24-48 hours after meeting (by phone or email)
  • Written notification: Within one week of meeting
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 3-6 months from application to decision

Important Deadlines:

  • All submissions due by 5:00 p.m. on deadline date
  • If deadline falls on weekend, due by 5:00 p.m. the following Monday
  • Late applications cannot be accepted due to high volume

Success Rates

GAR Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or application-to-award ratios. Recent awards include approximately $2.5 million to 28 organizations from a single Distribution Committee meeting.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit no more than one application per calendar year. The foundation does not specify a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants beyond this annual limit. Organizations are encouraged to contact Grants Manager Jessica Cherok to discuss reapplication after a decline.

Application Success Factors

What GAR Foundation Values

1. Strong Fit with Strategic Priorities The foundation underwent strategic planning to ensure resources drive meaningful change in their focus areas. Alignment with their five priority areas is essential.

2. Use Letter of Inquiry Process GAR staff strongly recommend completing the LOI before investing in a full application. This ensures your project fits their priorities and demonstrates respect for the foundation's process.

3. Geographic Focus is Critical All funded work must directly benefit residents of Akron and Summit County, Ohio. National organizations without local presence are not eligible.

4. Site Visits are Standard Foundation staff will visit your organization to meet and discuss your application in detail. Be prepared to demonstrate your work firsthand.

5. Multi-Year Thinking GAR prioritizes multi-year grants for established partners. If successful, position your organization for sustained partnership rather than one-time funding.

6. Organizational Capacity Matters Particularly for Basic Needs funding, GAR seeks "high-functioning organizations" with proven capacity to deliver services effectively.

7. Community Development Focus For neighborhood work, emphasize resident engagement, leadership development, and support for overlooked communities.

8. Financial Health GAR provides resources on financial best practices for nonprofits, suggesting they value strong fiscal management. Review their Financial Best Practice Checklist and Best Accounting Practices resources.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

  • Systemic Solutions: GAR moved toward deeper investments that drive systemic change rather than numerous small grants
  • Collaborative Approaches: The foundation values "key partnerships built on shared learning and collaborative action"
  • Innovation: In Arts & Culture, they support both anchor institutions and "emerging and innovative arts"
  • Clear Outcomes: The 2016 strategic shift emphasized "driving tangible outcomes" in priority areas
  • Flexibility in Fund Use: GAR offers operating, program, or capital support and emphasizes unrestricted, multi-year grants

Recent Grant Examples

Recent awards (2024-2025) included:

  • Early Childhood Resource Center
  • Child Guidance & Family Solutions
  • Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
  • United Way of Summit & Medina
  • University of Akron Foundation
  • ArtsNow
  • Akron Development Corporation ($125,000 for Data Transparency Strategist)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Start with LOI: Use the Letter of Inquiry process to gauge fit before investing time in a full application—GAR staff explicitly recommend this approach to save applicants' effort.

  2. Geographic Requirement is Non-Negotiable: Your work must directly benefit Akron or Summit County residents. If your impact extends beyond this area, clearly articulate local benefit.

  3. Think Multi-Year Partnership: Position your request as the beginning of a sustained partnership rather than a one-time grant. GAR explicitly aims to help partners "breathe a little easier" with multi-year commitments.

  4. Demonstrate Systemic Impact: Since 2016, GAR has focused on "narrower, deeper" investments that drive tangible community-level change. Show how your work addresses root causes, not just symptoms.

  5. Prepare for Site Visit: Staff will visit your organization during the review process. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your work firsthand—make it count.

  6. Request Flexibility: GAR offers operating, program, and capital support. Consider requesting unrestricted or operating support if your organization has established credibility with the foundation.

  7. One Shot Per Year: With only one application allowed per calendar year, ensure your proposal is polished, strategically aligned, and well-timed before submitting.

References

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