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Centennial Culmination Event Was a Night to Remember! Foundation Announced Gifts to the Community Campaign Total $2.1 Million

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Former Dayton Foundation Governing Board Chair Dr. Gary LeRoy speaks to the audience of more than 1,000.


More than 1,000 donors, community leaders, advisors and friends came together on September 30 to celebrate The Dayton Foundation’s Centennial Culmination Event and the launch of its next century of service. Carillon Historical Park provided the perfect setting for the celebration presentation, including a thank you to the 100 Gifts to the Community donors and receiving organizations. Guests also were treated to a special concert featuring the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra while 100 drones lit up the sky thanks to Firefly Drone Shows. It was a night to remember!

“What binds us together is the shared belief in all that is good, to give back to those in need, to lift spirits, to improve lives and to provide hope and opportunity for the future. Because of caring individuals like you, The Dayton Foundation stands 100 years later, representing all that is good in Dayton,” said Michael M. Parks, CFRE, president of The Dayton Foundation, in his speech. “True to our founders’ vision 100 years ago, The Dayton Foundation is about helping you help others. No matter your interests or means, there is a place for everyone at the Foundation.”

No matter your interests or means, there is a place for everyone at the Foundation.
– Michael M. Parks, president of The Dayton Foundation

The event capped off the Foundation’s centennial year by celebrating the conclusion of its 100 Gifts to the Community campaign. The campaign featured 100 of the Foundation’s fund holders who awarded special, one-time grants in honor of the Foundation’s milestone anniversary to the nonprofit organizations of their choice. More than $2.1 million in gifts, ranging from $1,000 to more than $100,000, were awarded to local nonprofit organizations through this effort.

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A night to remember!