YOUNGSTOWN — The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, along with its supporting foundations, has awarded more than $706,000 in grants to 50 area nonprofit organizations in this year’s first round of funding.

Fund holders awarded $311,700 via the foundation’s general grant.

More specifically, the Western Reserve Health System awarded $153,784 to projects to support health equity in Mahoning County. In Trumbull County, the Trumbull Memorial Health System awarded nearly the same amount for the same purpose.

Consequently, the Youngstown State University campus recreation center has received more than $50,000, including $5,000 from the foundation. In addition, the facility was the recipient of a total of $47,574 from the Western Reserve and Trumbull Memorial health systems.

The money will go toward funding a community recreation graduate assistant position to advocate for additional parks, recreation and programs to benefit students and residents in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

“These projects do all important work that makes our community a better place for all,” Casey Krell, foundation president, said in a statement. “We are honored to continue supporting our local nonprofits this year.”

“Working with both the city of Youngstown and the university has shown that there is a strategic commitment to grow student and community offerings surrounding recreation, as well as mental and physical wellness,” Ryan McNicholas, director of campus recreation, said. “The opportunity for this position will benefit many people and will allow us to keep moving forward.”

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