Marva Cosby
Marva Cosby’s two-year term as chair of The Dayton Foundation’s Governing Board came to a close at the end of June, and we would like to extend our profound appreciation for her outstanding leadership.
Under Marva’s chairwomanship, the Foundation made significant strides in its mission to help individuals and organizations help others through philanthropy and community leadership. These included the awarding of nearly 43,000 grants totaling more than $121 million from all Foundation funds to nonprofit organizations. Of this amount, $1.7 million was awarded in Board-directed discretionary grants and Greenlight Grants℠ that helped double the number of students receiving mentorship and secondary educational opportunities; aid meal storage to feed individuals and families in need; construct a one-stop health and wellness center; and develop trail systems for better access to recreational and natural resources, among other efforts.
Marva also helped to guide the Foundation in marking its 100th year in operation. This milestone anniversary was highlighted by the award-winning 100 Gifts to the Community campaign, featuring 100 Dayton Foundation fund holders awarding more than $2.1 million in new gifts to Greater Dayton nonprofits; a year-long, multi-media advertising campaign to raise community awareness of the Foundation’s mission; a spectacular gathering of more than 1,000 donors, community leaders and other friends for an evening of reminiscing, with music and a 100-drone light show; and the Foundation’s first prime-time television special.
Marva led the Foundation through many noteworthy accomplishments on behalf of the community and generously devoted her time and talent since 2015.
As the region emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, Marva oversaw the Foundation award more than $2.1 million in grants to date from the COVID-19 Response Fund for Greater Dayton to support regional nonprofits in their response. Final distributions from the Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund aided victims and their families from the 2019 mass shooting, and grants from the Greater Dayton Disaster Relief Fund to support tornado recovery for individuals concluded, with funding now directed toward community efforts.
Additionally under Marva’s chair-womanship, the Foundation added 328 new Charitable Checking Accounts℠ and 281 new endowed and non-endowed funds to assist individuals, families and organizations in furthering their charitable goals. Included among these funds are 34 new unrestricted and lightly restricted funds that help the Foundation address pressing community needs and opportunities today and long into the future. (Read more about projects supported by unrestricted funds here.)
A record dollar amount in new contributions to all funds plus sound investment management added $387 million in charitable assets since July 2020, bringing the Foundation’s community resources to more than $1 billion for the first time in its history.
Partnerships with other organizations and individuals to lead community initiatives, such as Learn to Earn Dayton and the Institute for Liveable and Equitable Communities, have continued to expand the Foundation’s collaborative role and have further emphasized the importance of inclusive work to build upon regional diversity and equity efforts.
We are sincerely grateful for Marva’s thoughtful and dedicated leadership during The Dayton Foundation’s robust growth period and for launching it into its next century of service. She led the Foundation through many noteworthy accomplishments on behalf of the community and generously has devoted her time and talent since 2015 when she joined the Foundation’s Governing Board and later chaired its Marketing and Public Relations Committee and served on its Executive Committee. Her continued participation as a member of the Governing Board is most appreciated and welcomed.
Thank you, Marva!