TRAILHEAD

Community Health Foundation
of Greater Akron

Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving community health across the Greater Akron area through strategic grants, collaborative partnerships, and targeted initiatives. 

Communities We Serve 

As one of the largest grant-making foundations in Northeast Ohio, Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron will invest in expanding access to healthcare and driving long-term improvements in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties.  

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Protecting Public Interest 

Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron safeguards the public interest by monitoring and enforcing commitments made in the transaction between Summa Health and Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo), ensuring the new for-profit Summa Health System fulfills its obligations to the community.  

Our Board of Directors 

Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is guided by a board of directors with deep connections to the Greater Akron community. 

Marty Hauser,

Board Chair

Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of SummaCare 

Lashawrida L. Fellows, MHRM,

Vice Chair

Deputy Director of Human Resources at the City of Akron, Ohio 

Naomi D. Ganoe,

Treasurer

Managing Director and Private Client Services Practice Leader at CBIZ 

Steven Cox,

Secretary

Attorney and Shareholder at Roetzel & Andress 

Julia Rea Bianchi

Marketing Consultant and Chief Operating Officer at Blue Chip Kids

Brenda Cummins

Director of Philanthropic Services at the Cleveland Foundation 

Mary Jo Goss

Retired Registered Nurse at Barberton Citizens Hospital and Summa Health

Wakita Johnson

Regional Vice President and Ohio Medicaid Chief Operations Officer at Humana

Allen E. Loomis

Retired Executive Vice President at National City Bank 

Steven P. Schmidt, PhD

Professor of Graduate Studies and Retired Vice President for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Northeast Ohio Medical University 

Demond Scott, MD, MPH

Medical Director at Axess Family Services, Inc. 

News

  • Expanding Our Team, Securing Downtown Akron Office Space, and Deepening Community Connections

    Trailhead welcomes CFO Eustacia Netzel Hatcher, secures downtown Akron office space at 50 S. Main Street, and expands community health partnerships across Wayne, Summit, Stark, and Medina counties.

  • Akron’s new Trailhead Foundation to begin awarding health nonprofit grants by early 2027

    Staff is working through a strategic planning process to set priorities for the organization.By Lauren Cohen for Signal Akron. Staff at the Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron have been hard at work growing their team and setting up the organization since its creation in October. The health grantmaking and fundraising organization launched with proceeds from Summa…

  • Iriel Hopkins Joins Trailhead to Enhance Community-Driven Grantmaking

    This month, Iriel Hopkins joined Trailhead’s team to serve as senior program officer. With her public health, healthcare, and philanthropy background, she will utilize data and community feedback to shape the foundation’s grantmaking activities. She has already hit the ground running by meeting with Dr. Steve Schmidt, chair of Trailhead’s Grants Committee, to refine her…

