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Youngstown Foundation doles out $1.3M to agencies
YOUNGSTOWN
The Youngstown Foundation distributed grants totaling more than $1.3 million to area agencies for the first quarter of 2012.
The Foundation’s Distribution Committee awarded grants to 16 agencies totaling $1,083,842, including $701,850 to Easter Seals and Youngstown Hearing & Speech and its Operation Search & Help.
The grants were approved March 6. Also, an additional $215,000 was distributed through the Foundation’s Restricted Funds to designated local nonprofit organizations.
“Through these grants it is our goal to continue to fulfill critical needs and strengthen our community’s health care, arts and culture, education, economic development and social services for years to come,” said Janice E. Strasfeld, Foundation executive director.
Of the 16 grants awarded, eight area organizations committed to serving children with diagnosed disabilities received funds from the Hine Memorial Fund, which the foundation administers; the largest grant, $701,850, went to Easter Seals.
The grant encompasses such programs and services as Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation including the SuitAbility program, Weekend Respite Program, Outpatient Speech Pathology, Audiology, and the Deaf Kids Club. Operation Search & Help, which received $241,850 of the award, employs a caseworker to respond to the needs of individual children with disabilities. The program assists with costs not covered by other sources including medical equipment, supplies, drugs, adaptive equipment and transportation, Strasfeld said.
Other first-quarter Hine Memorial Fund grants include: Adults and Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD) Learning Center, $37,500; Youngstown YWCA, $15,000; Potential Development and ARC of Northeast Ohio, $52,339; Paula and Anthony Rich Center, $10,000; Youngstown YMCA, $51,000; Children’s Rehabilitation Center, $75,000, and Help Hotline Crisis Center, $31,403.
The ACLD Learning Center addresses disability-based learning problems for children who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Sensory Integration Disorder, developmental handicaps, speech and language disabilities, visual, auditory and motor delays, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Asperger’s Syndrome. The $37,500 grant will provide scholarships to children unable to afford the services.
Youngstown Foundation first-quarter grants include: Levy Gardens/Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, $12,750; SCORE, $1,000; Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, $20,000; Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, $20,000; Western Reserve Land Conservancy, $20,000; Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, $20,000; Hubbard Rotary Club/ Harding Park Meeting House, $5,000, and Harwood Institute for Youngstown City Schools Community Engagement Plan, $11,000.
The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, an organization of small and medium-sized, locally owned manufacturers, received $20,000 to support its initiatives to address local advanced-manufacturing employment issues and growth particularly as it relates to having a qualified, skilled work force.
Founded in 1918, the Youngstown Foundation is the largest community foundation in the Mahoning Valley, the fourth-oldest in the country and ranked in the top 100 nationally with about $85 million in charitable funds. Nearly $4.1 million in grants is awarded annually. In addition to its Unrestricted Fund, the Youngstown Foundation is composed of Donor Advised Funds, Restricted Funds and Special Interest Funds.
For information on grant application guidelines, applying for a grant, or to donate to the Foundation’s Support Fund charities, visit online at www.youngstownfoundation.org or call 330-744-0320.