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Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio

Annual Giving
$8.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,988,195 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Quarterly board review cycle
  • Grant Range: Under $1,000 - $350,000+ (53% of grants under $1,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Mercer and Lawrence Counties, PA; Trumbull County, OH
  • Total Assets: Over $185 million
  • Total Grants Awarded (Cumulative): Over $150 million since founding

Contact Details

Address: 7 West State Street, Sharon, PA 16146

Phone: (724) 981-5882

Email: kyle@comm-foundation.org

Website: www.comm-foundation.org

Overview

The Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio was established in 1981, co-founded by Nick Strimbu. As a public, non-profit charitable organization, the foundation has grown to over $185 million in assets and has awarded over $150 million to charitable efforts throughout the region. The foundation provided $7,988,195 in grants through 234 awards in 2023. In 2024, fund advisers awarded more than $15 million in grants, with 53% of awards under $1,000, demonstrating a commitment to both major institutional support and grassroots initiatives. The foundation earned a 4-star rating (97% score) from Charity Navigator. Following a 2019 impact assessment, the foundation identified addiction and brain drain as the region's most pressing social issues and has focused on supporting programs that offer greater access for people trying to improve their lives and achieve careers that yield a living wage.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through multiple funding streams:

  • Discretionary Grants: Vary widely in size; recent data shows awards ranging from under $1,000 to $350,000+
  • Field of Interest Funds: Available through the online grant portal
  • Donor-Advised Funds: Over $15 million awarded in 2024 through fund advisers
  • Scholarship Programs: $872,000 awarded to scholarships (11% of 2020 grants)
  • Sharon Economic Development Fund: Partnership grants supporting local businesses (e.g., $150,000 distributed to eight businesses in inaugural round)

Application method: Two-stage process via online grant portal; quarterly board review

Priority Areas

Based on 2020 grant distribution:

  • Community Development (41%): $3.2 million - Including economic development initiatives and community infrastructure
  • Health and Family Services (27%): $2.2 million - With particular focus on addiction services based on strategic priorities
  • Children and School Programs (11%): $890,000 - Supporting educational access and youth development
  • Scholarships (11%): $872,000 - Student support for residents of western PA and eastern OH
  • Arts, Culture and Humanities (10%): $812,000 - Historical, cultural and environmental activities

The foundation also supports programs addressing brain drain by helping people achieve careers that yield a living wage.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Applicants should note:

  • Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, faith-based organizations, or government entities
  • Services must benefit residents within the three-county service area
  • Organizations must be current on all final reports for previous grants from the foundation

Governance and Leadership

Bill Strimbu - President (installed recently after serving as Vice President; over 30 years of dedication to the organization; son of co-founder Nick Strimbu)

Kyle English - Executive Director. English has spoken about the foundation's strategic direction, stating: "The responses to this assessment provided clarity surrounding the region's most glaring social issues, such as addiction and the brain drain."

Karen Winner Sed - Former leadership; honored for eight years of service

The foundation's board meets quarterly to review grant applications. The organization demonstrates strong governance with a Charity Navigator score of 97% (4-star rating).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Community Foundation uses a two-stage application process:

  1. Letter of Intent: Submit an initial Letter of Intent via the Community Foundation's online Grant Portal (accessible at www.comm-foundation.org/apply-for-a-grant)

  2. Full Grant Application: Upon approval and by invitation only, applicants will be asked to submit a Full Grant Application

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) as determined by the IRS, faith-based organization, or government entity (libraries, schools, etc.)
  • Provide services within the counties of Mercer and/or Lawrence in Pennsylvania and/or Trumbull in Ohio
  • Be current on all final reports for grants from the Foundation

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadlines: Quarterly (specific dates available through grant portal)
  • Review Process: All eligible grant applications received by the quarterly deadline are placed on the agenda for the upcoming Board Meeting
  • Notification: Following the Board Meeting, applicants are contacted and informed of the status of their grant request
  • Overall Timeline: Expect approximately one quarter (3 months) from deadline to decision

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 234 awards from their total grantmaking of $7,988,195. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available. However, the data shows a mix of grant sizes, with 53% of awards under $1,000, suggesting the foundation is accessible to smaller organizations and community initiatives.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations must be current on all final reports for grants from the Foundation before reapplying. Specific waiting periods or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and funding patterns:

Align with Strategic Priorities: The foundation has identified addiction and brain drain as "the region's most glaring social issues." Executive Director Kyle English emphasizes programs that "offer greater access for people trying to improve their lives and achieve careers that yield a living wage." Applications addressing these issues are strategically aligned.

Demonstrate Local Impact: The foundation serves a specific three-county region. Successful applications clearly demonstrate how they will benefit residents of Mercer County, Lawrence County (PA), and/or Trumbull County (OH).

Show Community Support: With 53% of grants under $1,000 and over $22 million in donations received in 2024, the foundation values grassroots community engagement. Demonstrating broad community support can strengthen applications.

Recent Funding Examples: The foundation has supported diverse initiatives including:

  • Economic development through the Sharon Economic Development Fund (eight businesses receiving $150,000 total)
  • Healthcare infrastructure (community support for Sharon Hospital recovery)
  • Educational programs and scholarships
  • Arts and cultural organizations

Strong Financial Management: As organizations must be current on all final reports, demonstrating strong grant management and reporting capacity is essential. The foundation's own 97% Charity Navigator score suggests they value accountability and transparency.

Consider Scale Appropriately: The foundation makes grants ranging from under $1,000 to over $350,000. Tailor your request to the appropriate scale for your project and organizational capacity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two-stage process means prepare a compelling Letter of Intent - This is your foot in the door; full applications are by invitation only
  • Geographic restriction is strictly enforced - Services must benefit residents of Mercer, Lawrence, or Trumbull counties specifically
  • Strategic alignment with addiction and brain drain issues - These are documented as the foundation's top priorities from their impact assessment
  • Quarterly board cycles require planning ahead - Build your timeline around quarterly deadlines rather than rolling submissions
  • Final reports on previous grants are mandatory - Strong grant management and reporting are prerequisites for continued funding
  • Small grants are welcomed - Over half of awards are under $1,000, making the foundation accessible to grassroots initiatives
  • Community foundations value donor relationships - While not required for grants, understanding the foundation serves many donor-advised funds means demonstrating broad community appeal can be strategic

References

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