When Illness Comes, Financial Stress Shouldn't Follow.
"We understand that managing a serious illness is one of the most difficult things a family can face. The financial burden that comes with it should never stand in the way of your child receiving the care they need."— The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, founded 2007
When a child is diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness, the costs multiply fast and insurance rarely covers everything. Medical procedures, prescription medications, transportation to specialists, adaptive equipment, home modifications, the out-of-pocket expenses can push families to the breaking point before they even have a chance to catch their breath.
That’s why the Hope Foundation’s Financial Assistance Program exists. Through careful stewardship of our community’s generosity, we provide direct, meaningful support that addresses the real-world financial gaps families encounter. Every expense we fund is paid directly to the service provider or vendor, ensuring transparency, accountability, and peace of mind for the families we serve.
What We Cover: Financial Support Tailored to Your Family’s Needs
We provide assistance for expenses directly related to your child’s diagnosis and medical care, including:
Medical Treatments & Procedures Essential treatments, procedures, therapies, and specialist visits not fully covered by your insurance — so your child receives the care they need without delay.
Prescription Medications Ongoing medication costs for chronic or terminal conditions can be significant. We help cover prescription expenses not reimbursed by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.
Transportation to Medical Care Gas, mileage, or airfare to reach specialized medical facilities — paid directly to the transportation or travel provider. Distance should never be a barrier to your child’s care.
Household & Care-Related Expenses Adaptive equipment, home modifications, or specific household costs that arise directly from your child’s condition — ensuring a safe and supportive environment at home.
What We Cannot Cover: Expenses Outside the Scope of This Program
While we aim to provide comprehensive support, there are expenses we cannot cover:
Mortgage or Rent: Our focus is on medical and care-related costs; we recommend housing assistance programs for those needs.
Utility Bills: These fall outside our scope as we prioritize expenses that directly impact the child’s health.
Insurance-Covered Costs: We do not duplicate payments covered by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, focusing instead on filling gaps in support.
Non-Medical Expenses: Only expenses directly related to the child’s medical care are eligible for funding, ensuring our resources go where they’re needed most.
How We Ensure Responsible Use of Funds
All expenses covered by The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley are paid directly to the organizations providing the goods or services. This approach not only simplifies the process for families but also ensures transparency and accountability in the use of our funds. By working directly with service providers, we can be certain that every dollar spent is used exactly as intended—to improve the lives of the children we serve.
Not sure if your situation qualifies? Contact us before applying — we’ll help you understand your options and connect you with other resources if needed.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility Requirements
- Child must be chronically or terminally ill
- Child must between ages 3–18 at time of application and grant
- Family must be located in Trumbull, Mahoning, or Columbiana County (out-of-area applications also accepted)
- Requested Expenses must align directly related to the child’s diagnosis
- Previous recipients must wait 3 years before reapplying
What You’ll Need to Apply
Documents & Information Required
- Completed online application (~15 minutes)
- Signed physician letter on official letterhead
- Description of how funds will be used, supporting documentation, and the amount. (maximum assistance is $2,500)
- Prior year tax return (legal guardian) & HIPPA Form
How to Apply
- Confirm your child meets the eligibility requirements above
- Gather your documents
- Submit the online application
- Our Grant Committee reviews every application personally
- You’ll hear back within 4–6 weeks, depending on the specifics of the application and the nature of the request.