Along with the many volunteer hours within the community, the Women of WITAN (Women in Touch with Akron’s Needs) annually award up to $88,000 per year to community organizations. Since 1943, WITAN has granted over 1.5 million dollars to community nonprofit agencies.
Donations
Grants 2018-2019 $87,529.21
Allocations 2018-2019 $2,327
Battered Women’s Shelter $7,500 – Funding for post client services: transportation, interpreters, and recovering vital documentation.
Blessings in a Backpack $12,000 – Funding to provide child-friendly nutritious food for 1000 elementary students to eat on weekends.
Camp Quality of Ohio $1,725 – Funding to purchase supplies for their Prom Project for campers with cancer and their families.
Capes of Courage $3000 – Funding for cape making supplies and business needs to provide Capes of Courage to children who need a little extra courage when dealing with medical issues, special needs, or dealing with difficult family situations.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad $1200 – Subsidy for on-board educational field trips for low income children.
Easter Seals $4902.86 – Funding to purchase testing and therapy materials to be used for the “Helping Children with Disabilities Enhance Key Communication Skills Project”.
Embrace Clinic & Care Center $3000 – Funding to purchase cribs, car seats, sleepers, and mattresses.
Family Promise $2993.90 – Funding of “Welcome Kits” to be given to homeless family members as they enter the shelter.
First Glance Student Center $5000 – Funding for food to be served family style during programming for children and youth.
First Tee of Akron $1870 – Funding to purchase supplies for youth development programming.
Fostering Independence $5000 – Funding to purchase household products and dorm supplies for at-risk emancipated youth transitioning from foster care due to lack of parental support.
Girl Scouts $5000 – Financial assistance for annual membership dues for low-income girls.
Lift Up Ministries $1500 – Funding to purchase a cargo trailer & plate used for transportation of tools, commercial lawnmowers, and snow blowers to help low-income and elderly living in Summit County.
Open M $10,000 – Support of the Open M medical clinic and pharmacy.
Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs $9707.45 – Funding to purchase new cafeteria tables and chairs.
Stewart’s Caring Place $4880.00 – Funding to purchase supplies for the “ Look Good Feel Better” Wigs & Beauty program.
Victory Gallop $3750 – Funding for their Summer Fun Day.
Weathervane Playhouse $1000 – Funding for a free family day for low to middle income families.
Women’s Auxiliary Board of Summit Co. Children’s Services $3500 – Funding for purchasing beds for the Beds for Kids Program.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) $528 – Funding for “First Aid” kits for volunteer counselors.
Valentine Project $600 – Funding for preparing and shipping one of a kind gift boxes to children affected by childhood cancer or chronic illness and their siblings.
Stewart’s Caring Place $599 – Funding for the Cancer Wellness Center’s Food Pantry items and gift cards for clients in need.
South Street Ministries $600 – Funding for meeting dinners, toiletries, clothing, bus passes, & printing.
More information on WITAN’s philanthropy
- Grants 1980 to Present
- Marion Geyer Fund
- WITAN Remembrance Fund
- Allocations 2007- Present
- WITAN Endowment Fund
- WITAN Presidents' Scholarship
For a complete listing of all grants click button to download Excel Spreadsheet
In 1943, Marion Geyer, a Beacon Journal columnist assigned to cover local society events and women’s news, helped WITAN to grow from a handful of dedicated founders to a thriving group of energetic and civic-minded Akron women. Miss Geyer publicized our social events and fundraising efforts, which she continued to enjoy even after her retirement. In recognition of her ongoing support, Miss Geyer was made an hononary member of WITAN. When she died in 1974, it was learned that Miss Geyer had included WITAN in her will. Her gift of $20,000 is now a named fund under the WITAN endowment fund. The interest generated by the principal fund is used annually to fund a civic non-profit agency project.
The WITAN Remembrance Fund was established in 1965, in honor of a Founder and the second president of WITAN, Eleanor Woodward. The monies donated to the fund are given to the Arboretum at the Seiberling Naturealm. These yearly donations are used for the planting of trees at the Naturealm.
2007-2018 Allocations
| Akron Public School – $600 | Interfaith Caregivers – $600 | |
| Bath Church – $200 | Keep Akron Beautiful – $780 | |
| Blick Clinic – $1600 | Lift Up Ministries – $2400 | |
| CASA/GAL – $3456 | Memorials of Angels – $1800 | |
| Child Guidance and Family Services – $554.50 | Mental Health America – $500 | |
| Children’s Concert Society – $2250 | Mobile Meals – $600 | |
| Choices Social Center – $1174 | Pajama Program – $600 | |
| Christ Child Society – $500 | Pregnancy Care – $600 | |
| Coleman Behavioral Services – $600 | Regina Health Center – $600 | |
| Community Habilitation Services – $600 | Ronald McDonald House – $600 | |
| Community Social Center – $280 | Safe Landing Youth Shelter – $600 | |
| Community Support Service – $600 | Shelter Care – $600 | |
| Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad-$2400 | South Street Ministries – $1200 | |
| Dancing Classrooms NE OH – $500 | Stewart’s Caring Place – $2298 | |
| Emergency Assistance Center – $600 | Summit County Historical Society – $550 | |
| Goodwill Industries – $2100 | Summit County Probate Court – $600 | |
| Green Good Neighbors – $600 | Summit County Public Health – $593 | |
| Hattie Larlham – $600 | Tarry House – $1800 | |
| Health Education Center/Akron Health Dept. – $1100 | True North Ministries Compass Gardens Project – $600 | |
| Hero’s Hope Farm – $1800 | Valentine Project – $600 |
|
| Willard Food Pantry – $1200 |
The WITAN Endowment fund was established to commemorate the 50th anniversary of WITAN. The money invested in the WITAN Endowment fund is money that will create income in perpetuity and will insure the future of WITAN’s philanthropic endeavors.
This scholarship program awards $1000 per year to a deserving, non-traditional senior woman at the University of Akron. The guidelines for the scholarship include; senior ranking, academic standing and financial need. The first award was made in the fall of 1999.