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Youngstown Foundation approves $500K in grants, $100K for Autism Society of Mahoning Valley

By Staff Report
A $100,000 grant will help the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley open a new office and expand services to support individuals with autism. Pictured are board president Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer, administrative assistant Anna Masi, and executive director Jodi Glass.
A $100,000 grant will help the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley open a new office and expand services to support individuals with autism. Pictured are board president Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer, administrative assistant Anna Masi, and executive director Jodi Glass. Courtesy

The Youngstown Foundation recently announced $492,960 in new grants, including a $100,000 award to the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley to support its ongoing operations and growth, including the opening of a new office in downtown Youngstown.

The office, located at 241 W. Federal St., will provide opportunities for in-person support for families and individuals with autism.

“The Autism Society serves as such a wonderful resource, providing guidance, referrals, programming and expertise specific to the needs of individuals with autism and their families,” said Lynnette Forde, president of the Youngstown Foundation. “We’re proud to continue to support their impactful work.”

The nonprofit supports individuals with autism and their networks through practical advice, resources, service referrals, community engagement and broader inclusion, with programs such as its Helpline, family outings, support groups, age- and stage-based programming, summer camps, holiday events, educational forums and workforce assistance.

“While we’re proud to have served over 2,300 individuals this past year, we know there are thousands more across our tri-county area who still need our support,” said Jodi Glass, executive director of the nonprofit. “By supporting the expansion into our first permanent physical office in 15 years and the intentional restructuring of our programs, this grant ensures that we can scale our operations to meet the needs of every age and stage of autism in the Mahoning Valley.

“The Youngstown Foundation has long been a champion of the vital work we do at the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley and we are deeply grateful for their continued belief in our mission and their ongoing partnership,” added Glass.

Grant Support for Affordable Housing

The Youngstown Foundation also announced a $25,000 grant for the Mahoning County Land Bank to support its work in providing more affordable housing options through home renovations.

The Land Bank helps residents, businesses, investors, local governments and community development partners reclaim and repurpose distressed, abandoned and/or tax-delinquent properties into productive, tax-paying assets.

The grant will support the Land Bank’s “Make It Yours” renovation program, through which it acquires houses and makes major improvements to roofs, foundations, doors, windows and utilities, leaving interior improvements for future homeowners, who can purchase the houses at below-market rates.

The average home sales price in Mahoning County is estimated to be between $195,000 and $210,000, reports Roger Smith, Land Bank director of planning, acquisition and disposition.

“The Make It Yours program will enable us to offer high-quality housing at well below those market rates for those in the workforce who, with some sweat equity, need or want homeownership but may not be in a financial position to purchase in the current market,” Smith said.

Additional Youngstown Foundation Grants

Fifteen additional local organizations received the following Youngstown Foundation grant awards:

  • Youngstown Area Jewish Federation (Community Programming), $75,000
  • Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries (Regional Social Information Exchange Network), $75,000
  • Lake to River Foundation (Organizational Growth and Early Operations Support), $50,000
  • Dylan’s House (Leadership that Builds Homes & Futures), $35,000
  • Moab House (Housing and Support for Former Foster Youth), $25,000
  • Thrive Mahoning Valley (Operating Support), $25,000
  • Bess Purpose Incorporated (Operating Support), $20,000
  • Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley (HUB Heat Exchanger Replacement Project), $16,460
  • God’s Warehouse Inc. (Operating Support), $10,000
  • Philanthropy Ohio (Advocacy), $9,000
  • Ballet Western Reserve (Summer 2026 Operations), $7,500
  • Canfield Historical Society (Emergency Grant), $5,000
  • Community Connection (Real Talk Hangout Series), $5,000
  • SCORE Akron & Canton (Operating Support), $5,000
  • The DadBROS (Monthly Father-Child Engagement Activities), $5,000