YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is offering up to $2,500 in financial aid for families of sick children.

The Foundation is currently accepting applications for children and families and the DreamCatchers for Kids wish funds. Due to the unknown and the need, the Foundation has reallocated additional funds to help families in any way possible.

"Money can be used for a variety of equipment, prescriptions, treatments and therapy," said Anthony Spano, Founder and Executive Director of The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. "There's a variety of things, the spectrum is wide. As long as it fits the diagnosis of what you're asking for, and we can fund it, we look at a case by case basis. We look at it deep and make sure the money goes the right way."

In order to apply for these grants, applicants can go on the Foundation's website and click on the "Grants" tab. There, you can choose one of three different types of grants.

Applications for the financial assistance grants and non-profit grants must be filed by December 31, 2022, but applications for the DreamCatchers for Kids grant are accepted year round unless stated otherwise.

In order to be eligible to receive financial aid, your child must have a diagnosis that fits the category of chronically and terminally ill. Applicants must provide a diagnosis from a doctor that proves the authenticity of the diagnosis.

From there, applicants will be notified via email that their application has been filed and they will be emailed once again to let them know whether they received the money or not. 

In some cases when further information on the diagnosis or special accommodations is needed, the Foundation may reach out to families over the phone for more information.

Funds are raised through the foundation's annual gala, corporate donations, grants, individual donations and several other events around the Valley.  

People can request a specific amount of money that they need as long as that amount doesn't exceed $2,500, however exceptions may be made for emergency and unusual circumstances approved by the Foundation's Executive Director or Board of Trustees.

The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is a strictly non-profit organization and all money that is donated to the organization will stay right here in the Mahoning Valley.

"We've given out hundreds of thousands of dollars," Spano said. "We've serviced thousands of families and their kids on a variety of spectrum's over the past 15 years."

"Some year's we've given out tens of thousands of funds to families," Spano said. "Need has increased since COVID-19 hit. It depends on the year."

If your child or someone you know could benefit from this program, visit HopeMV.org/grants for more information on grants through The Hope Foundation and to download application forms.

To donate, click on this link that directs you to the non-profit's website.