Valley foundations, United Ways coordinate coronavirus response

YOUNGSTOWN, March 23 – In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, local foundations and United Ways are working collectively to support Mahoning Valley nonprofits and residents. 

Six local funders—The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Mercy Health Foundation of Mahoning Valley, The Raymond John Wean Foundation, United Way of Trumbull County, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, The Youngstown Foundation—pledge to leverage resources, informational and monetary, to strengthen investments made to address COVID-19 and its impact on Valley residents. 

While local organizations each have established priorities and funding guidelines, all are committed to coordinating efforts. Organization leaders will convene weekly to share information, communicate emerging needs and grant decisions and collaborate on project funding when possible. This expanded communication is intended to ensure donations are distributed efficiently and will increase the impact of each contribution. 

Many agencies and nonprofits are being challenged as they face increased needs from their current clients and an influx of new individuals and families seeking help. First steps for this funding partnership include gathering information from local agencies and individuals on the impact of this virus and its consequences. Assessing the immediate, short-term (two-six weeks out) and long-term needs of the community, organizations will work together to respond to those identified critical needs and continue to reassess as this virus presents new challenges almost on an hourly basis.

Several partners have established COVID-19 funds and any donations to support those funds and increase the power of subsequent community investments are welcome. Links to donation pages are listed at the bottom of this page. 

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The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has taken the nation by surprise and called on Mahoning Valley residents to support one another. This funding partnership and the coordination of local foundations and United Ways will further strengthen that support and the community’s ability to overcome each obstacle encountered. \

Participating foundations and United Ways include:

• The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Shari Harrell, president
• Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, Paul Homick, president
• The Raymond John Wean Foundation, Jennifer Roller, president
• United Way of Trumbull County, Ginny Pasha, president
• United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Bob Hannon, president
• The Youngstown Foundation, Jan Strasfeld, executive director

If you are looking to make a donation, there are various ways you can put your dollars back into the community:

• The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley – Response Fund
• Mercy Health Foundation – Give
• United Way of Trumbull County – Relief Fund or Text TRUMBULL to 41444
• United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley – Response Fund or Text COVID19 to 313131
• The Youngstown Foundation – Donate Now

Any questions, call Roxann Sebest, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, at 330-746-8494 or you can directly contact any of the above organizations.  

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