Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley - General Grant

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley provides a broad grantmaking program designed to support nonprofit organizations that address community needs within the Mahoning Valley region. The Foundation serves as a convener and philanthropic partner to local donors and agencies and operates with a mission to support long-term community well-being. It serves Mahoning and Trumbull counties in Ohio and facilitates charitable giving through donor-advised and other grantmaking funds. The Foundation does not maintain rigid funding priorities. Instead, its open application program invites a wide variety of proposals addressing the health, safety, welfare, and enrichment of Mahoning Valley residents. Proposals are reviewed not only by the Foundation’s internal grant committee but also shared with fund advisors who may choose to co-fund applications aligning with their philanthropic goals. This structure allows for a broader range of opportunities to be considered and potentially funded, particularly for organizations that can articulate a strong alignment with community needs. Applicants must be organizations operating in or serving the Mahoning Valley region. There is no specified funding floor or ceiling, and the Foundation has not disclosed a total funding pool or anticipated number of awards. Awards are determined based on the strength of the proposal, community impact, and alignment with donor interests. The Foundation has not indicated any specific allowable or disallowed uses of funding, but proposals should demonstrate measurable community benefit. The fourth quarter grant cycle is currently open, with a final application deadline of October 15. There is no indication of a pre-application or letter of intent requirement. All applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online grant portal. As of August 6, 2025, a user interface update has been implemented on the applicant dashboard, improving navigation. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Grantseeker Resources and Tutorials section on the Foundation’s website for guidance in using the updated system. The Foundation has not provided details regarding the specific evaluation criteria or review timeline. There are also no stated dates for award announcements or disbursements. However, based on the quarterly cycle, it can be reasonably inferred that decisions for the fourth quarter are likely rendered by the end of the calendar year. Applications are reviewed by the Foundation and by the donor-advised funds participating in the grantmaking process. Contact information for the program administrator or a grant officer is not explicitly listed. Those seeking assistance are directed to the Foundation's Grantseeker Resources and Tutorials section online. There is no requirement for a matching contribution, and eligibility is limited to organizations based in or serving Mahoning Valley communities. This opportunity recurs quarterly, with October 15 marking the final deadline of the year. The next cycle would likely open in early 2026.

Applicants are directed to review the Grantseeker Resources and Tutorials section for help navigating the portal.