Barberton Community Foundation

Thank you Kent State University for sharing this exciting partnership in your recent newsletter. Economic Prosperity Research Fellowship Explores Drivers of Long-term Community Growth The Barberton Community Foundation has partnered with Kent State University through a new Economic Prosperity Research Fellowship aimed at examining one of the most important questions facing communities navigating the legacy of deindustrialization: What separates cities that achieve long-term economic growth from those that do not? Read More: https://lnkd.in/gbXqjKJV

You can drive a car every day for 30 years and gain plenty of experience. But that does not make you a mechanic who can diagnose what is happening under the hood. Experience vs. expertise: Knowing the difference matters. At Barberton Community Foundation, doing our “homework” means gathering data, conducting studies, and bringing qualified experts to the table before larger investments are made. From Barberton’s citywide Master Plan to a hotel and event center feasibility study, this work helps replace assumptions with evidence and gives our community a stronger foundation for future decisions. Because Barberton deserves thoughtful plans, informed investments, and the right expertise to help turn opportunities into lasting progress. Read Josh Gordon’s latest article: https://lnkd.in/eNCBZbU8 #BarbertonOhio #CommunityDevelopment #StrategicInvestment City of Barberton Hotel & Leisure Advisors

Barberton Community Foundation is proud to support this regional effort as part of our commitment to helping Barberton’s youngest learners enter kindergarten ready to thrive!

We’re hiring a Director of Community Impact! This role helps guide Barberton Community Foundation’s grantmaking and build strong relationships with the nonprofit organizations serving our community. We’re looking for someone who is organized, relationship-driven, and excited to invest in ideas, partnerships, and programs that strengthen Barberton. Share this post with someone you think may be a great fit! Learn more and apply online: https://lnkd.in/gbS58dss

Congratulations, Ohio! Being named CNBC’s No. 1 state for business is a major achievement and a reflection of the infrastructure, affordability, industrial strength, and statewide partnerships that continue to attract investment and create opportunity. For Barberton Community Foundation, the ranking reinforces the importance of building on Ohio’s momentum locally. As companies invest and industries grow, communities must continue strengthening workforce training, career pathways, and the talent pipeline needed to support that growth. Ohio has earned the top spot. Now, the opportunity is to make sure communities like Barberton and the people who call them home are positioned to benefit. #ProjectDEPOT #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment #CareerPathways https://lnkd.in/e_EfACAZ

Northeast Ohio defense suppliers: we need to hear from you. As planning advances for Project DEPOT in Barberton, Ohio, the window to shape what this proposed facility could become is now. This cannot be training designed in a vacuum. It has to be shaped with the companies that need people trained, certified, and ready to work. So here is the ask: Where are the gaps? Do you need DoD-aligned credentials? Welding and fabrication? Metalwork? Quality systems? Advanced manufacturing skills? Polymer or materials training? Workers trained on specific equipment? A faster way to upskill people already on your floor? What would make this facility useful enough that your company would use it? Barberton Community Foundation is now accepting inquiries from defense, energy, polymer, and advanced manufacturing businesses interested in helping shape a proposed workforce training campus designed to meet industry needs, strengthen business growth, and build a regional talent pipeline. Reach out to Gil Gonzales, Director of Strategic Projects at Barberton Community Foundation at ggonzales@barbertoncf.org. #DefenseManufacturing #DoD #NortheastOhio #GreaterAkron #AdvancedManufacturing #TalentPipeline #WorkforceDevelopment Greater Akron Chamber Team NEO JobsOhio SOUTH SUMMIT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Update your resume! Barberton Community Foundation is accepting applications for its Director of Community Impact, a position that helps guide the Foundation’s strategic grantmaking and strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life in Barberton. Each year, Barberton Community Foundation invests in community priorities through two annual competitive grant cycles aligned with its strategic plan. One cycle supports downtown revitalization and community development projects that strengthen Barberton’s physical and economic vitality. The second invests in nonprofit organizations advancing Birth-to-5 Early Learning, Workforce Development & Career Pathways, and Basic Needs. Together, these investments help create opportunities, strengthen organizations, and improve quality of life for Barberton residents. “Every grant we make is an investment in Barberton’s future,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “We’re looking for someone who is relationship-driven, organized, and genuinely interested in the work of our community partners. Our role is not simply to fund good ideas. It’s to build lasting partnerships, steward charitable resources responsibly, and ensure our investments develop and strengthen the systems that help Barberton thrive through thoughtful, community-centered philanthropy.” Working closely with nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and the Foundation’s Grants Committee, the Director of Community Impact helps ensure each grant is thoughtfully reviewed, carefully stewarded, and measured for its long-term impact on the community. The position also helps identify emerging needs, identify grant partners and funding opportunities that support our work, strengthen relationships with community partners, and support strategic grantmaking that reflects the Foundation’s mission and priorities. The Director of Community Impact will help ensure the Foundation’s charitable investments continue creating opportunities for children, families, workers, neighborhoods, and nonprofit organizations across Barberton. Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/gbS58dss #grantmaking #strategicpartnerships #communityfoundation

