As the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024 and considered what its future looked like, part of the work was examining how the organization could support nonprofits beyond writing checks. Through discussions with staff and community partners, a common theme emerged: showing up for nonprofits.
Quite literally.
“We’ve always talked as a team about how to best show our support and appreciation for the leaders and organizations making a difference in the Valley. Through all of our work, it’s been clear that it takes more than a grant or sponsorship,” says Community Foundation President Casey Krell. “It takes an authentic investment of our time to show solidarity and encouragement.”
Since the foundation started prioritizing event attendance, CFMV staff have attended dozens of events hosted by our nonprofit partners, including nearly 40 in 2025 alone ranging from small celebrations such as groundbreaking ceremonies and program graduations to large daylong events like Unmute the Uncomfortable and Bike Belmont.
But being at these events is more than just time out of the office. By meeting people – whether they’re nonprofit directors, staff, clients or volunteers – the Community Foundation has been able to change the tenor of conversations and build deeper relationships, says Sarah Lowry, CFMV’s Senior Director of Community Impact.
“Intentional interactions have helped us shift from transactional to more transformational relationships with our community partners. These kinds of connections are essential for successful long-term investments,” she says. “Being present at community-led programs and events has helped me and my team understand more clearly what the community sees as the most prominent challenges — and also what’s cause for celebration — and more directly respond to community priorities rather than just our interpretations of them.”
For Krell in particular, the focus on showing up has been important as its timing aligned with her transition to CFMV president, helping her keep a connection with the community she’s worked in and with for years.
“As president, it’s important for me to see the impact firsthand. It gives me a break from budgets, policies and emails, and allows me to connect directly with the people our organization serves,” she says. “Every time I attend an event, I am reminded how dedicated and compassionate the people of the Mahoning Valley are!”
Internally, CFMV keeps track of invitations staff receive and discuss at monthly meetings who’s interested and able to attend which events, ensuring that all eight employees are sharing in the work of being present in the community.
“For a long time, we struggled with how to respond to event invitations because we knew we could not support them all. Our desire to be fair kept us from showing up in ways that mattered,” Krell says, explaining that staff attendance has risen from just a small handful.
“We still have to decline many requests but we work hard to be as present and supportive as we can.”
Adds Lowry: “While we know we can’t say yes to every invitation, we are honored to be invited to participate in so many. We’re all committed to continue showing up as best we can.”
Pictured at top: CFMV staff Mae Medore, Sarah Lowry, Robin Perry and Devon Cleland and CFMV board member Kelan Bilal at the 2025 African American Wellness Walk.
Pictured in story: CFMV staff, board members and community partners at the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments annual meeting.