Raymond John Wean Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3,481,669
Total Assets: $88 million
Decision Time: 4 weeks (Community Investment Grants), 2-6 weeks (Resident Engagement Grants)
Grant Range: $500 - $600,000+
Geographic Focus: Warren and Youngstown, Ohio (Mahoning Valley)
Number of Annual Grants: Approximately 92 grants
Giving Rate: 4.0% of assets

Contact Details

Address: 147 West Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44481

Phone: (330) 394-5600

Fax: (330) 394-5601

Email:

General inquiries: info@weanfoundation.org
Capacity building: capacitybuilding@weanfoundation.org
Media inquiries: communications@weanfoundation.org

Website: www.weanfoundation.org

Online Application Portal: raymondjohnweanfoundation.submittable.com

Key Staff:

Jennifer Roller, President
Gordon B. Wean, Board Chair (third generation of the Wean family)
Aditi Srivastava, Program Officer, Grantmaking
Chyna Mitchell-Parker, Executive Administrator

Overview

The Raymond John Wean Foundation was established in 1949 in Warren, Ohio by industrialist Raymond John Wean, who built his fortune in the flat-rolled steel processing industry. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded over $100 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving the Mahoning Valley. With assets of $88 million, the foundation distributes approximately $3.5 million annually through 92 grants. The foundation underwent a significant governance transformation in 2006, evolving from a traditional family foundation to a progressive, professionally-staffed private foundation with diverse community leadership. Today, under President Jennifer Roller's leadership, the foundation has deepened its focus on racial equity and systemic change, explicitly prioritizing support for Black and Hispanic/Latinx-led organizations. The foundation leverages a dynamic combination of grantmaking, capacity building, convening, and partnerships to provoke new thinking, strengthen communities, and "disrupt the status quo" to achieve its vision of empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Community Investment Grants

Amount: $5,000 and above (grants have ranged up to $600,000)
Median grant size: $5,000
Application process: Two-stage process beginning with Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
Review timeline: Submissions accepted year-round for quarterly board review; decision within 4 weeks
Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits or organizations under fiscal sponsorship, or places of worship

2. Resident Engagement Grants

Amount: $500 - $5,000
Target audience: Grassroots organizations and smaller, less established nonprofits in Warren and Youngstown
Application process: Annual spring application cycle following required prerequisite workshop
Review timeline: Most applications reviewed within 2 weeks; award decisions within 6 weeks of deadline
Matching requirement: Recipients must match requested amount through volunteer labor, cash, or in-kind donations
Total 2025 awards: Nearly $115,000 distributed to resident-led initiatives

Priority Areas

The foundation supports integrated, equitable solutions that enhance quality of life in the Mahoning Valley across four strategic priorities:

1. Community Revitalization

Neighborhood-based initiatives
Grassroots community building efforts
Projects that engage and empower local residents

2. Economic Opportunity

Workforce development and placement services
Support for justice-impacted individuals
Community Development Financial Institutions
Organizations addressing economic barriers in disadvantaged communities
Equitable compensation initiatives

3. Educational Opportunity

Programs that create pathways for educational advancement
Initiatives addressing educational equity

4. Public and Civic Sector Leadership

Nonprofit capacity building
Leadership development programs
Civic engagement initiatives

Cross-Cutting Focus:

Racial Equity: The foundation explicitly prioritizes racial equity and funds "the development and implementation of viable solutions led by organizations whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities they serve"
Black and Hispanic/Latinx-Led Organizations: The foundation prioritizes supporting the sustainability (strong leadership, thoughtful strategy, and impact) of these organizations
Resident Engagement: Bottom-up, community-driven solutions

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, eligibility is clearly limited to:

Organizations serving Warren and Youngstown in Ohio's Mahoning Valley (strict geographic focus)
Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, operate under fiscal sponsorship, or be a place of worship
Based on their strategic priorities, they focus on community-based solutions rather than individual scholarships or capital campaigns unrelated to their priority areas

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Gordon B. Wean - Third generation of the Wean family to serve the foundation's mission

President: Jennifer Roller - As a Black woman born in the Mahoning Valley, Roller has been instrumental in transforming the foundation's focus toward racial equity. She states: "I'm happy to be here as a Black woman in this community – born in this community, quite honestly – who is striving for a future where one's race identity does not influence how one fares in society."

