Youngstown Foundation Announces Nearly $700K in Grants

November 13, 2023

Easterseals, Children’s Garden Secure Largest Commitments

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Foundation today announced $686,500 in grants, including $250,000 for the children’s garden proposed for Mill Creek MetroParks and $150,000 for programs for children with disabilities at Easterseals of Mahoning Trumbull and Columbiana Counties.

The foundation also announced 12 smaller grants to local nonprofit organizations in its latest grant cycle.

“These grant recipients are a true representation of the Mahoning Valley’s spirit of service,” said Youngstown Foundation President Lynnette Forde. “Our distribution committee was impressed by the creativity of their proposals and their dedication to those they serve. We are pleased to support these initiatives that will contribute to the quality of life in Greater Youngstown.”

Plans for the children’s garden at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Fellows Riverside Gardens call for five garden areas that encourage children to explore and learn about gardening, trees, water and other elements of nature. Learning labs, a sensory garden and interactive features are planned for the $3 million project, for which fundraising began last year.

The Easterseals funding will be used to support early intervention, respite and skill building programs to ensure that children with disabilities have support needed to empower them to be full and equal participants in society.

These 12 local nonprofits also landed grants:

  • Autism Society of Mahoning Valley, Camp FRIEND, $52,000
  • BCC Full Spectrum Community Outreach, Housing Project, $20,000
  • BRITE Energy Innovators, Scaling BRITEnetwork, $50,000
  • Eversight, Sight-Saving Surgeries and Research, $5,000
  • Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, Girl Scout Journey at YMHA, $6,000
  • God’s Warehouse Inc., Food Support Fund, $3,500
  • Golden String Inc., Programming, $50,000
  • Inspiring Minds, Youth Enrichment Program, $50,000
  • Thrive Mahoning Valley, Operational Expenses and Capacity Building, $10,000
  • Yellow Brick Place, Operational Support for Continued Growth, $25,000
  • Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Vouch for Good, $10,000
  • Youngstown Community Food Center, Equipment Needs & Operations, $30,000

About the Youngstown Foundation

Since 1918, the Youngstown Foundation has devoted its resources to ensure the quality of life and sustain a vital and prosperous community in the Mahoning Valley. The Youngstown Foundation has grown from $33,000 in assets at its origins to over $150 million today and has distributed over $100 million back into the community through grants to support nonprofit organizations. The Foundation remains poised to address the most pressing issues — and support actions and ingenuity to ensure that our community continues to grow and thrive, with no one left behind. Further information is available at www.youngstownfoundation.org.

Photo: Easterseals occupational therapist Keri Overly-Wear enjoys a moment with some of the preschool-aged children with whom she works.

Posted in Slider