The Dayton Foundation’s physical office will be open on Tuesday, December 31, from 8:30 a.m. until noon, with development staff available remotely in the afternoon. We will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. If you're looking to make an end-of-year gift, click here for more details.

Becoming a Donor Overview

When you become a donor through The Dayton Foundation, you become a member of our family – a family who truly cares about helping others and the future of our community.

Here to help.

Michelle Lovely, CFRE
Senior Vice President of Development and Donor Services
(937) 225-9948

Whether you’re looking to simplify your current giving, establish a charitable legacy, memorialize a loved one or something other than these, we’re here to help you help others. We will work with you or your professional advisor to meet your giving needs and financial goals.

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Unmatched Charitable Giving Services

The Dayton Foundation is unique in the range and depth of charitable services we provide for individuals, organizations and corporations.

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Permanence

Since 1921, we’re helped thousands of individuals, families and organizations fulfill their charitable wishes by awarding over $1.3 billion in grants. We take pride in our role to carry out the dreams of our donors, and we’re happy to do the same for you.

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Local Expertise

We employ a staff of local experts, including CFRE-certified fundraising executives, grantmaking professionals and former CEOs of area nonprofit organizations.

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Local Associations & Impact

Our staff and Governing Board include knowledgeable, connected community citizens and volunteers. We can quickly identify local and regional issues, guaranteeing that we target discretionary grants where they will do the most good. We also convene agencies and coordinate resources to create positive change for our community.

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Personalized Service & Flexibility

Whether you want to give now or in the future, locally or internationally, we can customize a charitable giving plan to meet your financial and giving goals.

Creating a Fund Is Easy!

  1. Give us a call.
    Start by contacting us to discuss your charitable giving goals or estate plans.
  2. Decide the type and purpose of your fund.
    Do you wish to support a particular charitable organization or area of interest? Or, perhaps you wish to help the community broadly, relying on the Foundation’s leadership to make grants on your behalf. Let us help you create a plan to fulfill all of your needs.
  3. Determine when and how much to give.
    You can establish a fund with a direct contribution now to earn an immediate tax deduction or through a legacy gift. A minimum initial gift of $25,000 in cash, appreciated securities, closely held stock, real estate or other real property is recommended for an invested fund, but you may start with a smaller amount and make plans to add to it over time.
  4. Select an investment strategy.
    We offer a wide range of Foundation-approved and -monitored investment pools in which we invest your contributions for distribution to charity. We also employ Fund Evaluation Group to provide third-party evaluation of investment performance.
  5. Name your fund.
    Many donors choose to name their fund with their family's name or in honor or memory of a loved one.

Our Story Is the Community's Story

As our community has grown and its needs have evolved over the last century, The Dayton Foundation has been the region’s leader in helping you help others and in making an impact in our region.

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