Foundation celebrates new space

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley celebrated its newly renovated space at an open house Thursday evening.

The foundation relocated within the Commerce Building, 201 E. Commerce St., to Suite 150. The new office is adjacent to its older office on the building’s first floor.

The organization temporarily relocated to the former Youngstown Club in the fall while renovations started in December. They were completed within six weeks.

“It gives us a little more space,” said Shari Harrell, foundation president.

The new space is about 1,430 square feet, compared with its previous space of 1,300 square feet. But Harrell said the old space was split with a meeting room in the lower level of the building. The new space is laid out more efficiently for the foundation’s purposes with everything on one floor, she said.

“I think we’re poised for growth,” said Shelley Taylor Odille, foundation chairwoman.

Founded in 2000, the Community Foundation has awarded $15 million to more than 350 charities and educational institutions in the community.