As autumn invites reflection, gratitude, and renewal, we are reminded that strong communities flourish when people come together with shared purpose.
Guided by that shared purpose, the Trailhead Board gathered on September 3 to review and finalize our inaugural strategic plan. The board unanimously adopted the plan, along with a new mission statement: to leverage resources and partnerships to improve health and wellness outcomes. Staff are now developing action plans to advance the foundation’s priorities in operations, grant making, fundraising, communications, and community engagement.
That spirit of shared purpose was also evident on October 1, when staff celebrated Trailhead’s first anniversary by volunteering with the following nonprofit organizations:
Akron Parks Collective – Akron Parks Collaborative engages neighborhoods in revitalizing city parks.
Beacon Charitable Pharmacy – headquartered in Canton, Beacon provides essential medications and pharmaceutical services to Northeast Ohio residents who are uninsured, underinsured, or facing financial hardship.
Brimfield Community Cupboard – The Brimfield Community Cupboard provides groceries and personal care items to residents twice a week at Faith United Methodist Church. The organization also offers special assistance during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, including an Adopt a Child for Christmas program.
Feeding Medina County – Feeding Medina County provides supplemental food to children who receive free or reduced-price lunches and to seniors living in low-income, subsidized housing within the county.
Queens Village Akron – Queens Village offers a supportive community and safe space for Black women, mothers, and allies in Akron to rest, recharge, and address racial disparities in maternal and infant health.
Our first anniversary also coincided with another important milestone: on October 7, we began moving into our new office space and look forward to supporting fellow downtown Akron businesses.
Even as we settle into our new space, we continue to make time to learn from foundation peers and stay informed and coordinated on regional health and economic developments. Kyle Kutuchief, program director at the Knight Foundation, shared helpful insights into his foundation’s priorities and its support for downtown Akron and neighborhood development opportunities. We also participated in a recent Summit County Funders Coalition meeting, where we learned how federal changes to the Medicaid program are affecting individuals and local health and social service organizations. In response, we are exploring ways the foundation can help people maintain health care coverage and access vital health and wellness services.
Together, these milestones—adopting our strategic plan, serving alongside local nonprofits, opening a new office, and listening closely to our partners—reflect the shared purpose that is shaping Trailhead’s path forward. As the year enters its final months, we will carry this momentum into the work ahead, building a foundation that turns partnership, learning, and service into lasting, measurable impact across our community.
Tracy L. Carter, Treailhead Executive Director and CEO