Fulton County Community Foundation Awards $20,000 Grant to Akron Youth League for Boys Diamond Field

Akron, Indiana – The Fulton County Community Foundation, a fund affiliate of the
Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF), has awarded a $20,000 grant to the
Akron Youth League (AYL) to support the replacement of field lighting at the Boys
Diamond in Akron.


The original lighting system, installed in 1974, had become outdated and inadequate for
safe play. While the bulbs were last replaced in 2012 with help from Fulton County
REMC, the entire system was in need of a full upgrade. Thanks to the grant funding,

AYL successfully installed modern fixtures that provide significantly improved visibility
for evening games.

“This project is a great example of how the community foundation can help meet
immediate needs that also have long-term impact,” said Brian Johnson, Fulton County
Community Foundation Director of Development. “These lights will allow Akron to
continue hosting high-quality tournaments and give local youth the chance to enjoy
baseball under the lights.”

AYL has proudly hosted the 12U Town & Country Boys Semi-State Tournament for
many years, attracting families and athletes from across Northern Indiana. While the
facilities are often praised, the lighting during late-night games has been a common
concern.

With the new lights in place, AYL is excited to bring back the popular “Friday Night
Lights” summer league series and be able to host the 8U Boys Baseball Tournament.
The upgrades were completed ahead of the 2025 season, ensuring a bright and
welcoming environment for players and fans alike.

For more information about this project or to learn how to support local youth programs,
visit www.nicf.org.