Working together to create an equitable and economically stable Mahoning Valley

Capacity Building Series

Resident Engagement Grant Prerequisite Workshops

Twice a year, The Raymond John Wean Foundation offers a grant opportunity for those leading resident engagement efforts in Warren and Youngstown. To be considered for a grant, grassroots organizations and resident groups must first attend one of our Resident Engagement Grant workshops.

Though we consider the residents doing the work the experts, we curate programming with content experts who share valuable information and provide hands-on support in areas critical for small nonprofits. You will have an opportunity to refine your application and budget, learn best practices for conveying your organization’s mission and impact to funders, and make valuable connections with other local organizations and groups you may want to partner with in the future.

During workshops, grantseekers will have the opportunity to refine their application and budget to submit their application for funding.

Please contact Aditi Srivastava, Program Officer, Grantmaking with any questions. Check back soon for information on the Fall 2025 sessions.

REI Workshops

(Virtual & in-person options available)

Join us for this dynamic two-day workshop designed to develop the capacity of participants to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms. Participants move away from a focus on personal bigotry and bias, to understand a historical, cultural and structural analysis of racism.

Since 2017, nearly 1,000 Mahoning Valley residents have participated in one of the Wean Foundation-sponsored REI workshops. The sessions are coordinated by ThirdSpace Action Lab, a Cleveland-based racial equity consultancy, and administered by the Racial Equity Institute of Greensboro, North Carolina.

2025 REI Workshop Dates

• June 4-5, 2025 (in person)
• August 6-7, 2025 (virtual)

Click below to register through ThirdSpace Action Lab.

The Wean Foundation will launch its first Nonprofit Leadership Cohort in early 2025. Cohort members were announced in December. Over eight months, the program will provide 15 mid-career nonprofit professionals with coaching, peer-to-peer learning and opportunities to implement skills learned within their organizations. The program is open to those currently employed at Wean Foundation grantees or potential grantees whose work aligns with our strategic priorities, with an emphasis on the under-resourced, including Black and Hispanic/Latinx leaders.

Experience

Participants will engage in self-assessments and monthly sessions that emphasize critical areas such as personal development, strategic planning, leadership communication, and more. The dynamic curriculum will begin and end with immersive retreats.

The Cohort will focus on cultivating key competencies that are vital for personal and programmatic leadership, including:

• Transformational and Inclusive Leadership Skills
• Strategic Thinking and Planning
• Financial Management and Fundraising
• Team Building and Cohesion
• Board Governance and Compliance

Opportunity

Upon completing the program, Cohort members’ organizations will have the chance to apply for a Strategic Partners Fellowship. The Fellowship enables them to grow within their organization and ensures they are fairly and appropriately compensated for their advancement.

This initiative represents the Wean Foundation’s ongoing dedication to empowering leaders who can create inclusive environments, drive organizational success and significantly enhance the quality of life in the Mahoning Valley.

The inaugural cohort members were announced in December.

Please contact Victor Ruiz, victor@gradientthinktank.com, or Fallon Peterson, fpeterson@weanfoundation.org, with questions or for more information.

By attending Wean Foundation events, you consent to the capture of your image, likeness and voice through photography, videography and recordings for ethical and discretionary use, distribution, and/or reproduction by the Wean Foundation.

Wean Park Events

Year-round

Experience all that the Wean Park complex offers, including the Great Lawn, Huntington Bank Community Alley and The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. Check the Wean Park website for event schedule, news and updates.