City of Akron Awards $100,000 in Sports and Wellness Grants to 50 Local Organizations
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced that 50 local organizations will receive $100,000 in funding through the City's Sports and Wellness Grants Program. Now in its second year, the program supports community organizations providing sports, mentorship, after-school activities, and other opportunities for Akron youth as part of the City's broader efforts to prevent youth violence. Each selected organization will receive a $2,000 grant to support its programming.
“Every young person in Akron deserves opportunities to explore their interests, build meaningful connections, and discover what they're capable of,” said Mayor Malik. “We have so many dedicated organizations across our city creating those opportunities every day, whether through sports, mentorship, after-school activities, or other programs. These grants are one way we can support their work and help more young people access experiences that enrich their lives and set them up for success.”
First launched in 2025 in collaboration with Akron City Council, the Sports and Wellness Grants Program awarded funding to 49 local organizations in its inaugural year. This year's funding continues that investment, supporting organizations across four categories:
After-school programs
Mentorship and life skills programs
Street outreach and community norm change efforts
Violence intervention and prevention programs
Organizations were required to be a registered 501c3 and serve Akron youth in some capacity. Grant recipients can use the funding for eligible expenses, including program fees, mental health services, coaching certifications and training, safety improvements, and equipment. Funding cannot be used for staffing.
In the first year of the program, grantees used their funding in a variety of ways to support Akron youth:
Akron Armor Football used funding to purchase additional helmets and shoulder pads to better equip their players and meet national equipment safety standards.
Akron Bobcats used the funding to support a 5th Grade Akron Bobcat AAU team, using the money towards uniforms, gym time, and tournament fees.
Keys to Serenity used funding to provide a Fall Kayaking & Wellness Event, taking students to experience kayaking at Burning River Adventures.
Student With A Goal (SWAG) helped establish new partnerships with organizations such as the YMCA which allowed their students to participate in basketball and swimming.
"Following the success of our first round of grants, we're excited to continue supporting the organizations that are making a difference in the lives of Akron's young people," said Denico Buckley-Knight, Youth Opportunity Strategist. "These organizations provide opportunities for kids to stay active, build relationships, develop important life skills, and connect with trusted adults. Even a relatively small investment can help strengthen these programs and expand the opportunities available to our youth."
The grants are part of the City's broader commitment to expanding youth opportunities and addressing the root causes of violence. Akron is also partnering with the Aspen Institute on the State of Play Akron initiative, which examines barriers to youth sports participation and identifies ways to make sports and recreation more accessible. As part of this work, the City will host a State of Play Akron Summit on March 2, 2027, bringing community partners together to explore opportunities to expand access to sports and play for Akron youth. Anyone interested in the State of Play Summit can sign up to receive alerts at projectplay.org/communities/akron.
See below for a breakdown of the organizations within each of the 4 categories.
After School Program
Akron Inner City Soccer Club
Akron Promise
Buchtel Youth Wrestling
Gooden Faith Community Center Patterson Park Football & Cheer
Students With A Goal
Trust Drum Circles
West Akron Little League
Ellet High School Boosters Club
West Akron Track
Popeye’s Boxing Gym
Akron Bobcats
Citizen’s Akron Church
Mentorship or Life Skills Program
Ladies First Akron, Inc
Akron Armor Football Club
Always Climbing Project
West Akron Baseball League
West Griffins Football & Cheer
Firestone Akron Swim Team
NightLyfe Foundation
Synthesis Sports Academy
Village Keepers of Ohio
C.O.R.E.
100 Black Men of Akron
Street Outreach and Community Norm Change Efforts
GoalGetta Academy
Akron Bengals Football
Akron East Youth Football
Akron Titans Youth Football & Cheer
Chase Lee Foundation (Blimp City Bears)
Central Raiders Football & Cheer
South Rangers
Noex Sports
Rooted in Christ
HandsOnSports Foundation
Keys to Serenity
BAB Elite
Violence Intervention and Prevention Program
Akron Sneaker Academy
Akron Fear
Kenmore Athletics Booster Club
Akron Parent Pee Wee Football Association
NEO Flight
Winners & Leaders
Akron East Alumni Inc.
D.O.P.E. Program
Akron Boxing Academy
Fallen Father’s Foundation
First Glance Student Center
Guys & Gals Community Partnership Inc
D.A.L.E. Program
Williams Challenge
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