Our Endowed Funds

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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Richard E. Wilson Memorial Fund – 2022 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. 

Susan B. Wilson Charitable Fund – 2021 honors the charitable interests of the donor by providing annual income so Safe Haven Farm, a community for those living with autism and developmental disabilities. 

The Philip H. and Jean H. Wagner Fund– 2003 contributes support to charities, as determined by its founders, Philip H. Wagner, former president of The Wagner-Smith Company, and his wife, Jean.

Waldruhe Park Fund – 1980 maintains Waldruhe Park in Miami Township and was created by the Schantz Trust. Gertrude Schantz Weng significantly added to this fund in 1994 through a bequest.

Fred and Frances Walther Family Fund – 1988 finances charitable projects of interest to the Walther family. Fred S. Walther, a retired executive and consultant to the Dayton-Walther Corp., and his late wife Frances, a former nurse, created this fund.

Howard T. and M. Marietta Walther Fund – 2002 provides unrestricted revenue for four designated charitable organizations, including The Dayton Foundation. The Walthers were married for 68 years.

Roger and Ann Wanamaker Foundation Fund – 1997 provides support to various charitable organizations, as gifted by this Xenia family.

Washington-Centerville Public Library Fund – 1994 endows the recreational and informational activities of this progressive library.

J. Edward Wasserman Endowment Fund of United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Central Ohio– 1992 memorializes the founder and first president of the local agency that serves area residents who have cerebral palsy or other developmental disabilities.

Paul & Susanne Weaver Family Fund – 2022 benefits organizations in the Dayton Region that support a wide variety of cultural arts which the Weavers continue to enjoy. Paul and Susanne believe performing and visual arts enrich lives and make our community stronger and more desirable for future generations.

The Benjamin Wegerzyn Legacy Society Endowment Fund – 2004 benefits the Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation, which is dedicated to educating Miami Valley residents about horticulture.

Frank G. Weigerding and Marvene M. Weigerding Fund – 2000 provide perpetual income to the donors’ designated nonprofit organizations, including The Dayton Foundation, to address pressing needs in Greater Dayton. The funds honor the memories of Marvene and Frank Weigerding, who were married for 55 years.

Doug Weikert Memorial Scholarship – 2021 helps select athletes graduating from Kettering Fairmont High School further their education at a two or four year university or college. Doug Weikert, an award-winning teacher and coach who was known as “Mr. Algebra,” took great pride in teaching his students math in a creative and fun way. He was equally dedicated to coaching track and field and basketball throughout his career. 

Weiland Family Foundation – 2022 supports the charitable interests of Carol Weiland and her late husband Robert “Jim” Weiland. Carol, a longtime community volunteer who UD basketball and to travel, and Jim, a longtime financial advisor who obtained a black belt in tae kwon do, have served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Associate Board of the Dayton Art Institute. 

John E. Weiser Fund – 1996 in memory of John E. Weiser, formerly of Miamisburg, provides unrestricted dollars to benefit the Greater Miami Valley community.

West Carrollton Education Foundation Fund – 1989 aims to improve the education of youth in the West Carrollton School District.

West Carrollton Spaghetti Club Fund – 2010 established by members of the West Carrollton Rotary Club, benefits nonprofits in the community by providing unrestricted operating revenue.

Westminster Presbyterian Church Legacy Endowment Fund – 2004 will assist this regional church, in its downtown Dayton location, with its work to increase the love of God and neighbor.

Willard and Eva Werth Fund – 2005 carries out the charitable wishes of Eva Werth and her late husband, Willard.

Mary Jane B. and Herbert E. Whalen, Jr., Fund – 1999 benefits various charitable organizations as advised by Mary Jane Whalen. Herbert Whalen, Jr., was a longtime community volunteer and worked as a general agent at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, Co.

Steve Whalen Memorial Fund – 1991 recognizes police officers who have made outstanding contributions to the community through community policing, and funds educational and training programs. This fund, created by the Steve Whalen Memorial Committee, is in memory of Steve Whalen, a City of Dayton police officer who was fatally shot in the line of duty.

Whitney Family Foundation – 2011 furthers the charitable interests of community advocates Betsy and Lee Whitney. Betsy Whitney is an emeritus member of The Dayton Foundation's Governing Board. Her late husband, Lee, was a longtime volunteer at Carillon Historical Park.

Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Fund for the Arts – 1999 celebrates the pleasure and joy this couple received from classical music by providing grants to arts organizations. Their son and daughter-in-law, Leon A. and Betsy B. Whitney, established this fund so others may share in his parents' love of the performing arts.

The Jeffrey K. Whittle and Margaret A. Cotter Fund – 2005 fulfills the charitable giving wishes of the donors.

Wesley E. & Florence L. Williams Fund – 2002 honors the memory of these two charitable individuals, by providing unrestricted funds to Normandy United Methodist Church and to The Dayton Foundation.

The Winger Family Foundation – 2003 helps ensure the Winger family's future charitable support for the arts and programs furthering the betterment and enrichment of the community. The fund was established by William R. Winger, founder of Hyde Park Electronics, Inc., and his wife Carolyn (Toni).

Ralph H. Winkler Fund – 1987 sponsors live or broadcast music and arts programs in the Greater Dayton area, as a memorial to local publisher Ralph Winkler.

Bunny and Woody Woodall Fund – 2000 was established by Alonzo Woodall in loving memory of his parents, Frederick "Woody" Woodall and Nellie "Bunny" O'Bryan Woodall, by awarding annual unrestricted income to four local charitable organizations.

Woodhull Family Fund – 1992 entrusts the Foundation's Governing Board with allocating income to assist the community where needs are the greatest. Bequests from James R. and Helen B. Woodhull created this fund.

Sara E. Woodhull Charitable Fund - 2015 furthers the charitable interests of the donor by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations.

Herman and Dorothy Worsham Fund – 2002 assists in the unrestricted purposes of The Dayton Foundation. Herman Worsham was a native Kentuckian who moved to Dayton in 1937 to serve as chief engineer of the national business department of Frigidaire.

The Wright Family Foundation – 2005 supports the preservation of aviation history related to Orville and Wilbur Wright, by funding research and publication of aviation history, scholarships for studies in the fields of aviation and aeronautics, educational programming, the restoration and display of aviation artifacts, and landmarks and memorials related to the Wright Brothers' story. Established by Wilkinson Wright, the Wright Brothers' grandnephew, the fund is advised by Stephen Wright and Amanda Wright Lane, great-grandnephew and grandniece.

Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation Fund – 1996 was established to enhance collections, facilities and reference materials of Oakwood's Wright Memorial Public Library by encouraging giving from the broader community.

The Ray Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund – 2006 grants scholarships to students employed by McDonald's Restaurant. Mr. Wright, a strong advocate of higher education and helping others reach their full potential, began his career with McDonald's at age 16. He went on to become the owner/operator of five McDonald's restaurants in the Miami Valley before he passed away in 2005.

Wright Patterson Forbeck Family Scholarship Fund – 2015 helps children of enlisted members of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to further their education. The fund honors the Forbeck family’s association with WPAFB, which began in 1941 when Eleanor and Clarence Forbeck started working at Wright and Patterson Fields.

Christopher and Jamie Wyse Family Fund – 2018 advances the charitable interests of the donors, who feel it is important to give back to the community and organizations that do good for others.