Western Reserve Health Foundation Grants

The Western Reserve Health Foundation Grants aim to enhance the health and well-being of Mahoning County residents by addressing diverse health disparities. Grants support innovative projects aligned with the 2023-2025 Community Health Improvement Plan, focusing on mental health, access to care, and community safety. Eligible not-for-profit organizations can apply for funding to implement solutions that directly benefit local populations, with a preference for those connected to the Healthy Community Partnership.

NOTE: Rolling application submission allows applicants to work on and submit their grant request at any time; all completed applications will be considered following the next deadline after submission, and funding decisions are typically made within three months of each grant cycle deadline.
The Western Reserve Health Foundation seeks to improve the health and well-being of all residents of Mahoning County. We recognize that residents experience varying degrees of health based on the structures, cultures, and geographies in which they are situated. For example, some problems are experienced more intensely by different racial or ethnic \ populations; rural or urban communities; women; LGBTQAI+ persons; or people with disabilities. Therefore, the varying size and scope of our grants will reflect the different depths and complexities of these barriers to ensure all residents can equitably achieve and maintain health and well-being.
Granting Priorities
Innovative projects that address the current priorities and strategies identified by the 2023-2025 Mahoning County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP):Mental Health and Substance Abuse:Leverage community coalitions to expand evidence-based practices especially in community-based settingsImplement Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training with local police jurisdictionsAccess to Care:Increase culturally congruent connection to services for Mahoning Valley residents in high social vulnerability index areasUtilize partnerships to increase screenings in underserved areas and populationsDevelop stronger data tools to measure access to careFacilitate provision of data and identification of community champions for policies that promote access to careCommunity Conditions & Safety:Address housing qualityExpand public transit access and connectivity, including pedestrian accessIncrease greenspace and safe parksIncrease access to healthy foodOrganizations and programs that address needs of cancer patients and/or their families.
In addition, the Western Reserve Health Foundation considers how an organization works and who leads the work. Strong proposals will incorporate the following:
Individuals with personal knowledge or direct experience have key roles in planning & implementation.Success is clearly defined as are plans to achieve it and evaluate results toward it.Qualitative and quantitative data is used to inform approach and measure impact.Underlying social and economic challenges contributing to poor health are addressed, such as racial inequity, poverty, as well as barriers to healthy food, quality housing and safe parks/recreational spaces.Projected outcomes include change in policies, systems and environments to help make healthy options practical and readily available in an equitable manner to all residents.Requested funds will leverage other public and private funding sources.

Eligibility

We make grants to organizations that are deemed not-for-profit by the IRS, such as 501(c)3s, religious organizations, schools and government entities.If you’re not registered with the IRS, you may apply through a fiscal sponsor.Activities must directly benefit residents of Mahoning or Trumbull Counties (or the surrounding areas).Grants may cover organizations' programmatic, general operating, or capital needs.If your previous request was declined, you are welcome to apply again.While we do not prohibit reapplying in a set period of time, we do not encourage multiple, frequent requests from an organization.

Ineligibility

Requests from individuals.Requests to fund activities to influence election campaigns.Requests for retroactive funding for projects that have been completed or will be completed prior to the grant award date are typically not supported.