Linking Philanthropy with Community Events
The Mawaka Foundation was founded in 2004 by Scott and Julie Mawaka, with a mission to raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations across the greater Cleveland and Akron areas. Originally created as a pass-through 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Foundation began by hosting annual golf outings to support causes that were personally meaningful to the Mawakas. Beneficiaries included Youth Challenge, the Northern Ohio Chapter of the ALS Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Geauga County, and grassroots organizations such as HeArt and The Feel Good Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of family, friends, local peers, and business associates, these events raised over $1 million in just over a decade.
After ten years of golf outings, the Foundation partnered with LOpen Charities to create “Rockin’ FORE the Kids,” a weekend-long golf tournament and concert series benefiting Akron Children’s Hospital Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Over five years, the event featured performances by bands such as The Gin Blossoms, Rascal Flatts, Starship, Steven Tyler, and Sammy Hagar, along with celebrity chefs and sports figures. Together, the Mawaka Foundation and LOpen Charities pledged $1 million to establish an Endowed Chair honoring Dr. Jeffrey Hord, M.D., of Akron Children’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, a commitment fulfilled in 2020, ensuring permanent support for the hospital.
From 2021 to 2023, the Foundation shifted focus to environmental stewardship through a partnership with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. This initiative, “ROC in CLE ~ Reforest Our City!,” combined an educational breakfast, a VIP concert, and community tree-planting efforts to promote land conservation and urban restoration. Grammy Award-winning band Train headlined in 2021, while Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Lynyrd Skynyrd performed in 2023. Beyond raising significant funds and awareness, the effort resulted in hundreds of trees planted and maintained throughout Cleveland neighborhoods in need of green space, improving both the environment and quality of life for local residents.
More recently, the Mawaka Foundation supported The Edna House for Women in Cleveland with a private event aimed at raising awareness and funding to expand the organization’s staffing and addiction recovery programs. Looking ahead, the Foundation will feature Hope Meadows Foundation in Wadsworth, Ohio, in 2025, with a focus on raising support to improve its equine therapy facilities and expand programming.
Scott and Julie continue to explore new ways to connect philanthropy with community impact, not only through innovative events but also by expanding into grant submissions and fulfillment to benefit a broader range of local organizations. Residing in Hudson with their daughters, Kylie and Jordyn, they remain dedicated to strengthening their community and supporting causes that create meaningful, lasting change.
This fall, the Mawaka Foundation is proud to support the life-changing work of Hope Meadows Foundation in Wadsworth, Ohio. Through equine therapy, Hope Meadows helps individuals and families heal, grow, and thrive.
While our fall fundraiser is a private event, you can still make an impact! Donations may be made through the Mawaka Foundation’s donation page, with all proceeds benefiting Hope Meadows and their mission.
👉 Make a Donation Here
👉 Visit Hope Meadows Foundation
We’d love to share more about the Mawaka Foundation and the incredible beneficiaries we support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, we’d be happy to hear from you!
Snail Mail
Scott & Julie Mawaka Charitable Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 852
Hudson, OH 44236-0852