John Petures, President and CEO of the Akron Community Foundation

As President and CEO of Akron Community Foundation, John Petures works to educate people about philanthropy and encourage them to find ways to give back. Additionally, he champions the organization’s transformation into a donor-centric entity.

He leads a 20-person team to foster lasting connections with donors, fundholders, board members and community leaders.

Early Life and Education

At Akron Community Foundation, John Petures helps donors turn a small initial gift into philanthropic capital that supports causes they care about. He says his job’s most rewarding part is seeing Grandmas and Grandpas, or Mom and Dad, sitting with their children as they learn how to give back.

He has an impressive engineering portfolio that includes planning, design and value engineering for major infrastructure projects like water, wastewater and telecommunications mains and pump stations as well as master planned communities. Furthermore, his expertise extends to coal combustion residuals (CCR) landfill design; specifically dealing with federal and state regulations related to CCR treatment and disposal. Furthermore, he conducted feasibility studies for new flue gas desulphurization (FGD) waste landfills over existing fly ash disposal areas at coal-fired power plants in Ohio and Michigan.

Professional Career

At the Akron Community Foundation, David Coakley has been a pioneer in innovation. Over five years, he has transformed the organization into more donor-centric by inviting outside investment managers, implementing an updated policy for multigenerational advisement, and most importantly, championing transparency and openness.

Schloenbach is not only a top executive, but he’s also a proud dad to three and an active member in the Akron community. He serves on the board for Akron Children’s Hospital’s philanthropic arm as well as its economic development task force. Additionally, he volunteers regularly with Boy Scouts and takes pride in Ohio State University’s quality of life.

Achievements and Honors

Since joining Akron Community Foundation in May 2008, John has helped transform the organization into a donor-centric entity and grown its assets to over $260 million. Along with an experienced 20-person team, John has fostered relationships with donors, fundholders, board members and community leaders while advocating for permanent philanthropy for our region’s benefit.

He has also been instrumental in creating new grantmaking programs such as On the Table Community Impact Awards and Capital Improvements grants, which were inspired by surveys and research provided through the foundation’s needs assessment. These proactive initiatives focus on three areas that emerged from surveys: drugs & addiction; diversity, equity & social inclusion; and aging senior population needs. The first round of these proactive grants will be awarded this fall.

Personal Life

John Petures has long been a pillar in the community and generous supporter of local charities. He has contributed generously to areas such as art, education, health and social services on numerous occasions. However, John is particularly proud of his initiative to boost charitable giving to nonprofits by encouraging donors to create endowments that provide lifetime income.

One of his most renowned charitable contributions was the award-winning READY (Readiness through Expanded Acculturation Development of Immigrant/Refugee Youth) program at Asian Services in Action, which received a $12,500 grant from Akron Community Foundation. This groundbreaking initiative is the first of its kind in Ohio and offers culturally appropriate instruction to refugee children and their caregivers as they prepare for kindergarten. Best of all? This program is free and open to qualified students in Cleveland!