Key Leadership Quotes:

On systemic change: "We need to do more than advocate for change. We have to rethink the dynamics of decision-making in the Valley. We have to ask each other who has the power to determine access to resources, knowledge and opportunity — and why."

On philanthropy's role: "In philanthropy, we are looked upon as leaders. And we must lead by example. Connecting, coordinating, and collaborating, just as we encourage our grassroots and community leaders and government."

On organizational focus: "Determine who you are, what you do exceptionally well, and then do your part."

The foundation's stated belief on racial equity: "We believe racial inequality is the conversation and that it is no longer acceptable as 'the norm' in the Mahoning Valley."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete WeanFolio All applicants must first complete the WeanFolio, an online organizational profile that serves as the entry point for all foundation engagement. The WeanFolio stores a snapshot of your organization including leadership, programs, reports, and other key information. This information is stored securely online and can be updated as needed.

Step 2: Application Process (varies by grant type)

For Community Investment Grants ($5,000+):

Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the foundation's Submittable platform
LOI should clearly demonstrate:
- Alignment with the foundation's mission and values
- Sound and thoughtful approach to addressing one of the four strategic priorities
- Organizational capacity to carry out the work
- How organizational leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities served
If invited, submit full proposal with corresponding due date
Participation in grantseeker orientation session is highly encouraged

For Resident Engagement Grants ($500-$5,000):

Attend mandatory prerequisite Resident Engagement Grant workshop
During workshop, refine application and budget
Submit application through Submittable platform during annual spring application cycle
Include matching contribution plan (volunteer labor, cash, or in-kind donations)

Application Platform: All applications must be submitted electronically through Submittable at raymondjohnweanfoundation.submittable.com

Decision Timeline

Community Investment Grants:

Submissions accepted year-round
Reviewed quarterly by the board
Within 4 weeks: Advisement of whether full proposal is invited and corresponding due date
Full proposals reviewed at quarterly board meetings

Resident Engagement Grants:

Applications accepted annually in spring
Most applications reviewed within 2 weeks
Award decisions communicated within 6 weeks of application deadline
Notifications sent via Submittable platform

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish specific success rate data. However, recent grant announcements indicate:

In 2023: 92 grants awarded
In 2022: 95 grants awarded
In 2021: 120 grants awarded
In 2020: 151 grants awarded
Recent Resident Engagement Grant cycles have funded 21+ grassroots groups per year

The trend toward fewer but potentially larger grants suggests an increasingly competitive process with a focus on deeper partnerships.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Given their rolling submission process for Community Investment Grants and emphasis on relationship building, organizations are encouraged to contact foundation staff at info@weanfoundation.org or (330) 394-5600 to discuss reapplication timing and how to strengthen future applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and President Jennifer Roller's guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Racial Equity and Representative Leadership The foundation explicitly prioritizes "viable solutions led by organizations whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities they serve." This is not merely a preference but a core funding criterion. Applications should clearly articulate how organizational leadership reflects the Warren and Youngstown communities.

2. Alignment with Strategic Priorities Successful LOIs demonstrate "a sound and thoughtful approach to addressing one of our strategic priorities" (Community Revitalization, Economic Opportunity, Educational Opportunity, or Public & Civic Sector Leadership). Be specific about which priority your work addresses.

3. Organizational Capacity The foundation looks for "evident indicators that the organization has the capacity to carry out the work." This includes strong leadership, thoughtful strategy, and demonstrated impact.

