William Swanston Charitable Fund Grants

The William Swanston Charitable Fund supports children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties facing crises, focusing on those affected by abuse, neglect, or dependency. In 2024, the fund prioritizes innovative projects aimed at reducing disparities in health, education, and child welfare. This initiative aims to empower children by addressing systemic challenges and fostering equitable opportunities for success, ensuring that their potential is recognized and nurtured within the community.

About the William Swanston Charitable Fund
The William Swanston Charitable Fund is committed to supporting children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties who have experienced crises, including those who are/have been abused, neglected or dependent (children reliant on others and/or external systems of support, besides parents, for their care). Those experiences can limit opportunities for their gifts and talents to fully manifest throughout their lives. The Swanston Fund is the legacy of a local farmer who cared about his community and who wanted to uplift the well-being of others, especially children.
Granting Priorities
No child is the sum of the challenges and adversities they may have encountered, and all children deserve an equitable chance to pursue success. Reflecting on its commitment to fostering transformative change in the lives of children, The William Swanston Charitable Fund will prioritize their grant making in 2024 for innovative projects that prevent or reduce the risk factors that can create disparities and create opportunities for all children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties to thrive in the following areas:
Health and Wellness – – Initiatives that can result in greater opportunities for children to excel by providing prevention and early intervention:Mental and Behavior Health
Maternal and Infant Health
Community Conditions (food access, crime and violence, housing, spaces for physical activity)Education –  Initiatives addressing the race and income disparities in education that exist in the following areas:Kindergarten Readiness
8th Grade Math Proficiency
High School Graduation/College & Career ReadinessChildren’s Services – Initiatives that address the intersection of child welfare and parental substance abuse and/or parental incarceration, or initiatives that address the needs of youth involved with the juvenile justice system.

Eligibility

Target PopulationThe William Swanston Charitable Fund is interested in transforming the lives of Mahoning Valley children confronted with challenges to equitable opportunity. Research shows that children in the below demographics have been most adversely impacted by societal neglect and community disinvestment over time, and are therefore the primary target for support from Swanston:Low-incomeNon-Hispanic BlackHispanicLiving in the cities of Youngstown and Warren, as well as a few select disinvested communitiesChildren facing challenges based on their experience(s) with abuse, neglect, dependency, and/or their experience with Children’s Welfare or Juvenile Justice systems.