“We want them to thrive:” Wean Foundation set to distribute over $3M this year
The Raymond John Wean Foundation is on course to distribute more than $3 million in grants in 2023.
That includes more than $80,000 of Resident Engagement Grants to support community-building in Warren and Youngstown neighborhoods.
The board of directors of The Raymond John Wean Foundation approved a total of more than $1.5 million in Community Investment Grants to seven nonprofits in the Mahoning Valley.
The board approved an additional $300,000 to support the equitable compensation of nonprofit talent across the grantees.
Equitable nonprofit compensation has become an increasing focus of the Wean Foundation over the last few years, according to president Jennifer Roller.
“We have come to the conclusion that a critical element of nonprofit success that is often missing is fair pay,” said Roller. “What we also know is the burden of low pay in the nonprofit sector falls disproportionately on women and minorities. We don’t just want nonprofits and their workers to survive; we want them to thrive.”
Grants supporting education
One of the grants is going to Kent State University-Trumbull.
The money will be used for the Building Black Leaders program, which provides Black, biracial and multiracial students with personal, professional and academic support.
The two-year grant will provide emergency funding, a study away experience for students and the ability to hire a student to support the program.
“Our Building Black Leaders Program aims to empower and enrich Black college students to become leaders in the classroom, community and in the lives of others,” said Tiffany Tyree, assistant director of the program at Kent State University-Trumbull. “The grant and support from the Wean Foundation will enable us to push forward with the program mission and carry out what is needed to assist our Black students in defining and achieving their own ideas of academic, personal and professional success.”
Youngstown City School District’s Rayen Early College High School also received a grant.
YCSD will use the money for one year of the Summer Bridge program; it supports incoming freshmen transitioning to high school with academics and social-emotional well-being.
Grants supporting community revitalization
This year, the Wean Foundation also supported the Boston Avenue Neighborhood Association (BANA), which is focused on creating safe neighborhood spaces on the south side of Youngstown.
The grant will be used for general operating support over two years, including support for a fellow dedicated to building capacity in marketing, fundraising and outreach.
The Wean Foundation also gave money to the Economic Action Group, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership for each organization’s general operating costs.
The Economic Action Group provides economic development and entrepreneurial assistance programming within Youngstown and Warren.
The Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership works to empower residents and promote sustainable community development in Warren.
Grant supporting public and civic sector leadership
Philanthropy Ohio received a grant from the Wean Foundation. The money is meant to support advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and furthering its membership within the philanthropic sector of the Mahoning Valley over one year.
Visit the Wean Foundation website for more information about grant opportunities.
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