Foundations Launch COVID-19 Relief Application

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — In an effort to support nonprofit organizations serving Mahoning Valley residents most impacted by COVID-19, three area foundations have created a common funding application to simplify the grant request process.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, the Raymond John Wean Foundation and the Youngstown Foundation released the COVID-19 Crisis Relief Application, which can be accessed on all three foundation websites. It allows charitable organizations to submit the same proposal to any one of the foundations or all three at the same time, according to a release.

Foundations review applications collaboratively, so applicants should ensure their total request amount reflects their organization’s entire need, the release states. Funded proposals may receive a combination of funding from one or more of the foundations.

Foundation leaders regularly met before the outbreak of COVID-19 – the disease spread by coronavirus – but all three believe expanded collaboration is now imperative in order to strengthen the regional response to COVID-19 and better support local nonprofit organizations, the release states.

“Years of sharing information and building a familiarity with one another’s giving has provided the strong foundation needed to execute this coordinated effort. My hope is that beyond the crisis, and we will get beyond it, we use this model and begin to look toward this as a promising practice for future collective grantmaking,” said Jennifer Roller, president of the Wean Foundation.

In addition to a coordinated application, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley launched the Mahoning Valley Community Response Fund. With commitments from CFMV’s three affiliated foundations, several component funds and outside donors, the Response Fund has already made several grants to address immediate needs. Contributions to the emergency fund can be made at CFMV.org/response-fund.

The Youngstown Foundation is also seeking donations for their Crisis Assistance Fund and Support Fund program, the latter of which adds 10% to any donation made to the program’s participating nonprofits. More information on both opportunities can be found at YoungstownFoundation.org/give/donate-now.aspx.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.