Our Endowed Funds

Since 1921, The Dayton Foundation has been helping donors and organizations help others and our community through endowed funds that preserve our donors’ charitable purposes, today and after their lifetimes.

Note: Due to the large size of this listing, it has been broken into multiple pages. Click on this pull-down menu to select the part of the alphabetical listing you wish to view.

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Vicki Dafler-Cupp Foundation – 2011 established by the estate of Vicki Dafler-Cupp, helps provide food, medical services and direct care for cats and dogs at the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center. A 1965 graduate of the University of Dayton, Vicki was employed by NCR for 25 years.

Nancy and Lawrence Curk Foundation Fund - 2022 helps further the education of a graduating Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School senior who is planning to major in the nursing program at Kettering College of Medical Arts.

The Dakota Center Endowment Fund – 2000 established by the Kettering family, furnishes annual operating revenue to this West Dayton community center.

Daniel’s Story Foundation – 2016 awards grants to help advocate for and spread awareness about the treatment of and barriers to overcoming the medical disease of addiction. Scott and Carrie Weidle created the fund in memory of their son, Daniel, who passed away in 2015 after a battle with the primary medical brain disease of addiction.

The Thomas and Georgia Danis Foundation Fund – 2004 benefits charitable, educational, religious and community activities, as advised by the fund's founders. Thomas J. Danis was the CEO of The Danis Companies.

Carl J. Davis, Jr., Fund – 2004 honors the donor's memory and love for animals by providing funds to The Humane Society and SICSA. Carl “Dutch” Davis retired as vice president of People's Bank in 1982 and was married to his late wife, Adele, for 58 years.

The Lorna Dawes Student Education Fund – 2004 established by The Muse Machine, honors the leadership and service of Lorna Dawes, who retired as executive director in 2002. The fund generates unrestricted revenue for the organization's student programs.

The Dayton Art Institute Special Exhibition Endowment Fund – 1999 makes it possible to bring world-class exhibitions to the Miami Valley for the enjoyment and education of future generations.

Dayton Bar Association Foundation Fund – 1994 provides operating revenue to the Dayton Bar Association Foundation for the purposes of its mission. This includes fostering, promoting and maintaining the honor and integrity of the legal profession in Dayton.

Dayton Boys and Girls Club Endowment Fund – 1984 helps the Boys/Girls Club enhance the quality of life for Dayton-area youth and is dedicated to the memory of George F. Anderson.

Dayton Business Club Education Foundation – 2016 helps further the education of physical therapy or nursing students currently enrolled at Kettering College of Medical Arts, Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton or Wright State University.

Dayton Catholic Women’s Club Fund – 1997 established by Anita Rankin, generates unrestricted operating revenue for the Dayton Catholic Women's Club.

Dayton Catholic Women’s Club Scholarship Fund – 2010 aids graduating high school women of the Roman Catholic faith in furthering their education at institutions of higher learning. DCWC was established in 1923 to promote a spirit of unity and cooperation among Catholic women in religious, educational, social and humanitarian interests and benevolent works.

Dayton Crayons to Classrooms Fund – 2007 provides basic educational supplies at no cost to qualifying Dayton-area teachers for children in need. The Crayons to Classroom effort, initiated by The Dayton Foundation and the Mathile Family Foundation, is helping to fill a pressing community need by provisioning students with the tools necessary for classroom success.

Dayton Crayons to Classrooms Relocation Fund – 2013 helps this free store for teachers from underfunded schools in Greater Dayton to pay for costs associated with the organization's move to a new location.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Endowment Fund – 2022 provides annual income for this culturally diverse contemporary dance company, which is committed to reaching the broadest audience through exceptional performance and arts-integrated education. 

Dayton Daily News Community Solutions Scholarship – 2004 awards a college scholarship to local students in Montgomery, Greene, Miami and Warren counties who work to solve community needs. The fund was established in honor of Mike Peters, a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist, who began his career working for Dayton Daily News in 1969.

The Dayton Digital Equity Initiative – 2021 is a collaboration to bridge the digital equity gaps for individuals and families living in Dayton’s affordable housing communities and beyond. 

Dayton Dragons Foundation Fund – 2015 supports Dayton Dragons community programs and efforts, such as the MVP program that reaches more than 1,200 fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms in a five-county area, providing tools and resources to reward and incentivize students to excel.

