SitemapThe Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley awarded $3.3 million in competitive grants last year, more than $1 million greater than what it had given out in 2023. In the final grant cycle of 2024, the CFMV, along with several supporting organizations under its umbrella, awarded $634,000 to 34 area nonprofit organizations and agencies. “It is a pretty big jump,” Josh Medore, CFMV’s community-impact coordinator, said. “Most of that jump came from a one-off grant cycle that we did with the city of Warren earlier this year that was to help city council disburse a chunk of the ARP (American Rescue Plan Act) money that they had left over. I believe that was between $500,000 and $600,000.” Of the $634,000, the CFMV, via its general grant, awarded $223,500 to 27 local and regional organizations. “The Community Foundation is excited to close 2024 on such a high note and support so many projects that are vital to the communities of the Mahoning Valley,” Casey Krell, CFMV’s president, said in a statement. “Whether it’s small grants to support youth theater at the Youngstown Playhouse or large awards to support a multi-year needs assessment led by Goodwill, we’re honored to support work by passionate people that improves our community for all.”
In addition, a few smaller new funds, in conjunction with the city of Warren, opened this year, which was a contributor, Medore noted. The three supporting organizations that also provided award grants were the Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation, the William Swanston Charitable Fund and the Western Reserve Health Foundation. All three affiliated foundations that the Community Foundation manages have their own decision-making boards, Medore said, adding that the CFMV handles administrative work that includes accepting grant applications and overseeing investments. The leading grant recipient was the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, which received $68,400 for the Trumbull Health and Wellness Initiative to implement programs in the county. The Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation awarded that sum.
“We are extremely grateful for the support from CFMV, as well as from the Healthy Community Partnership which acts as a conduit for the effort,” Matt Martin, executive director for TNP, stated via email. “Warren neighborhoods have faced disinvestment that impacts residents’ ability to live healthily, and this programming works to break down the barriers to healthy food and greenspace access.”
The 26 other agencies and organizations that received fourth-quarter funds from the CFMV were:
• Axxess Family Services – $5,000 each for a foster grandparent AmeriCorps program and a Retired Senior Volunteer program.
• Boston Avenue Neighborhood Association – $6,000 to support the Happy Place Sanctuary.
• Cadence Care Network – $10,000 to support the addition of a career exploration coach.
• Compass Family and Community Services – $20,000 for a senior guardianship program.
• Down Syndrome Association of the Valley – $5,000 for health and wellness programs.
• Dylan’s House – $5,000 for operating support.
• Fairhaven Foundation – $10,000 for its community experiences program.
• Honeycomb Arts and Wellness Collective – $5,000 to formulate a new website and marketing plan.
• Kelly Pavlik Charitable Organization – $5,000 for operating support.
• Loop Youngstown – $10,000 for operating support.
• Malone University – $2,800 for its textbook library.
• Mercy Health – $10,000 for its Stepping Out program.
• Northeast Ohio Adoption Services – $9,000 for operating support.
• Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana organization (OCCHA) – $4,200 to modernize organizational policies.
• Ohio Urban Renaissance – $15,000 for its Initiative for College Academics Now program.
• River Valley Organizing – $4,000 for operating support.
• Scholastic Arts and Writing at Youngstown State University – $5,000 to offer art supplies and support to high school students.
• Shepherds of All God’s Children Learning Center – $10,000 for preschool and after-school programs.
• Smith Township – $5,000 for a new playground at the site of the former Maple Ridge Elementary School.
• Students Motivated by the Arts – $10,000 for art education programs.
• Trumbull County Historical Society – $20,000 for Phase I construction of the Museum of Science Fiction & Fantasy Arts.
• Ursuline Sisters Mission – $10,000 for its HIV/AIDS ministry.
• Warren Heritage Center – $5,000 to install new exhibits at the Kinsman House.
• Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries – $10,000 to implement findings from its workforce-focused community needs assessment.
• Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. – $12,500 for its neighborhood cleanup program.
• Youngstown Playhouse – $5,000 for its youth theater program.
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