YOUNGSTOWN — The William Swanston Charitable Fund has changed its request for proposals — establishing health and wellness, education and children’s services as new priorities for the 2019-20 grantmaking year.

The William Swanston Charitable Fund, established in 1919, is the legacy of a local farmer who cared about his community and who wanted to uplift the well-being of others, especially children.

Today, the fund is committed to supporting children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties who have experienced crises, including those who are/have been abused, neglected or dependent.

It has provided grants for early childhood education, health and fitness initiatives, after-school programs, parent-involvement seminars, anti-bullying measures and many other efforts in support of local children. The Swanston Fund is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

The fund invites inquiries from nonprofit organizations for innovative projects that prevent or reduce the risk factors that can create disparities, and that create opportunities for all children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties to thrive.

Proposals should address prevention and / or immediate needs, and priority will be given to programs and services in health and wellness, education and children’s services.

Interested grant applicants must first submit a letter of inquiry by Dec. 13, 2019. Detailed information on each focus area, as well as a letter of inquiry form, can be found in the Swanston Fund section of the Community Foundation website, www.cfmv.org.

Organizations with approved inquiries will be notified in February 2020 and will be invited to submit a full proposal, due in March 2020. Final grant decisions will be announced in May 2020.

Those with questions about the grant process or request for proposals can contact Casey Krell, director of supporting organizations and donor services, at 330-743-5555 or ckrell@cfmv.org.

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