The Wean Foundation envisions a healthy community where engagement of residents, excellence in civic organizations, and strong networks forming alliances around shared interests are prevalent. It emphasizes that resident engagement is critical for authentic, lasting change to occur. The Foundation prioritizes funding for the development and implementation of solutions led by organizations whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities they serve.
The Wean Foundation's Community Investment Grants program focuses on supporting viable solutions that align with the foundation's mission, values, and strategic priorities, including community revitalization, economic opportunity, educational opportunity, and public and civic sector leadership. They emphasize value alignment, giving special attention to organizations whose work aligns with their values and whose leadership reflects the racial demographics of the communities they serve. A significant aspect of their grantmaking philosophy is the prioritization of racial equity and inclusion, aiming to address entrenched challenges in the Mahoning Valley by redistributing decision-making power and challenging inequitable access to resources. Additionally, they support capacity building with a focus on Black and Hispanic/Latinx-led organizations, aiming to enhance sustainability through leadership development, networking, and best practices. The Community Investment Grants offer funding starting at $5,000 for projects aligned with these goals.