WARREN, OHIO—DECEMBER 18, 2023—The Raymond John Wean Foundation today announced the awardees of its latest round of Resident Engagement Grants, following the participation in October of more than 50 residents, grassroots groups and small nonprofits in a learning opportunity intended to increase understanding of and participation in the grant program. Of those who participated, 23 groups submitted applications, of which 11 resident-led organizations received a total of $37,234 to advance their work in neighborhoods throughout Warren and Youngstown. Resident Engagement Grant awards are up to $5,000 each.
The Resident Engagement grantees include:
- Associated Neighborhood Centers, The McGuffey Centre
- Bess Purpose Inc.
- Community Volunteer Council
- Game Changers Leadership and Peer Mentoring Initiative
- Know Your Neighbor Block Watch
- Love Your Community
- Northeast Homeowners and Concerned Citizens Association
- South East Side Community Association Inc.
- Thrive Mahoning Valley
- Trumbull County Youth Organization
- Will Respect Inc.
“The number of residents and organizations who joined our workshop this fall is a clear indication that folks are actively seeking knowledge and learning so they may show up as their best in our neighborhoods,” said Wean Foundation President Jennifer Roller. “It’s our responsibility to provide capital— financial and human—to support the superhero work they do every day. In partnership, we are disrupting the status quo and building community.”
“This funding directly impacts our ability to continue to be a source for the community in providing a place to host events, to provide nutritious meals for participants of our youth and senior programs, and for future feeding programs,” said Laquita Clark, director of Associated Neighborhood Centers, The McGuffey Centre. “We are especially grateful for our partnership with the Wean Foundation. We look forward to strengthening our partnership and collaborating on future endeavors to better serve our community.”
Previously known as Neighborhood SUCCESS, the Wean Foundation’s Resident Engagement Grants are intended for grassroots organizations and smaller, less established nonprofits and groups that often operate without any paid staff. Including the round of Resident Engagement Grants in the spring, the Wean Foundation awarded a total of $80,664 to 22 groups in 2023 to support community building in Warren and Youngstown neighborhoods.
Since 2008, more than 250 unique grassroots organizations have received over $1.9 million in funding to activate and sustain critical neighborhood supports and solutions.
The Wean Foundation adjusted the long-time program earlier this year to lead with capacity building opportunities and reduce the burden on grantees during the application process. To be eligible for an award, nonprofits must first attend a Resident Engagement Grant workshop, where they have an opportunity to refine their narrative and budget before applying. Submissions are accepted two times a year, in the spring and the fall.
For more information about the Wean Foundation’s grant opportunities, visit https://www.weanfoundation.org/apply-for-grants/.
About The Wean Foundation
Established in 1949, the Wean Foundation is dedicated to community building in the under-resourced communities of Warren and Youngstown in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley. The Wean Foundation leverages a dynamic combination of grantmaking, capacity building and convening and partnerships to provoke new thinking, strengthen communities and disrupt the status quo to achieve its vision: empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley. Visit weanfoundation.org to learn more.
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