Community Impact
The Youngstown Foundation works to support nonprofits and those they serve, especially the most vulnerable populations. Each year, our grant awards enhance the capacity of local community organizations to provide programs and services encompassing arts and culture, education, economic and community development, health, human services and the environment.
Support Fund
Through this effort, the Youngstown Foundation provides a 10% match to contributions made to eligible local charities from a donor, company or community partner. The Support Fund helps encourage donations to charities allowing donors to multiply the impact of their gift. In 2020, donations made to the Support Fund resulted in the distribution of more than $1.7 million to 78 agencies throughout the Mahoning Valley, an increase of 12%.
YSTAR
Qualified graduates of the Youngstown City School District receive four-year full tuition awards to attend Youngstown State University. YSTAR scholars are also eligible for expense reimbursement for room and board, meals, parking, books and supplies Funds from the Youngstown Foundation will be applied after all other financial aid and scholarship sources have been exhausted. Students interested in learning more about the YSTAR program including how to enroll and additional eligibility requirements, should reach out to their school guidance counselor or the YSU financial aid offices.
COVID-19
With expertise and resolve from its history with the 1918 influenza pandemic, the Youngstown Foundation stepped up during the pandemic to help stabilize and preserve the non-profit industry, ensuring programs and services would be available when the current crisis subsided. The Youngstown Foundation has chosen to respond to COVID-19 in collaboration with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and the Raymond John Wean Foundation. In 2020, COVID-19 grant funds provided services such as emergency housing, food and employment services. Grants were awarded to 25 organizations, totaling more than $800,000.