Wean Foundation: Community Investment Grants

The Wean Foundation's Community Investment Grants support organizations that prioritize resident engagement and address racial equity challenges in the Mahoning Valley. With grants starting at $5,000, they focus on community revitalization, economic and educational opportunities, and civic leadership. Eligible organizations must demonstrate nonprofit status, mission alignment, and capacity to implement viable solutions. The foundation aims to foster sustainable change through funding that reflects the community's demographics and needs.

NOTE:

• The initial step in the Community Investment Grants process is to contact the Grant Manager.Submissions are reviewed year-round for quarterly board review.
• About Us

The Wean Foundation believes a healthy community is one where residents are engaged, civic organizations are operating at a level of excellence, and strong networks form alliances around shared interests and ambitions.
Led by our values, we fund the development and implementation of viable solutions led by organizations whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities they serve.
Strategic Priorities
We focus support on viable solutions well-aligned with our mission, values, racial equity outcomes and the strategic priorities of:

• Community Revitalization
• Economic Opportunity
• Educational Opportunity
• Public and Civic Sector Leadership
• Value Alignment

We support the development and implementation of viable solutions and organizations whose work strongly aligns with our values and whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities in which they work.
Race Equity & Inclusion
We prioritize principles of racial equity to focus attention and resources on the Mahoning Valley’s most entrenched challenges. Our grantmaking seeks to address long-held assumptions, redistribute decision-making power, and challenge the lack of equitable access to resources, knowledge and opportunity.
Capacity Building
We support the sustainability (strong leadership, thoughtful strategy and impact) of organizations with a focus on Black and Hispanic/Latinx-led organizations. The WeanFolio, when reviewed by staff, includes the identification of potential capacity building opportunities including best practices, networking opportunities and leadership development.
Funding for the development and implementation of viable solutions (correct analysis, sound tactics and well-designed end results) aligned with our values and strategic priorities.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an organization must be:

• Nonprofit / 501(c)(3) status
• Values and mission alignment
• Sound and thoughtful approach to addressing at least one of our strategic priorities
• Evident indicators that the organization has the capacity to carry out the work