Opportunity Overview
Direction Home Akron Canton Foundation Innovation Projects is a verified open Ohio innovation opportunity supporting projects, programs, and solutions that improve aging for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and communities. Applications opened September 8, 2026. The Foundation serves Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne counties and emphasizes innovative approaches, partnerships, entrepreneurship, and solutions that improve access to community services.
Funding and Deadline
Awards are available for up to $25,000. Applications are due October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. The public materials do not identify a separate solicitation number.
Eligibility
The official call encourages organizations, community groups, researchers, entrepreneurs, and partners committed to improving life for older adults and/or people with disabilities to apply. A proposed project should serve the Foundation’s regional population and fit the published innovation purpose. Because the public materials do not enumerate every legal entity restriction, prospective applicants should confirm the precise applicant or partnership structure before submission.
Priority Areas
The application identifies Health & Well-Being, Independence & Autonomy, Social Connection & Dignity, and Care Navigation or Caregiver Support. Health projects may address physical, mental, emotional, or overall health. Independence projects may help people remain safely and successfully in their preferred home or community. Care navigation and caregiver support may address access to and coordination of health and long term support systems, caregiver education, and related needs.
Submission Requirements
The official application asks for the project description and implementation plan, request amount, counties served, a project timeline of no more than 12 months, intended beneficiaries, evidence of community need such as data, research, or community input, measurable outcomes, a narrative explaining use of funds, anticipated financial return on investment, and a definition of success. Applicants also select the support sought, including Grant Funding, Investment with Potential Return, Pilot Partnership, or another form of support, and disclose whether other funding is secured, pending, or none.
Match, Cost Share, and Attachments
No mandatory match or cost share requirement is stated in the controlling public materials. The application expressly allows the other funding status to be reported as none. Atlas did not identify a separate mandatory attachment in the published application PDF. Applicant controlled facts and any additional portal requirements should be confirmed rather than inferred.
Strategic Fit
Atlas Opportunity Score: 94/100. This is a strong Ohio innovation opportunity because it is open, has a precise deadline and meaningful award ceiling, expressly welcomes entrepreneurs and partners, and offers pilot partnership or investment oriented support in addition to grant funding.
N9+ Fit Score: 91/100, conditional direct vendor pathway. The Nonagon N9+ device and platform could have a legitimate role in an applicant defined aging in place, health access, independence, or care navigation pilot if the project is locally grounded, the proposed costs are allowable, the workflow and outcomes are validated, and the Foundation accepts the proposed applicant or partnership structure. Dr. Miltie/QC Healthcare should not auto submit; any direct vendor pursuit requires Marc review.
Contact and Controlling Sources
The published contact is Jessica Bader, Director of Business Development, at jbader@dhad.org and 330-899-5260. Official opportunity page: https://www.dhad.org/innovate. Official application PDF: Application for DHAD Foundation Innovation Projects. Foundation background: Direction Home Akron Canton Foundation.
Verified September 12, 2026. No separate amendment or addendum was identified in the controlling public materials reviewed.