YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Despite inflation and a tight economy, local foundation leaders say people still want to make a big impact on the future of the Mahoning Valley.
Leaders of the Youngstown Foundation, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio report strong partnerships, donations and philanthropic activity this year.
Lynnette Forde, president of the Youngstown Foundation, says her organization continues to partner with other organizations to provide funding for key projects. And those organizations are doing stellar work.
“They are led by experts with huge hearts who want to do everything and help their clients and students in an economy that is tough, but in Youngstown, we’re tough people,” Forde says. “We’ve been through all sorts of difficult times and when I talk to folks who are in the trenches, they respond with determination and commitment that lets them know that while money isn’t an obstacle, having more would make them able to do more.”
Nationally, however, giving is down. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, Americans gave $557.16 billion in 2023, a 2.1% decline from 2022.
The largest source of charitable giving, 67%, came from individuals and totaled $374.4 billion. Foundation giving totaled $103.53 billion in 2023, a 1.7% increase from 2022.
But gifts to local charities and foundations continue to increase.
Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley
Casey Krell, president of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, similarly notes that despite the tough economy, philanthropic activity is not slowing down. In the first two quarters of 2024, the CFMV raised $3.3 million in new charitable funds. The CFMV has more than $38.3 million in total assets.
Established 25 years ago, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley has worked hard to become a trusted partner for people looking to make a difference in the area, she says.
“You’re not going to want to open a fund or work with a partner that you don’t feel aligns with your vision for the community, or you feel at least that your partner is a good listener and understands what you hope to achieve with your philanthropic giving,” Krell says.
To celebrate its 25 years, Krell says the foundation recently hosted a board reunion, inviting anyone who has served on the board throughout the years to come together. Krell took over after a decade of leadership by Shari Harrell. CFMV has restructured, developed a new strategic plan and added a philanthropic services director position. That has allowed it to further support the fund holders and help them meet their charitable goals.
“That has worked out wonderfully,” says Krell. “We started a lot of new relationships. We’ve had a lot of growth with our agency funds, which are funds that are held by local nonprofits.”
Additionally, CFMV continues to work with individuals and families to open funds to fulfill their philanthropic goals.
The foundation also is working to build new relationships, grow agency funds and advocate for changes through the community, including partnering with elected officials and those involved in economic development, education and health care sectors.
“Our biggest tool is grant making… but advocacy is definitely one of those tools that we’re getting more comfortable with and using more,” Krell says.
Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio
Donations also are increasing at the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio, according to Kyle English, executive director.
“We’re fortunate to live in one of the most generous regions, really, in the country,” English says. “Our donations have been up the past three years. A lot of that is in response to us doing our best to get out there, put those needs in front of the community and find different ways that they’re able to support local organizations, as opposed to some other forms of giving that they may have done in the past.”
Already this year more than 6,400 donations have come in and whether the gift is $1 or $1 million, English says every gift is appreciated and the giver is respected.
“We’ve always had a guiding principle that any amount of money makes a difference in the life of somebody who needs a little bit of help,” English says. “Anybody can be a philanthropist.”
At this time last year, English says, the CFWPEO had granted $9.5 million. Grants this year top $10.9 million. Inflation is hitting everything, increasing the costs nonprofits must cover to provide the same services.
The LIFT (Lifting Individuals for the Trades) Program continues to expand, he says. It provides grants to cover costs and expenses so more workers can obtain skills training.
English says the foundation is also excited to be working with the Charles L. Shor Foundation, which has set up an epilepsy opportunity fund to help students with that condition complete their studies.
Additionally, English says the foundation is always working on partnerships to support the Air Reserve Station in Vienna.
“We respond to the impact that our donors want to have in the community. And if a program doesn’t exist for them to give to, then we’ll create it,” English says.
The Youngstown Foundation
Forde of the Youngstown Foundation says her work centers on preserving the organization’s 106-year legacy. It’s also rooted in working with nonprofits such as the Youngstown Jewish Federation and the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, as well as other foundations like the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, the Raymond John Wean Foundation, the Buhl Foundation and the Mercy Health Foundation to make the biggest positive impact possible.
“I hate to imagine what the Valley would be like without the partnership of the Youngstown Foundation on some key projects,” Forde says.
The organization’s mission hasn’t changed during its tenure: It remains committed to the people of the city of Youngstown and vicinity.
The Youngstown Foundation began in 1918 with $30,000 in assets. By 2020, it had $150 million in assets, when the pandemic changed some things. But it is on track to get back to that $150 million mark and beyond, thanks, Forde says, to the “magicians who are part of our investment management system” from PNC.
Forde says the foundation’s partnership with the Youngstown City School District helps the district with programs it cannot afford. She cites the behavioral incentive initiative, which is linked to improvements in student attention, attendance and grades. A partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital has cut the amount of time children with vision problems requiring corrective surgery must wait.
The partnership led to adding space and locally dedicated staff to do the work.
The foundation also partners with Students Motivated by the Arts (Smarts) to help with programming.
“What Becky Keck [Smarts director] is doing with kids on the autism spectrum, but also making these community programs available at no charge to families is awesome. She is a magician and her staff is incredible,” Forde says.