United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley Grant Program

The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley offers a competitive Community Investment funding opportunity through its 2027 Request for Proposal process. This initiative is designed to support nonprofit organizations that deliver health and human services within Mahoning County and surrounding focus communities. The organization has a long-standing mission to create positive change by collaborating with community partners to educate and empower children and families. Through this funding cycle, United Way seeks to strengthen local systems by investing in programs that address critical needs and improve long-term outcomes for individuals and families. The purpose of this grant program is to fund initiatives aligned with two primary focus areas: education and emergency services. Education funding prioritizes programs serving children from birth through eighth grade, including early learning, school readiness, youth success, and family engagement. Emergency services funding supports programs that address immediate needs such as food access, housing stability, clothing assistance, and crisis intervention. Across both focus areas, the funder emphasizes measurable impact, collaboration, and alignment with regional initiatives that contribute to long-term community resilience. Funding is awarded for a one-year period, with grant amounts expected to range between 2500 and 50000 per program. Funding begins on January 1, 2027, and supports programmatic activities that directly benefit residents within designated geographic areas. While specific restrictions are not explicitly stated, applicants are expected to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and appropriate use of funds through required financial documentation, including recent IRS Form 990 filings, audits or financial reports, and proof of liability insurance. The funder also stresses that requests should reflect actual program needs rather than maximum allowable amounts. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that provide services within Mahoning County, including specific communities such as Hubbard, Girard, and Liberty. Programs must ensure that 100 percent of participants reside within the defined service areas and must be capable of collecting and reporting demographic and geographic data annually. Applicants are also expected to participate in regional collaborations and communities of practice, reinforcing United Way’s emphasis on partnership and shared accountability. The application process is conducted entirely through the United Way’s E-CImpact online portal. Applicants must create or verify an organizational account, complete required organizational profiles, and submit all application materials electronically. The submission window opens on July 15 at 12:00 PM and closes on August 31 at 5:00 PM. Late or incomplete applications are not accepted. Applicants may submit one or more proposals and may include multiple programs within a single submission, provided all required details are entered. Evaluation of applications includes review by United Way staff and an Impact Board, with potential follow-up questions requiring responses within three business days. Additional evaluation steps may include site visits, particularly for organizations that have not previously received funding. Final funding decisions are approved by the Board of Directors in November, followed by partnership agreements and onboarding in December. Funded programs are required to submit annual reports detailing program outcomes and participant data, with reporting deadlines extending into the following year. The overall timeline reflects a structured and recurring annual process, with funding decisions leading into a January start date for program implementation. This cyclical approach allows United Way to maintain ongoing partnerships with community organizations while continually assessing impact and adapting funding priorities. For questions or clarification during the application process, applicants are directed to contact Kielly Rapp via email, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to transparency and applicant support throughout the funding cycle.

Align proposals clearly with education or emergency services focus areas; demonstrate measurable impact and strong data reporting capacity; ensure all financial documents are complete and accurate; submit early to avoid technical issues