Final Applications for Local Virus Relief Grants Due Nov. 20
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Three local foundations are issuing their final call for grants for COVID-19 relief, with the deadline to apply set for Nov. 20.
With the COVID-19 Crisis Relief and Stabilization Application, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Raymond John Wean Foundation and The Youngstown Foundation have quickly disbursed money to local organizations during the pandemic.
The application is available on the websites of all three organizations: CFMV.org, RJWeanFdn.org and YoungstownFoundation.org.
Since the joint application was released in March, the three foundations have partnered to award 104 grants totaling $1.6 million.
“While we are grateful to have partnered with the Community Foundation and the Youngstown Foundation, the declining number of grant applications and the responses from our community survey suggest a shift in the approach to the pandemic this fall,” said Jennifer Roller, Wean Foundation president, in a statement. “We are now focusing on what we’ve learned collectively in an effort to stabilize organizations long term.”
Possible future deadlines for the COVID-19 application, as well as additional opportunities for collaborative grantmaking, are currently being explored, the leaders of the foundations said in a joint statement. After the deadline, grant seekers are encouraged to visit each foundation’s website or the organizations for more information on grant strategies.
“The common application has been a powerful tool for the community,” said Shari Harrell, president of the Community Foundation. “And we will use all of the lessons learned from this collaborative work as we continue exploring the best ways to support our nonprofit partners during this extended crisis.”
Added Youngstown Foundation Executive Director Jan Strasfeld: “This in no way diminishes local philanthropy’s prioritization of addressing the growing and devastating impact of this pandemic on our community. We are just as committed as ever to meet the needs head on.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