The Dayton Foundation Administrative Endowment Fund – 2000 provides operational and capital funds to aid the Foundation in carrying out its mission to advance charitable giving and provide leadership to meet changing needs in our community.

The Dayton Foundation Emerging Community Needs Fund – 2005 was established by The Dayton Foundation to fund the Foundation's community leadership initiatives to address important regional needs and to provide grants to aid local not-for-profit organizations who have demonstrated the ability to help improve and enhance the Greater Miami Valley community.

Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity Hearts and Hammer Legacy Society Endowment Fund – 2004 helps Habitat for Humanity in its mission to build simple, decent, affordable housing for Montgomery County families in need.

Dayton Legal Heritage Foundation – 2016 serves to benefit Greater Dayton citizens by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies that run programs to improve the practice of law and elevate awareness of the legal and justice systems.

Dayton History Fund– 1995 pools resources from the community to endow the park. Among the endowments established as part of this fund are the Robert R. Ryan Fund to maintain and enhance the park's bicycle collection.

Dayton History Term Endowment Fund – 2006 supports the operation of Dayton History and the many programs that celebrate and preserve the region's rich heritage.

Dayton Live Next Stage Endowment Fund – 2013 provides funding for ongoing maintenance and upgrades for three of Dayton's premier arts facilities - the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, the Metropolitan Arts Center, which houses the Loft Theatre, and the Victoria Theatre. The fund also supports expanded programming and educational initiatives for the community.

Dayton Masonic Foundation Endowment Fund – 2009 provides annual unrestricted operating revenue for the Dayton Masonic Foundation.

Dayton Microcomputer Association Term Fund – 2013 provides unrestricted operating revenue to the Dayton Microcomputer Association. Founded in 1976, DMA is one of the oldest computer users' groups in the nation.

The Dayton-Montgomery County Scholarship Fund – 2006 provides financial assistance to help eligible students attend their first year of education at a college or university. The Dayton-Montgomery County Scholarship Program, founded in 1981, awards more than 300 renewable scholarships annually to students in participating Montgomery County high schools or to students who have received their GED equivalent.

Dayton Opera Association/Baritone Society Fund – 1999 furnishes operating revenue to support the baritone role in Dayton Opera Association productions.

Dayton Opera Association Endowment Fund – 2008 supports the operations of Dayton Opera, the area's only professional opera company.

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Association Endowment Fund – 2002 provides annual unrestricted operating revenue for the Dayton Philharmonic Association and its activities.

Dayton Public Radio Fund – 2000 provides support for the classical music and fine arts programming broadcast on 88.1 FM and 89.9 FM throughout Dayton and the Miami Valley. Dayton Public Radio is the voice of the arts.

Dayton Public Schools Foundation – 2015 encourages Dayton Public School students to achieve success by supporting activities such as mentoring, tutoring, internships, summer programs, teacher grants, field trips and more.

The Dayton Public Schools Fund for Career Development and Mentoring Program – 2011 helps provide paid internships for Dayton Public Schools students in several career fields. Funds also are used to explore student career interests and help track ACT test progress.

Dayton Public Schools Superintendent's Student Senate Scholarship Fund – 2011 grants college scholarships annually to two graduating seniors from each of Dayton's public schools. These students must display leadership qualities.

The Dayton Rotary Foundation Community Fund – 2004 was established by The Dayton Rotary Foundation to further its charitable activities.

Dayton Rotary Club Foundation Endowment Fund – 1988 supports the educational and charitable activities of the Dayton Rotary Club Foundation, which was established in 1954.

Dayton Society of Artists Term Endowment Fund – 2012 furthers the work of this nonprofit arts organization. Founded in 1938, DSA offers local artists a venue in which to display and develop their art through exhibits, events, workshops and discussion groups.

Dayton Superior Corporation Scholarship Fund – 1998 assists the children of full-time regular employees of Dayton Superior Corporation, its affiliates and subsidiaries to further their studies at an accredited institution of higher learning and provides them with tuition and other related expenses. Dayton Superior Corporation has more than 100 years of service to the concrete construction industry.

The Dayton Varsity Club Student-Athlete of the Year Scholarship – 2019 awards scholarships to students selected as an Athlete of the Month by the Dayton Varsity Club to help further their education. 

