Grants in Action recognizes the results of notable grant awards, whether large or small, and the significant impact they have on strengthening Greater Dayton and beyond.
PeaceBuilder’s Stories Come to Life, Thanks to Grant
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Dayton Peace Museum
As home to the Dayton Peace Accords, Greater Dayton has a rich history of individuals working to transform a culture of violence into a culture of peace. Dayton Peace Museum, which, through education and collaboration, works to promote a more equitable, civil and peaceful world, celebrates individuals locally and beyond who dedicate themselves to make the world a more peaceful place.
The Dayton Foundation recently awarded $4,000 through its Greenlight Grants℠ program to help the museum digitize the PeaceBuilders Stories into a permanent exhibit. The kiosks create an interactive experience, allowing visitors to see and hear stories about people who have made a positive impact, such as local natives Sister Dorothy Stang, a noted protector of the Amazon rainforest,and Ted Studebaker, a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. The idea is to showcase everyday people who decided to take risks in order to create positive change in their communities and inspire others to do the same.
The exhibits debuted last winter and are particularly popular with youth, who love the touch-screen format and ability to scroll through photos while listening to the PeaceBuilders’ voices as they bring their stories to life.
“The screens made learning about PeaceBuilders accessible and interesting. The museum should be proud to have them as a permanent exhibit,” said Dennis, an opening night visitor.
“Grants like the ones from The Dayton Foundation are the lifeblood of the Peace Museum. As a nonprofit organization, we depend heavily on individual supporters,” said Kevin Kelly, executive director of the Dayton Peace Museum. “Our focus is on children and youth, creating curriculum and projects for classes and school tours. It is vitally important we help them navigate a continually complex world and inspire people to work for greater peace and compassion through education and collaboration.”
Grant Helps Revitalize Area Wetlands
Beaver Creek Wetlands Association’s Spotted Turtle Tail Project
Since the 1700s, 90 percent of Ohio’s wetlands have been destroyed or degraded. As a result of human activities, such as agriculture, development and mining, both the natural environment and developed communities have experienced increased flooding, decreased water quality and the loss of important species, among other consequences. Beaver Creek Wetlands Association works to combat this issue by protecting and restoring wetlands and other natural areas in the Beaver Creek watershed.
The Dayton Foundation recently awarded a $50,000 discretionary grant to help the nonprofit land trust complete the second phase of its Spotted Turtle Tail Project, which has restored and improved a 58-acre parcel of degraded wetlands in Greene County. The project, which celebrated its completion with a ribbon cutting on August 25, 2023, included the addition of more than a mile of an ADA-compliant boardwalk, an observation deck and benches, which will give the community the ability to experience this endangered ecosystem.
“We are so thankful for grants like the one from The Dayton Foundation, which enable us to make our community aware that wetlands are some of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet,” said Jackie Mayer, executive director of the BCWA. “We’re a small nonprofit that has taken on a multi-year, multi-million-dollar project. Thanks to the support of funders like The Dayton Foundation, we can create opportunities for community members to learn about the wetlands and experience a different kind of park right in their own backyard.”