YOUNGSTOWN – The Youngstown Foundation awarded $7 million in grants in 2020. And it mobilized local foundations to stabilize and preserve the area’s nonprofits, ensuring programs and services will be available when the pandemic ends, says Crissi Jenkins, program coordinator.
Special COVID-19 grant funds were provided to 106 organizations for emergency housing, food and employment services.
Also in 2020, the foundation strengthened its support fund program, providing a 10% match to contributions to eligible local charities. Donations made to this fund resulted in the distribution of more than $1.7 million to 78 agencies throughout the Mahoning Valley, an increase of 12% from the previous year.
In December, Lynnette H. Forde was named president of the Youngstown Foundation. She succeeded Jan Strasfeld, who retired.
The Youngstown Foundation is the largest community foundation in the region with assets that exceed $130 million.