Empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley
The Raymond John Wean Foundation is dedicated to equitable community building in underresourced communities of Warren and Youngstown in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley.
In partnership with residents, we challenge the conditions that hold problems in place. We leverage a dynamic combination of grantmaking, capacity building, convening and partnerships to provoke new thinking, strengthen communities and disrupt the status quo to achieve our vision — empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley.
Strategic Priorities
We focus our support on viable solutions well-aligned with our mission, values, racial equity outcomes and strategic priorities:
- Community Revitalization
- Economic Opportunity
- Educational Opportunity
- Public and Civic Sector Leadership
Upcoming Events
Resident Engagement Grant Workshops
The Wean Foundation offers a grant opportunity for those leading resident engagement efforts in the cities of Warren and Youngstown. To be considered for a grant of up to $5,000, grassroots organizations and resident groups must first attend one of our Resident Engagement Grant workshops.
Addressing systemic racism in the Mahoning Valley
At the Wean Foundation, we prioritize principles of racial equity to focus attention and resources on our community’s most entrenched challenges. We believe fresh approaches are an urgent necessity. For too long, our community has struggled to find lasting solutions to our most pressing concerns. Challenges remain. Disparities deepen. Racism persists.
The time has come for a change. Today, our grantmaking, capacity building and operations address long-held assumptions, redistribute decision-making power and challenge the lack of equitable access to resources, knowledge and opportunity.
Grantmaking
Funding the development and implementation of viable solutions led by organizations whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities in which they work.
Capacity Building
Supporting the strong leadership, strategy and impact of Black and Hispanic/Latinx-led organizations.
Convening and Partnerships
Defining challenges, formulating solutions and taking collective action, with Black and Hispanic/Latinx-led organizations who have a stake in the decisions being made.