Friday is the deadline for letters of inquiry

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Western Reserve Health Foundation and the Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation are soliciting grant proposals for innovative programs that serve health needs in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

The foundations, affiliates of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, have set deadlines of Friday for initial letters of inquiry.

The required forms and information about funding priorities are available at the WRHF and TMHF sections of the Community Foundation website at www.cfmv.org. Those invited to submit full proposals will be notified whether their proposals are accepted or rejected by early April.

The WRHF, which serves residents of Mahoning County, recently announced nearly $200,000 in grants for initiatives including those that promote juvenile rehabilitation, infant health, and health insurance access.

The TMHF, which serves Trumbull County, recently announced nearly $200,000 in grants for programs including those that advance women’s health, health insurance access, and home food delivery.

“Both foundations support programs that might not otherwise exist,” said Shari Harrell, president of the Community Foundation.

“In weighing applications, the foundations give strong consideration to the needs specified in the community health assessments developed by the Mahoning and Trumbull county health departments,” Harrell said.

For example, priorities in the Mahoning County assessment include promoting healthful living and eating, addressing infant mortality, unhealthy birth outcomes and diabetes.

Health assessment priorities developed by the Trumbull County Health Department include improving access to health care, reducing crime and drug abuse, and protecting the environment.

Both foundations are successors to organizations that supported local hospitals.

The WRHF was established in the 1980s as the fundraising arm of the Western Reserve Care System, and TMHF began as the Trumbull Memorial Hospital Foundation in 1976. Since 2012, both have operated separately from their hospitals and enlarged their missions with a countywide scope.