Please Join Us for our
May Lunch and Learn!
Be sure to join AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION and AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS for this great Lunch and Learn Thursday, May 18! They will be giving an overview of Growing Goodness! What a great value as an AFP member! Learn how to look ahead for your organization by engaging future fundraisers now!
The Akron Community Foundation has become the nonprofit convener for a partnership with Akron Public Schools in which middle school students are exposed to the importance of nonprofits and career opportunities within the nonprofit arena. This presentation will give an overview of the Growing Goodness (The 10 Best Practices for Raising Giving Children) tool and how it can be used to connect families with your organization. Presenters will explain the partnership and why the Akron Community Foundation felt it was important to lead this initiative. They will also outline the implementation and progress so far. This will be great food for thought on how you can rethink career pipelines for your organization as well as participate in problem-based learning in collaboration with your local schools.
Presenters for this Professional Development meeting will be:
- John Garofalo, CFRE, Akron Community Foundation
- Darlene Schuler, Akron Public Schools
- Karen Hrdlicka, Akron Community Foundation
Presenter Bios:
John Garofalo, CFRE
John has served as the Vice President of Community Investment at Akron Community Foundation since August 2011. He manages the foundation’s grant distribution process and all the affiliate fund grant distributions. John joined Akron Community Foundation after over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, which included various management and development positions. John received his B.S. in community health education from Kent State University and his M. Ed. in community health management and administration, also from Kent State. John also carries the prestigious Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification. John currently serves as a board member for Plexus Education Foundation, Arts Now, Leadership Akron, and the Social Services Advisory Board.
Darlene Schuler
Darlene Shuler’s role as the partner liaison for Akron Public Schools is funded by Akron Community Foundation. Darlene is responsible for finding and engaging with local nonprofit partners who commit to supporting Akron Public Schools College & Career Academies at the middle school level, through both in- and out-of-school engagement and hands-on learning opportunities. Through these nonprofit partnerships, students will learn about the value of giving back to the community, as well as explore possible career paths in nonprofits. Darlene has enjoyed a long career in education, both within Akron Public Schools and as a diversity recruiter for several public and private institutions, where she was responsible for increasing diverse enrollment in select graduate and undergraduate programs. During her years with APS, Darlene has served as the Online K-12 Program Manager, College and Career Services Program Manager, Online Mentor and substitute teacher. Her most recent role before returning to APS was as a corporate diversity recruiter.
Karen Hrdlicka
Karen leads The Center for Family Philanthropy, a charitable resource center created by Akron Community Foundation to connect our donor advised fund holders and their families with the charitable knowledge and resources of the foundation. Karen provides customized consulting, helping them maximize their personal charitable goals and create a multigenerational legacy consistent with their mission and family values. Additionally, she connects our citizens to education, experiences and impact investing opportunities, focusing on non-profits in Summit and Medina counties. Prior to joining the Akron Community Foundation in July of 2020, she spent her career working and volunteering in the non-profit environment. Most of her career has been spent working with older adults and their families, most recently as the CEO of VANTAGE Aging which provided community supports for older adults. She has served on many non-profit boards and currently is a board member for South Akron Youth Mentorship (SAYM). She is an honorary board member for Community Support Services serving on their Human Resources committee. She is an appointed member of the Mayor of Akron Older Adults Commission and a coordinator for the Age Friendly Akron initiative. Karen is a proud graduate of Leadership Akron, class 33, and her work at ACF is used in collaboration with their programming. Her volunteer work includes serving on the curriculum committee for Limitless Ambition and art ministry at Christ Community Chapel.
Full participation in Children and Philanthropy is applicable for 1.0 points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.