4. Community Voice and Collaboration Roller emphasizes the importance of incorporating community voices, collaborating across sectors, and connecting with other organizations. Applications should demonstrate genuine community engagement and collaborative partnerships.

5. Data Transparency and Progress Tracking "Be transparent about data" and "track and measure progress" are explicit priorities. Include clear metrics and evaluation plans.

6. Systemic Solutions Over Service Band-Aids The foundation seeks to "disrupt the status quo" and address root causes. Roller asks applicants to consider: "who has the power to determine access to resources, knowledge and opportunity — and why?" Applications should demonstrate understanding of systemic barriers and strategies for addressing them.

7. Clear Mission Focused on Empowerment The foundation's vision is "empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley." Projects should focus on creating conditions for residents to "thrive, not just survive" and build genuine community power.

Recent Grant Examples as Models:

United Returning Citizens: Multi-year general operating support for comprehensive services (mental health, workforce, housing) for justice-impacted individuals
Thrive Mahoning Valley: Workforce placement services addressing transportation gaps with equity and community engagement training for employers
Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation: $600,000 grant for community revitalization work
Bridgeway Capital and Valley Economic Development Partners: $270,000 to Community Development Financial Institutions supporting economically disadvantaged communities
21 grassroots neighborhood groups: Smaller grants ($500-$5,000) for resident-led community building initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Racial equity is non-negotiable: Explicitly address how your organizational leadership reflects the communities you serve and how your work advances racial equity in the Mahoning Valley. This is a core funding criterion, not an added bonus.
Complete WeanFolio first: This is the mandatory entry point for all foundation engagement. Keep it updated with current information about your leadership, programs, and impact.
Attend the workshops: For Resident Engagement Grants, the prerequisite workshop is mandatory. For Community Investment Grants, the grantseeker orientation is "highly encouraged" – attend it to demonstrate seriousness and refine your approach.
Focus on systems, not symptoms: The foundation wants to "disrupt the status quo" and address root causes. Show how your work tackles systemic barriers, not just provides short-term services.
Build relationships before applying: The foundation values ongoing partnerships. Consider engaging with their capacity-building programs, attending community events, and connecting with staff before submitting an LOI.
Think collaboratively: Roller emphasizes "connecting, coordinating, and collaborating." Demonstrate partnerships with other organizations and how your work complements the broader ecosystem.
Be Warren/Youngstown specific: This foundation has a tight geographic focus. Show deep knowledge of and connection to these specific communities in the Mahoning Valley.
Multi-year funding is possible: Recent grants show the foundation makes multi-year commitments to organizations demonstrating strong capacity and alignment. Don't be afraid to request longer-term support if appropriate.

References

Raymond John Wean Foundation official website - www.weanfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
"Apply for Grants" page - https://www.weanfoundation.org/apply-for-grants/ (accessed January 2026)
"About Us" page - https://www.weanfoundation.org/about-us/ (accessed January 2026)
Raymond John Wean Foundation Nonprofit Explorer (ProPublica) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/346505038 (accessed January 2026)
"The Raymond John Wean Foundation Announces Grants in Support of Economic Opportunity, Equitable Compensation" - https://www.weanfoundation.org/news-press/ (December 2024)
"Foundation grants allow pair to continue economic outreach," Tribune Chronicle (March 2025)
Cause IQ profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/raymond-john-wean-foundation,346505038/ (accessed January 2026)
"Wean Foundation looks to 'do more than advocate for change,'" Mahoning Matters, 2024
"A Vision for a More Equitable and Vibrant Mahoning Valley," The Architectural League of New York - https://archleague.org/article/mahoning-valley-roller/ (accessed January 2026)
"#POTW, Jennifer Roller, The Raymond John Wean Foundation" - https://www.weanfoundation.org/news-press/potw-jennifer-roller-the-raymond-john-wean-foundation/
"Wean Foundation Marks 75 Years with Summit," Business Journal Daily, 2024
Foundation Directory (Candid) profile - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=WEAN001 (accessed January 2026)