Ravenna, Ohio – March 30, 2026 — The Portage County Pride Fund (PoCo Pride Fund), established in 2025 as a community response to the closures of area LGBTQ+ centers, will launch its portal for crisis grants on Thursday, April 2nd. The date was selected to coincide with the birthdate of Aidan Veney, a Kent resident whose death resulted in an outpouring of support for the PoCo Pride Fund from his many friends and family.
Amy Veney, Aidan’s mother and member of the Advisory Board of the PoCo Pride Fund, expressed appreciation for the decision to open the student application portal on April 2nd. “Launching this fund on Aidan’s birthday carries profound meaning for us. Aidan, whom we lost this past September, lived with a relentless commitment to justice. For him, there was no gray area—only right and wrong—and he believed that wrongs had to be addressed regardless of the personal cost.”
“His compassion was as fierce as his principles. Whether he was challenging school administration over an unjust policy or sitting quietly in the back of an ambulance until a patient felt safe enough to enter the hospital, Aidan’s unflappable sense of duty always prevailed,” said his father, Michael Veney. “In today’s political climate, Aidan would be the first to demand that we stand up for the marginalized and protect those in crisis. It is in that spirit that we proudly launch the Portage County Pride Fund. We hope to live up to the standard he set and the expectations he had for us all.”
As part of its two-pronged approach, the fund provides crisis grants to local students facing unexpected challenges, covering essentials like food, transportation, and basic needs. Once fully endowed, the second prong of the PoCo Pride Fund will launch to award grants to nonprofits supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Portage County.
Janice Simmons-Mortimer, Executive Director of the Portage Foundation, said, “The Portage Foundation is grateful for the support from donors in creating this fund. It exemplifies the role of a community foundation when those who recognize a need come together to create systems for neighbors to help neighbors.”
To donate to the PoCo Pride Fund, or to learn more about available resources, visit portagefoundation.org/pocopride or email PoCoPride@portagefoundation.org.
About the Portage Foundation
Established in 1997 as a trusted steward of charitable resources, the Portage Foundation helps individuals, families, and businesses turn their philanthropic goals into meaningful action through strategic grantmaking, scholarships, and philanthropic services. The Foundation partners with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to address local needs, strengthen organizations, and create lasting impact today and for generations to come. To learn more, visit PortageFoundation.org or call (330) 470-8950.