Spring 2009

In This Issue:

GCEF Grant Helping to Educate High-Risk Youth on the Dangers of HIV

Last year, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) increased its figures for new HIV infections upward by 40 percent. The CDC now estimates that 56,300 people in the U.S. are infected with HIV every year. Of this group, 34 percent fall within the ages of 13-29.

Community AIDS Network (CAN) has begun a campaign to help reach this age group with a grant of $6,460 from the GCEF. Looking for new ways to reach those who may likely become infected, CAN is placing advertising placards inside 110 buses of the Akron Metro fleet.

Rick Krochka of Triad Communications graciously had his firm design eight edgy posters for this project. One of four current designs being used on the buses is shown above.

The campaign began March 1, 2009, and will run for six months. CAN reports that there have already been responses which have resulted in HIV testing. Through the anonymous risk assessment forms completed when testing takes place, CAN will be able to track the demographics of those being tested which will help determine the effectiveness of this unique campaign.
It's gratifying to observe our grant helping to make our community a healthier place to live.

ACF Has Many Investment Tools

Did you know that Akron Community Foundation has a Planned Giving Design Center for resources and information about charitable gift and estate planning?

Visit the center now and register to gain free access to the complete site and to get access to [PhilanthroCalc], a calculator that provides easy-to-understand calculations for donors and compliance ready deduction calculations with complete detail for submission with your tax return.

WHO WE ARE

The Gay Community Endowment Fund is a permanent, philanthropic endowment of Akron Community Foundation.

Akron Community Foundation

To learn more about Akron Community Foundation, please click the headline above.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

If you haven't already done so, please take a minute to join our mailing list. By joining, you will receive advance notice of Gay Community Endowment Fund announcements and activities.

Contact Us

news@gaycommunityfund.org

GCEF Annual Dinner and Meeting an outstanding success!

The 2009 Gay Community Endowment Fund Annual Dinner and Meeting was held at Bricco Restaurant on Feb. 8, 2009. More than 80 GCEF supporters and guests attended and enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Bricco and an inspiring address by Rabbi David Horowitz. Horowitz brought a rare fusion of humor and humility to his keynote address. The buzz afterward was tremendous! Everyone came away with a new understanding and appreciation for PFLAG's importance to our community.

Even in this poor economic climate, our supporters showed their outstanding generosity that evening by pledging to retire the Gill Foundation Challenge grant. Christopher Hixson, president of the GCEF Advisory Board, reported that 75 percent of the dinner attendees pledged during the evening, in amounts ranging from $5 to $500, resulting in a total of $6,070. Fantastic! Thank you all for your continued support.

Chris also acknowledged the hard work by the Sugar Plum Tour committee and co-chairs Tia Stathopoulous and David Leonti. Patron Party hosts Dr. James and Gerri George, as well as generous homeowners, sponsors, volunteers and attendees, were recognized. The significant media coverage and hard work by all involved resulted in a record 498 tourgoers and more than 190 Patron Party attendees, which helped us raise almost $29,000 and further enhanced the fund's reputation in the community.

As reported in the winter newsletter, a record $32,994 in grants was awarded at the end of 2008. The recipients of these grants were all recognized at the dinner. Currently, one cycle of grants is awarded annually, and grant applications for next year are due Sept. 15, 2009.

Thanks to Bricco and all in attendance for a delightful Annual Dinner and Meeting!

GCEF honored at Akron Pride Center Annual Dinner

The Gay Community Endowment Fund is honored to have been named the "2009 Akron Area LGBT Community Organization of the Year" by Akron Pride Center.

The award was made at the Akron Pride Center Annual Dinner held Saturday, April 4, 2009, at the Greek Community Center. Accepting the honor was GCEF past President Steven Schmidt. The Pride Center's chairman, Steven Antalvari, said GCEF's commitment to improving the community made it "a unanimous choice" for the award this year.

Also honored were Angel Falls Coffee Shop as the Community Leader of the Year and Ken Ditlevson as Volunteer of the Year. About 100 guests attended the event which featured keynote speaker Dr. Karen Cimini, a psychologist who has provided Gay Positive Therapy since 1985 at Akron Family Institute.

The Akron Pride Center is celebrating its 11th anniversary. Their 2008 annual report indicated that through successful fundraising grants and membership renewals, they were able to add $1,842.52 to their building fund. This was after paying out almost $30,000 in building expenses and mortgage payments.

Donor Profile - Rev. Meghan F. Froehlich

The Rev. Meghan F. Froehlich currently serves as rector (senior priest) with Church of Our Saviour, Episcopal, near Highland Square. Before becoming a priest, Meghan worked in the Washington, D C area as a management consultant and small-business owner. She now lives in West Akron with her border collie, Murphy.

Church of Our Saviour is a Parish Partner with Integrity, USA, one of the Episcopal Church's GLBTQ advocacy groups. As a parish, the Church of Our Saviour is an advocate for causes involving hunger, housing and social injustice. Meghan describes the parish as "welcoming and affirming, believing that God loves everyone equally."

Meghan works with the Episcopal Church nationally as a faculty member for Fresh Start, assisting congregations and clergy in transition. Meghan is a member of CFLAG (Clergy Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and seeks to encourage a welcoming and equal community for all people. She is the recent recipient of a prestigious Pastoral Leaders grant from the Louisville Institute.

Meghan learned of the GCEF from members of her parish. She believes in supporting causes that are transparent, accountable and cutting edge. We are fortunate to have her place the GCEF in this category.

Thanks, Meghan, for the major contributions you are making to our community and for your continued support of the GCEF.