Dayton Visual Arts Center Fund – 2000 promotes the talents and diversity of regional artists through unrestricted operating income for this downtown Dayton visual arts facility.

C. H. Dean & Associates, Inc., Fund for United Way – 1986 provides annual income to the United Way campaign, as designated by the former father-son leadership team of this local investment firm.

The Joseph and Gail Deering Family Foundation – 2004 perpetuates the Deering family's support for worthy community activities, especially in the areas of educational scholarships and stroke-recovery research grants. Joseph Deering is the former CEO of Phillips Industry and the retired president of PMI-FEG, Hobart. The Deerings currently own and operate a horse farm near Pinehurst, NC.

Del Mar Initiative Fund – 2016 supports the Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative. This program is focused on engaging highly skilled, older adults to help tackle community projects that address social issues.

The Maureen Demers Memorial Fund for the Needy – 2004 was the inspiration of Maureen Demers just prior to her death from cancer in 2004. The fund stands as her legacy of devotion to helping people in need and her community for more than 46 years. The Tipp Monroe Community Services' Community Relief Program and St. Joseph Church Social Ministry's Community Outreach Program will share the fund's income.

Dr. Arthur J. and Mayno R. Denlinger Fund – 2000 yields annual operating revenue for The Brethren's Home in Greenville and the Woodland Altars Outdoor Center in Peebles. The late Mayno Denlinger initiated this fund in loving memory of her husband, a downtown Dayton dentist for over 35 years.

Dennis-Harvey Christian Family Foundation – 2013 perpetuates the Christian beliefs and values of Linda Jo and Steve Harvey by supporting missionaries and churches consistent with their practices during their lifetimes.

Jack A. DeVelbiss Memorial Fund – 1988 pays tribute to the former dean of fine and performing arts at Sinclair Community College. The fund was created by Grace DeVelbiss and many friends and gives grants for arts and educational activities.

Louis P. Diefenbach Fund – 2013 helps deserving students pursuing engineering, science or religious studies to attain a college education at Ohio Northern University, Otterbein University or Wilmington College.

Ditzel Family Foundation – 2007 was established to fulfill the charitable giving wishes of the Ditzel family.

Diversity Programs Endowment – 2007 helps Dayton Live bring diverse entertainment to the Greater Dayton Region and attract a wide variety of audiences to their productions.

Divnick Foundation – 1999 was established by Steve Divnick, a Dayton entrepreneur and inventor, to support civic and charitable endeavors in the Dayton community.

Mary L. Dixon Fund – 1948 fosters the care of children with disabilities at Dayton Children's. Mary Dixon was the last member of the Darst family, pioneers in the founding of Dayton.

Stanley R. and Elaine L. Donenfeld Fund – 2021 carries on the charitable legacies of Stanley Donenfeld, co-owner of Donenfeld’s department store, and his wife, Elaine, a jewelry designer and creator. The Donenfelds were married for 55 years. 

Mary Lynn Dorow Performing Arts Scholarship – 2022 honors Mary Lynn Dorow, a devoted dance coach and survivor of ovarian cancer, who is known for her positive outlook and love for performing arts. This fund helps select seniors from Archbishop Alter High School further their education with scholarship assistance. 

James and Frances Graham Drake Scholarship Fund – 2007 was established from a bequest by Frances DeCou Graham Drake to assist individuals in furthering their studies at The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.

John Franklin Dunifer and Charlotte Dunifer Trust Fund – 1984 apportions income to Memorial United Methodist Church in West Carrollton and the Methodist Children's Home in Worthington. In 1950 Charlotte Dunifer's estate created the fund, which was later transferred to The Dayton Foundation.

Jane A. Dunwoodie Funds – 2022 carry out the charitable wishes of the donor by awarding grants to a variety of educational, arts and cultural organizations. Jane, a lifelong advocate for the arts who holds a degree in visual arts, finds fulfillment in knowing that her funds will continue to enrich the arts in our region for countless generations. 

Dupps Company Community Scholarship – 2017 aids graduating Valley View High School seniors in pursuing careers in trade-related fields. Dupps Company is a fifth-generation, family-owned manufacturer in Germantown.

While the size and purpose of each fund is different, our donors share the same goal – to make a difference.

Customize Your Charitable Fund Today

Our development team will work with you and your financial or legal advisor to customize a plan that will enhance your charitable goals and offer you significant tax advantages.