Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Foundation has announced $983,250 in grants to 19 local organizations, including $200,000 for the Youngstown YMCA to support free memberships for Youngstown youth and kitchen improvements at the downtown branch.

“This funding will enable us to modernize and expand the capacity of our kitchen at the Central YMCA downtown,” said Beth Scheller, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Youngstown. “We’re also excited about welcoming up to 200 Youngstown City Schools students and family members as new members of the YMCA.”

The largest portion of the Youngstown Foundation support, $120,000, will pay for annual memberships for Youngstown City School District students and / or family members. The remainder will cover kitchen improvements that will enable the YMCA to prepare and serve meals to youth in the organization’s programs, as well as salary support for a new youth program director to oversee child care and other youth services.

“The additional membership revenue, kitchen improvements and enhanced childcare capabilities will strengthen the YMCA as a true anchor institution in downtown Youngstown,” said Lynnette H. Forde, president of the Youngstown Foundation. “We are very pleased to approve this investment in the YMCA and in the health and overall wellness of our community.”

The foundation also approved three grants of $100,000:

● The city of Youngstown will receive $100,000 to support additional events and new signage as part of the ongoing effort to revitalize downtown.

● Flying HIGH Inc. will receive $100,000 to support the expansion of its North Side training center, which provides job-specific training customized to local employers.

● The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation will receive $100,000 to support the expansion of its Early Learning Center, Akiva Academy, food service operations and adult daycare program.

Also included were grants to these 15 organizations:

● Adaptive Sports Ohio (programs for children with disabilities), $75,000.

● Mahoning Valley Community Action Program (economic opportunities education), $50,000.

● Leadership Mahoning Valley (operating support), $50,000.

● Regional Chamber Foundation (leadership training), $50,000.

● Youngstown City Schools (positive behavior intervention & support), $40,000.

● Ballet Western Reserve (“Nutcracker” performance), $30,000.

● Stambaugh Auditorium (operating support), $30,000.

● Help Network (Special Navigator program marketing), $30,000.

● Kelly Pavlik Organization (youth services for children with disabilities), $25,000.

● Kent State University Foundation (LGBTQ+ community needs), $25,000.

● Antonine Sisters Adult Day (senior programs), $20,000.

● Youngstown Links (infant mortality efforts), $20,000.

● Bess Purpose (operating support), $15,000.

● Millcreek Children’s Center (scholarships), $15,000.

● National Inventors Hall of Fame (Camp Invention for children with disabilities), $8,250.

Since 1918, the Youngstown Foundation has devoted its resources to sustaining a vital and prosperous community in the Mahoning Valley. The Youngstown Foundation has grown from $33,000 in assets at its origins to more than $150 million today and has distributed more than $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.