The Youngstown Foundation - which provides financial assistance to charitable, scientific, and educational institutions - announced its has awarded $840,000 in grants to various Valley causes and organizations to support their work.

Students Motivated by the Arts (SMARTS) will be receiving $180,315 in grants to help support its operations and special needs programs.

"The support of the Youngstown Foundation enables us to continue SMARTS programs that are unique in their ability to engage elementary and high school students up to the age of 21 with special needs," said president & founder of SMARTS, Rebecca L. Keck. "There are no other programs in the region that offer classes in music, visual arts, theater, and dance with curriculum designed specifically for these students."

One of the SMARTS programs that help teach those with special needs is the SMARTS Beats program, which uses percussion instruments like drums to teach skills like taking turns, making eye contact, and listening to instructions.

Another program is SMARTS Empowers, which teaches foundational skills through visual arts, dance and theater.

"SMARTS is doing a stellar job offering programming that enhances and expands the efforts of local school districts to offer education in the arts," said Lynnette H. Forde, president of the Youngstown Foundation.

Additionally, 14 other nonprofits in the Valley will receive grants. Their amounts and uses for grant money are listed below.

  • Ursuline Sisters Mission (conversion of Ursuline Motherhouse into an assisted living space for retired nuns) - $100,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley (expansion of eye care and therapy at Boardman location) - $100,000
  • Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries (development of new training programs) - $100,000 
  • Easterseals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties (services and resources for children with disabilities) - $60,000
  • Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries (Super Kids programs) - $60,000
  • Youngstown Playhouse (5,000 free tickets for underserved children and their families) - $60,000
  • ACTION Inc (2,500 $20 food vouchers for needy families) - $50,000
  • Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice (senior activities at the Vivo Center in Youngstown) - $50,000
  • Moab House (bathroom renovations and staff salaries) - $25,000
  • The Carter House (staff salaries for transitional housing) - $20,000
  • Youngstown Little Bears (youth football team expenses) - $15,000
  • Humility of Mary Housing (grocery store gift cards for needy families) - $10,000
  • Behind Closed Doors Ministries (food pantry, workshops and operations) - $5,000
  • Youngstown State University (recovery of McDonald Steel artifacts for historic preservation) - $4,551