Wean Foundation announces its grants

Staff report

WARREN

The Raymond John Wean Foundation recently awarded $105,736 to 27 resident-led organizations seeking to transform their neighborhoods and communities. The funds were awarded as part of Neighborhood SUCCESS, a program of the foundation that supports grassroots organizations seeking to develop resident participation and leadership, promote communication and collaboration among residents and build on existing resources in communities. The program provides annual grants of $500 to $5,000 for projects aligned with the foundation’s strategic priorities of community revitalization, economic opportunity, educational opportunity and public-service leadership.

Organizations seeking grants participate in a process that includes an orientation, technical assistance workshops and interviews. Funding decisions are made by a council composed of residents from Warren and Youngstown. Those seeking grants must match the amount they are seeking with volunteer labor, cash and in-kind donations.

Among the 2018 grantees are the Junior Organizers, a group of Warren G. Harding students, working to create meaningful opportunities to support other youths through mentoring and enrichment. In Youngstown, West Princeton Block Club is working to transform a vacant lot into a Peace Corner for neighbors to gather, have recreation and meditation. Since 2008, the program has awarded $1.6 million to more than 485 projects in the Mahoning Valley.