The Salem Community Foundation is a public charitable trust that has operated in Salem, Ohio for over 59 years. Thank you for continuing to inspire us to improve the quality of life in the Salem area by supporting a wide range of outreach programs, projects, and scholarships since 1966!
Important News from Our Office
-
New Fund Added
Salem Community Foundation is announcing a new fund, “Chloe Chappell Memorial Scholarship Fund”, added to the Funds Page. Described as income to provide scholarships to college students pursuing a career in nursing.
Please visit our Funds Page to see our full list of funds.
-
New Memorials
Newest memorials as of November 20th, 2025 for the Book of Memory.
Marilyn Herron, 1932 – 2025
Inez R. Jarvis Webb, 1932 – 2025
Joseph Santon, 1925 – 2025
Genesta Rose Vokovich, 1933 – 2025
Bernadette Jane Demechko, 1934 – 2025 -
New Memorials
Newest memorials as of November 3rd, 2025 for the Book of Memory.
Calvin Michael Weitz, 1950 – 2025
George P. Begalla III, 1946 – 2025
Archie E. Crum, 1941 – 2025
Patricia Joan “Pat” Shaw, 1945 – 2025 -
October 2025 Grants Announced
Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio ($2,000); To provide program curriculum for students at Buckeye School and provide entrepreneurship workbooks for upper elementary and middle school students who attend the Mahoning Valley Scrappers game and provide career guides customized to this area for high school students.
Salem Parks and Recreation Department ($25,000); To purchase a waterslide for the Centennial Park swimming pool. This grant is a dollar-for-dollar match.
The Salvation Army Salem Corps ($16,800); To provide funding for the Best Foot Forward Program which provides winter boots and / or shoes for youth and senior citizens in need in the Salem area.
United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County ($40,000); To provide annual support for the United Way 2026 campaign. Every dollar raised is expended locally on direct service to individuals and families in need.
-
New Memorials
Don Eldon Santee, 1929 – 2025
Virginia Easterday Baun, 1927 – 2025
Roberta N. Coe Santee, 1938 – 2020
John “Jack” Yarnell, 1926 – 2025 -
New Fund Added
Salem Community Foundation is announcing a new fund, “Rev. Dr. Barry M. Walker Scholarship Fund”, added to the Funds Page. This is a donor advised fund.
Please visit our Funds Page to see our full list of funds.
-
New Fund Added
Salem Community Foundation is announcing a new fund, “Zeb Snyder Memorial Fund”, added to the Funds Page. This is a donor advised fund.
Please visit our Funds Page to see our full list of funds.
-
New Memorials
Laurian Renaudat, 1980 – 2025
Brenda Jean Pittman, 1957 – 2025
Raymond Oliver Cox, 1953 – 2025
Kathleen “Sally” Blake, 1931 – 2025
Marcalee Naragon Endsley, 1941 – 2025
Evelyn “Evie” Lower Kellogg, 1979 – 2022
Barbara Joan Thomas Marra, 1938 – 2025
Marilyn Ann Williams Loudon, 1932 – 2025
Daryl Everson Bixler, 1950 – 2025 -
July 2025 Grants Announced
These grants were awarded at the July 10, 2025 Salem Community Foundation Board of Directors quarterly meeting.
Kent State Columbiana Rising Scholars Program ($25,000); To provide funding for the Rising Scholars Program. This grant will be paid out over the next two years to support the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 programs.
Boy Scout Troop 3 ($837.16); To purchase 4 backpacking style tents. The troop plans to use these tents on upcoming overnight trips they have planned.
Salem Community Pantry ($10,000); To provide funding to tear out and replace the concrete parking lot along with the handicap access ramp. The sidewalk will also be replaced. These upgrades are necessary for the organization to meet the required code.
-
2025 Scholarships
The Salem Community Foundation Scholarship Committee met on July 8, 2025 and approved 55 scholarship applications totaling $112,400.
Look through older news items on our News Page.
Community Impact
Our community foundation has successfully grown to manage 165 charitable funds and distributed over $70 million dollars in grants to assist a variety of non-profit organizations and fund a successful scholarship program.
There is scarcely an aspect of life in Salem that has not been touched in a positive way by the Salem Community Foundation since 1966. The Salem Community Foundation has actively shaped the lives and honored the memories of Salem area residents.
A grant of $40,000 aids 16 agencies affiliated with United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County. United Way Services “Fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community”!
Congratulations to Salem’s college students! $129,800 was granted in scholarship dollars to 64 outstanding students for 2024 – 2025 academic year. Also, we wish to congratulations the Kent State University Salem Campus students receiving the Salem Community Foundation Tuition Grant awards for Spring 2025!