YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Foundation has awarded $1.2 million in grants, including $400,000 to the Butler Institute of American Art to support two major renovation projects.

“We’re pleased to support the vital work of the Butler in its efforts to enhance accessibility and educational excellence,” said Lynnette Forde, Youngstown Foundation president. “The Butler is a beacon of art and culture that uniquely enriches our community and draws visitors from across the country and around the world.”

The renovations will support the preservation of the Butler’s collection and help establish a creativity center for programs in art, education and entrepreneurship.

“For over 100 years, the Butler has served our community in multiple realms,” said Joyce Mistovich, education director at the Butler. “We are grateful to the Youngstown Foundation for its generous gift enabling us to serve a broad spectrum of children and adults as we implement educational and cultural programs for our visitors with interactive experiences engaging diverse audiences. We look forward to our growth and community partnerships.”

The work and the foundation’s support are essential to the museum’s effort to regain accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, said Louis Zona, executive director and chief curator at the Butler.

“These projects align with our mission to support artistic and educational programs and provide equitable access to our patrons and visitors,” Zona said. “The preservation project in particular will enhance our storage facilities and ensure the longevity of our collection.”

Sixteen other local nonprofit organizations were awarded Youngstown Foundation grants, including:

• Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Capacity to Build Affordable Housing, $200,000

• Youngstown Symphony Society, DeYor Performing Arts Center support, $200,000

• Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra support, $100,000

• Youngstown City Scape Inc., operating support, $75,000

• United Returning Citizens Inc., operating support, $75,000

• Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, support for Foster, Connect program, $50,000

• Game Changers, Grad and Go!, $40,000

• Vision To Learn, expanded access to vision care, $25,000

• Promise Community Hub, operations and summer camp, $20,000

• LIT Youngstown, operating support, $20,000

• Dorothy Day House of Hospitality, Food for the Soul, $12,000

• STEM Is Us 2.0, operating support, $12,480

• Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, Girl Scout leadership experience, $7,000

• A M Wake up Call, Amanda — The Play, $5,000

• McGuffey Centre, remedial math tutoring program, $3,600

• Coleman Health Services, essential medical equipment, $3,500