Read More Articles

Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron
FAQ 

About the Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron 

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  1. What is the primary mission of Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving community health through strategic grants, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives. The foundation also protects the public interest through monitoring and enforcement to ensure the new, for-profit Summa Health System honors the commitments made by Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo) during the transaction. 
  2. Why was the name “Trailhead” chosen?
    The name reflects both Greater Akron’s natural heritage and the foundation’s role as a starting point for healthier futures. Just as trailheads mark new journeys, Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron signals a new path forward for community wellbeing in Greater Akron. 
  3. What geographic area does Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron serve?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation serves Greater Akron, which includes Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties. 
  4. Why do we need another foundation in Greater Akron?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron brings a distinct focus on community health. It expands the region’s philanthropic landscape by dedicating resources specifically to improving health outcomes and addressing unmet needs in meaningful, measurable ways. Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron complements the work of other local foundations. 
  5. How was Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron established?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is funded with the net proceeds of the transaction between Summa Health System and Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo). As a part of its review of the transaction, the Ohio Attorney General reviewed and approved the foundation and board structure.  
  6. When will Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron be operational?
    The Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is operational and will release details about identified community funding priorities and grant applications in 2026. Donations to the Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron are welcome and being accepted.
  7. What will be the immediate focus of the foundation?
    In this early stage, Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is focused on hiring leadership and staff and establishing best practices in structure, policies and operations.
  8. Have you hired a CEO?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is pleased to announce that Tracy L. Carter, MHSA will be assuming the role of President & CEO effective January 1, 2026.
  1. Where is the funding for the Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron coming from?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron’s initial funding comes from the net proceeds from the sale of Summa Health System’s assets to Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo), combined with restricted assets held by Summa Foundation before the sale. 
  2. What is the size of Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is one of the largest grantmaking foundations in Northeast Ohio. While the sale of Summa Health System to Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo) has closed, there is still work to be done to determine the final dollar amount for the foundation. We look forward to sharing the size of the foundation in the future.
  3. Will Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron solicit donations?
    The Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is a non-profit entity and is soliciting support to advance its mission.
  4. Who served on the committee that created the mission and structure?
    The Summa Health System Board of Directors created a working group of community members to lead this effort, including Julia Rea Bianchi, Thomas Harnden, Ramona Hood, Dave Lieberth, and Allen Loomis. They were supported by a team of legal counsel, business advisors, and communications consultants.  
  5. How was the board of directors selected for Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron?
    Interested individuals applied and were vetted through a rigorous process. Recommended candidates were reviewed and approved by the Governance Committee of the Summa Health System Board and then the Summa Health System Board. 
  6. Will donations be tax deductible?
    Yes. Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is a registered 501(c)(3) and donations are tax-deductible.
  7. Will Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron support the new, for-profit Summa Health System?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is prohibited from using the proceeds of the transaction to make direct payments to the hospital system owned and operated by Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo). 
  1. How will the Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron use its endowment?
    Funds will support strategic grants, partnerships, and initiatives that improve community health. Grantmaking guidelines will be set by the board. 
  2. How can my organization apply for funding?
    Details about funding priorities and the grant application process will likely be released in 2026. 
  3. When will Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron begin distributing grants?
    We anticipate that the first grants will be distributed at the end of 2026.
  4. What specific programs or initiatives does Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron prioritize?
    The Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron focuses on initiatives and partnerships that enhance health and wellness for Greater Akron residents. Specific guidelines and programs will be developed and publicized in 2026.
  5. How will decisions be made about which programs or initiatives Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron will fund? Will these decisions be made transparently and with community input?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron will support programs that align with its mission. Details about the decision-making process and community engagement opportunities are in the process of being developed.
  6. How can community members get involved with the Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is discussing and making plans for opportunities for individuals, businesses, and organizations to participate in its mission.
  1. What happens to those who have included Summa Health System in their estate plans?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron’s board and staff is working with legacy donors to ensure their intent is honored. Donors are receiving updates as opportunities are created to support community health through the foundation.
  2. What happens to Summa Health System’s giving societies?
    The Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron board and staff is working with those societies and their donors to ensure their intent and legacy are honored. Donors are being kept informed as opportunities are created to support community health through the foundation.
  1. What is Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron’s relationship with the new Summa Health System/Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo)?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is fully independent from the new Summa Health System/Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo). The foundation is prohibited from using the proceeds of the transaction to make direct payments to the hospital system owned and operated by HATCo. 
  2. Does Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo) have a say in how Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is run or its grantmaking decisions?
    No. Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo) has no governance or influence over Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron. 
  3. How is Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron ensuring Summa Health System/Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo) fulfills its sale commitments?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron protects the public interest through monitoring and enforcement to ensure the new, for-profit Summa Health System honors the commitments made by Health Assurance Transformation LLC (HATCo) during the transaction. 
  4. How does Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron ensure decisions about our health remain rooted in the community?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is governed by a board comprised of individuals with deep roots in Greater Akron. The foundation improves community health in the five counties of Greater Akron (Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Wayne) through strategic grants, partnerships, and initiatives.   
  1. How does Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron ensure transparency and accountability?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron and its affiliates will be tax-exempt nonprofits registered with the IRS and the Ohio Attorney General. They will file annual Form 990s and will make reports available to the public.
  2. How can we be sure funds raised by Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron benefit the local community?
    Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron is permanently chartered for charitable purposes. Governed by a board comprised of individuals with deep roots in Greater Akron, its assets will serve Greater Akron communities. Public reports and oversight will ensure transparency.
  3. Where will updates be posted?
    Updates will be posted on trailheadhealthfoundation.org. 
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