10/22/2026
A HUGE Thank You to the Akron Community Foundation for their support of the International Soap Box Derby and the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby. This excerpt is taken from the article attached:
"Included in this round of civic affairs awards is a $15,000 grant to the International Soap Box Derby to support programs like the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby, its marquee event, along with racing programs and hands-on STEM learning, field trips, camps, and engineering experiences for students. The Soap Box Derby serves around 7,500 people per year through its programs.
While STEM learning as it pertains to gravity racing is important, "This is leadership development in the form of gravity racing," said Dennis VanFossen, president and CEO of the International Soap Box Derby and a former Soap Box Derby world champion. "It's not necessarily just about the racing aspect of it, but what you really get to see, you get to see future champions, future champions as engineers, doctors, lawyers, grant funders, the leaders of tomorrow."
While Akron is a hotbed for Derby racing, the Soap Box Derby has 70 racetracks across the country, along with gravity racing tracks internationally in Japan and Canada."
For the full article, read here:
Included in this round of civic affairs awards is a $15,000 grant to the International Soap Box Derby to support racing programs and STEM learning.
