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Donors and Organizations Establish Funds to Help Others - Endowments


Establishing a strong foundation for our community’s future is a vision shared by donors who have endowment funds at The Dayton Foundation. The following funds are some of the new endowments established by donors in recent months to support their special charitable causes and our region, now and in the future.

The ABLE Foundation contributes funding to charitable organizations in the Greater Dayton area.

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Bill Allen

Allen Family Scholarship awards scholarships to Central State University students seeking to further their education in chemistry and STEM-related fields. The fund honors the memories of William “Bill” Allen, a U.S. Navy Veteran and CSU graduate, and his wife, Rose, who specialized in nuclear medicine.

Marge P. Barge Fund serves to promote the charitable interests of the donor.

Pamela J. Beckett Environmental Fund supports organizations that work to solve environmental issues in the Greater Dayton region.

The Roy and Patricia Begley Foundation Fund was established by the Begleys to support the nonprofit organizations of their choosing.

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Gail and George Forest

George and Gail Forest Community Impact Endowment Fund supports local nonprofits that are addressing critical needs in Greater Dayton, as determined by The Dayton Foundation’s Governing Board. The fund was established by Governing Board Member and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. George Forest, and his wife, Gail, a retired member of the U.S. Senior Executive Service and former Air Force Materiel Command director of Engineering and Technical Management.

Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks generates revenue for projects, programs and conservation efforts directly related to the Centerville-Washington Park District’s mission, vision and values.

Betsy Frabotta Educate and Engage Scholarship for Q+ Youth remembers Betsy Fabrotta, a longtime public school teacher, who found joy in her community and in creating a strong relationship with the Rubi Girls. This fund awards scholarships to Miami Valley students who demonstrate a commitment to community, with preference given to students of color who identify as LGBTQ+ or an ally.

Michael A. Herman and Thomas J. Pompei Foundation was established to fulfill the donors’ charitable wishes across a broad sector of issues important to them.

City of Huber Heights Art Scholarship offers scholarships to graduating seniors from Huber Heights City and Bethel Local schools who plan to pursue a degree in visual arts.

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The Kawai Family

The Kawai Family Foundation furthers the charitable interests of the donors by contributing to organizations important to them.

Justin McCurdy Memorial Scholarship provides scholarships to graduating seniors from Springboro, Centerville or Clearcreek Township who participated in high school or club sports. The fund remembers Justin McCurdy, an engineer by trade and gifted baseball player whose smile lit up every room.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton - Keeping More Families Close Capital Campaign Fund provides funding for the construction of a new and expanded building at Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton.

Charles and Pat Meadows Scholarship Fund assists students from Dayton Public, Jefferson Township or Trotwood Public schools in continuing their education. This fund honors Charles Meadows, who believed education was the key to success for underrepresented students.

PFLAG Dayton LGBTQ and Ally Scholarship encourages graduating seniors and current college students from the Miami Valley, who are advocates for LGBTQ+ related issues or actively involved in LGBTQ+ related organizations, to pursue their dreams through scholarship assistance.

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Nancy and Neal Reichelt

Nancy and Neal Reichelt Scholarship offers financial assistance to graduating seniors from Dayton Public Schools, with preference given to students graduating from Belmont High School. The fund was established in memory of siblings Nancy and Neal Reichelt, both of whom enjoyed long teaching careers in the Miami Valley and were graduates of Belmont High School and Miami University.

Richard L. “Dick” and Helen S. Shell Scholarship Foundation was established to remember Dick Shell, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and former Northmont High School principal and district assistant super-intendent, and his wife, Helen, to whom he was married for 71 years. The fund awards scholarships to Northmont High School graduates who plan to study teacher education.

James L. Sherman Foundation Fund provides funding to various nonprofit organizations, as recommended by the donor.

Tom and Judy Thompson Fund carries out the charitable wishes of the donors by awarding grants to the League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area, Miami Valley Public Media, Inc. (WYSO) and the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.

United Methodist Women of Memorial United Methodist Church generates annual income for the mission work of the United Methodist Women in West Carrollton, Ohio.

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White Water Shaker Village

Hedda von Goeben Endowment provides support for the Friends of White Water Shaker Village, Inc. This nonprofit organization in Crosby Township near Harrison, Ohio, works to preserve and restore the North family of the Shaker Village, as well as collects and exhibits artifacts related to the site for the cultural enrichment of the public.

Richard E. Wilson Memorial Fund supports organizations that meet the needs of individuals in the Greater Dayton area. The fund was established in memory of Richard “Dickie” Wilson, an avid gay rights activist and U.S. Army Veteran who was known for his involvement in the community and the years he spent campaigning for human rights and equality.