YOUNGSTOWN/WARREN, Ohio – The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley has opened its first grant cycle for the new year, bringing with it a handful of changes to applications. Nonprofits serving Mahoning and Trumbull counties can apply any time at CFMV.org/grant-opportunities.
The most noticeable change is new deadlines for all grant applications, which have moved to the 15th of each quarter – Jan. 15, April 15, July 15 and Oct. 15. Other updates that affect all applications include simplified language for questions in the application forms, the option to select grant periods longer than one year and the addition of balance sheets to the required financial documents that must be submitted. More information on the financial documents the Community Foundation requires with applications can be found HERE or in our Putting Your Best (Financial) Foot Forward webinar HERE.
CFMV also added a glossary of terms found in grant applications that may not be everyday language for grantseekers – such as “culturally congruent” or “policy, systems and environment change” – to make sure the questions asked are easy to understand as possible. The full glossary can be found at CFMV.org/glossary.
“After collecting feedback from grantseekers throughout 2022, we worked to make this year’s application process as accessible and easy to complete as we could,” says Shari Harrell, president of the Community Foundation. “We recognize that nonprofits should be dedicating their time to their mission, not spending hours writing grants to support that work. If Valley nonprofits have input on how we can make our processes simpler, we’re always open for feedback.”
Changes were also made to the focus areas of the Western Reserve Health Foundation, which supports health-focused efforts in Mahoning County, and the Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation, which is dedicated to Trumbull County. Following recommendations from the community health improvement plans recently completed by local health agencies for Mahoning and Trumbull counties, the two health foundations will now prioritize applications that address the three focus areas laid out in the plans: mental health and substance abuse, access to care, and community conditions and safety.
Applications are also open for the William Swanston Charitable Fund, which prioritizes youth-focused projects that reduce disparities in health, education and children’s services.
These four grant opportunities – the CFMV general grant, William Swanston Charitable Fund, Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation and Western Reserve Health Foundation – are available each quarter. Other 2023 opportunities include the Young Philanthropist Fund (due April 15), the International Institute Funds (due July 15) and the Hospice Trust of Trumbull County (due Oct. 15). Applications for each grant opportunity, along with more information on each and an FAQ about our grants process, can be found at CFMV.org/grant-opportunities.
The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley strives to be a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy by partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents. The Community Foundation is the only local foundation with certification from the Community Foundation National Standards Board.