YOUNGSTOWN - The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants to 27 local non-profits in the Mahoning Valley.

This funding includes $100,000 to the new Clarence R. Smith Jr. Family Mahoning County First Responder Wellness Center in Boardman, a facility dedicated to the mental and physical well-being of first responders throughout the Mahoning Valley.

The grant helped renovate the main house into a wellness hub with counseling rooms, recreation areas and gathering spaces. Also planned is a physical wellness annex with fitness and rehabilitation plans specifically designed for first responders.

"This wellness center represents the best of what our community can do when we come together to care for those who serve us," said Youngstown Foundation President Lynette Ford.

Another $125,000 grant was awarded to the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley's "Grow Our Mission" capital campaign, which is raising funds for more space at the Youngstown shelter. 

The proposed new housing will accommodate up to 140 additional individuals nightly and increase capacity from 186 to 326.

The campaign also supports ongoing programs that provide food and job readiness to individuals and families at the shelter. 

According to a press release from the Youngstown Foundation, this is the largest contribution to the campaign to date.

Another $200,000 was awarded to Students Motivated by the Arts (SMARTS), which provides programming in music, visual arts, theater and dance for students with special needs.

The funding will enable SMARTS to continue its program for students in preschool through 12th grade.

Another $100,000 was awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown to support its mental health program, which helps young people develop positive behaviors like staying physically active, practicing stress reduction techniques and building interpersonal skills.

Another $114,350 was awarded to Golden String Inc., a non-profit that serves individuals with special needs in the Mahoning Valley. This grant will support plans for a greenhouse that will offer learning opportunities and gardening activities.

Additionally, 22 more non-profits received grant funding from the Youngstown Foundation. A complete list can be found below.

- Youngstown City Schools: $148,000 for the One Vision, One Youngstown campaign

- United Way of Youngstown: $125,000 for care closets at the Youngstown City School District (YCSD)

- Down Syndrome Association of the Valley: $110,000 for general staffing and support

- Society of St. Vincent de Paul: $75,702 for the Emergency Assistance Program

- Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition: $75,000 for the Workforce Stability Project

- Ohio Urban Renaissance: $75,000 for the community hub for youth

- Valley Partners: $75,000 for the Small Business Research Center

- Youngstown Warren Chamber Foundation: $75,000 for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence

- Adaptive Sports Ohio: $60,000 for sports for youths with disabilities

- Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries: $50,000 for Super Kids 2025

- Opera Western Reserve: $50,000 for the 2025-26 season

- Potential Development: $50,000 for an updated security system

- Junior Achievement: $25,000 for the Education and Workforce Center

- Leadership Mahoning Valley: $25,000 for operating support

- AxessPointe Community Health Centers: $20,000 for health and well-being

- The Carter House: $20,000 for an expansion project

- Kool Boiz Foundation: $20,000 for the mentoring program

- Second Harvest Food Bank: $20,000 for produce for seniors

- Humility of Mary Housing Inc.: $10,000 for personnel staffing support

- Mahoning County Public Health: $10,000 for the Baby Me and Tobacco Free Initiative

- Produce Perks Midwest Inc.: $10,000 for nutrition security