One more opportunity to share your input. Barberton Community Foundation is conducting a brief survey to better understand potential demand for a hotel and event center in the Barberton area. This survey is for businesses, organizations, residents, visitors, and anyone who may have a future need for lodging, meeting space, event space, workforce training space, or accommodations for guests, clients, employees, or family. Your feedback will help inform future community planning and ensure the results reflect a broad range of local needs. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with others who may have input: https://lnkd.in/g-M2QaD2

Barberton Community Foundation has named Carrie Herman its Director of Scholarships, a dedicated role focused on managing the Foundation’s scholarship program and helping Barberton students make the most of their post-secondary educational opportunities. Carrie has managed the Foundation’s grants and scholarship programs since joining the organization in July 2019. As both areas have grown in scale and complexity, responsibilities previously housed within one position will now be divided between two roles: one dedicated to scholarships and student support and another focused on strategic grantmaking and community partnerships. “Scholarships are one of the most personal and direct ways we invest in Barberton’s future,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “Each award represents a student’s goals, a family’s hopes and a donor’s belief in what education can make possible. Carrie understands the responsibility that comes with bringing those pieces together, and she has demonstrated tremendous care for the students, families and donors who make this program so meaningful.” As Director of Scholarships, Carrie will manage the Foundation’s full scholarship program, including application development, student outreach, eligibility review, scholarship committees, award administration, donor-designated scholarships and presenting awards at the annual Scholarship Awards event. She will continue to work closely with Barberton High School administrative staff and the counseling department to connect students with opportunities and support them throughout the application process and beyond as they navigate their post-secondary learning experiences. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gaVXZBfE

Last night, Barberton Community Foundation rolled out the purple carpet at Magic City's Remarkable Diner for our First-Generation Scholarship recipients and their families. This evening was about much more than celebrating what these students have already accomplished... It was a unique opportunity to begin building the relationships and support systems that can carry them from their first day on campus through graduation. A scholarship can help a student get to college. We also want to help them succeed once they arrive. Before stepping onto campus this fall, students and their families sat down with college representatives, Foundation staff and scholarship alumni for honest conversations about financial aid, academic resources, finding community, balancing responsibilities and asking for help when challenges arise. They exchanged contact information and left with familiar people they can turn to when they have questions or need encouragement. That continued connection is an important part of what sets Barberton Community Foundation’s scholarship program apart. Our relationship with students does not end when a scholarship is awarded. We want them to know that their families, colleges, scholarship alumni and Foundation are part of the circle supporting them throughout their education. We are grateful to the representatives from Ohio University, The University of Akron, University of Akron Wayne College and Kent State University who shared their guidance and welcomed our students into their campus communities. We also appreciated hearing from scholarship alumni Kennedy Macko of Point Park University and Ava Hart of The Ohio State University, who offered honest advice drawn from their own college experiences. Our students have already demonstrated the perseverance, strength and determination it takes to reach this milestone. Last night, we made sure they also began this journey with connections, encouragement and people in their corner. Congratulations to our First-Generation Scholarship recipients! #firstgenerationcollegestudent #barbertoncommunityfoundation #CollegeBound