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Valley foundations, United Ways join forces to fund

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Rather than respond to the COVID-19 crisis in isolation, 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 residents.

“While our organizations each have established priorities and funding guidelines, we are all committed to coordinating efforts,” the funders said in a joint statement on Monday.

“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 to six weeks out) and long-term needs of the community, we 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,” the funders said.

The message came from:

Shari Harrell, The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley

Paul Homick, Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley

Jennifer Roller, The Raymond John Wean Foundation

Ginny Pasha, United Way of Trumbull County

Bob Hannon, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley

Jan Strasfeld, The Youngstown Foundation

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

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley

Mahoning Valley Community Response Fund

Mercy Health Foundation

https://foundation.mercy.com/youngstown/give.aspx?from=/youngstown.aspx

United Way of Trumbull County

https://www.unitedwaytrumbull.org/covid-19-relief-fund

or Text TRUMBULL to 41444

United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley

COVID-19 Response Fund

or Text COVID19 to 313131

The Youngstown Foundation

https://www.youngstownfoundation.org/give/donate-now.aspx

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