Forty-six discretionary and Greenlight GrantsSM totaling $724,983 were awarded by The Dayton Foundation’s volunteer Grants Committee and approved by the Foundation’s Governing Board to address emerging needs and opportunities in the region. These grants, made possible thanks to individuals who have established unrestricted or lightly restricted charitable funds, promoted efforts in the arts and culture, health, education, human services, philanthropy and other community-building endeavors.
Discretionary grants totaling $652,983 were awarded to the following organizations.
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality ($30,000) to support the Miami Valley Environmental Justice Partnership project, providing neighborhood leaders and community-based organizations with grant writing support and microgrant opportunities.
Bottom Line ($25,000) to provide 120 students from Dayton Public Schools with full-time, trauma-trained advisors to help them navigate the college application process during their senior year.
Boys and Girls Club of Dayton ($75,000) to construct a new 37,000-square-foot, ADA-compliant facility with usable program spaces and more storage capacity to enrich the overall club experience.
Brukner Nature Center ($20,000) to add concrete walkways to the driveway, parking area and trails, making outdoor areas easier to navigate for all visitors.
Caesar's Ford Theatre ($10,000) to support the creation, writing, filming and post-production of a new film to reform the theatrical representation of American-Indian history.
Choices in Community Living, Inc. ($8,000) to purchase and install a new generator to ensure uninterrupted service during adverse weather conditions or emergencies.
County Corp ($13,500) to develop a marketing plan to increase community engagement and outreach.
Dayton Movies / d.b.a. The Neon ($10,000) to improve attendees’ experiences by expanding and renovating The Neon patio.
Dayton Theatre Guild ($10,000) to install solar panels to power the building, allowing the Guild to redirect resources into its core mission.
Downtown Dayton Partnership Corporation ($25,000) to help develop the Courthouse Square Transformation Project Plan and revitalize this underutilized space.
Economic & Community Development Institute ($20,000) to support the new Women’s Business Center at Central State University and expand ECDI’s services and programming for small businesses.
Elizabeth's New Life Center ($20,000) to replace 12 HVAC units at two of the organization’s properties.
The Foodbank ($75,000) to support the construction of a new Community Centered Building that will include workforce development, medical exam rooms and wrap-around services programming.
Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley ($25,183) to purchase and maintain visual diagnostic and assistive equipment.
Greene County FISH (Friends In Service to Humanity) Pantry ($20,000) to purchase a new freezer and cooler to help accommodate additional food donations.
The Learning Tree Farm, Inc. ($10,800) to purchase a utility tractor to help manage the Farm and support its mission to uphold sustainable agricultural practices.
Little Art Theatre Association, Inc. ($25,000) to support the historic restoration of a marquee, the façade and six indigenous culture murals to reclaim the theatre’s 1940s art deco heritage.
Montgomery County Law Enforcement ($37,500) to support the construction of a memorial to honor law enforcement officers from across all 33 agencies in Montgomery County.
National Aviation Hall of Fame ($25,000) to fund Phase II of the Discovering Flight Innovation Lab.
NPower, Inc. ($25,000) to provide the IT Tech Fundamentals Training Program to military-connected individuals and young adults from underserved communities in the Dayton Region.
Parity, Inc. ($75,000) to build organizational capacity to continue existing work and expand programming.
Preschool Promise ($20,000) to help communicate to parents the Be Ready by Five program resources, including a centralized online system for families to research and apply for programs.
Rebuilding Together Dayton, Inc. ($25,000) to expand the Falls Prevention program to protect older adults from the dangers of falls.
We Care Arts, Inc. ($15,000) to replace the organization’s 20-year-old roof.
Xenia Adult Recreation & Services Center ($8,000) to purchase a modified minivan to help support programs for seniors who reside in their own homes.
The Foundation’s Greenlight Grants program assists organizations seeking quick, small grants for special projects, program expansions, capital improvements or capacity building. In recent months, $72,000 in Greenlight Grants was awarded to the following organizations.
Affecting Community Transformation Oasis House ($2,500) to make exterior repairs and help sustain the safety and quality of the home for current and future residents.
America's Packard Museum ($2,000) to install period-correct and environmentally efficient exterior pendant lights.
The Bach Society of Dayton ($5,150) to purchase a harpsichord to perform music in a manner that adheres to the composers' specifications.
Building Bridges, Inc. ($4,450) to complete the organization’s website upgrade and enhance its digital presence.
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley ($3,000) to purchase a new software program.
Daybreak ($2,500) to support necessary upgrades to its facility and programming.
Dayton Diaper Depot ($1,000) to help establish the organization’s new location to better serve community members in need of hygiene products.
Dayton Metro Chapter BHS ($3,500) to help purchase modern choral risers with safety features for the singers.
Dayton Public Radio - WDPR ($5,000) to add a member donation portal to the existing customer management system, a new donation web page and an additional module to give radio hosts remote access to the music system.
Dayton Sewing Collaborative ($5,950) to establish a pilot Fashion Club at Belmont High School.
Habitat for Humanity ($3,500) to implement an updated software database to support the organization’s accounting team and align business departments.
Mercy Manor, Inc. ($4,000) to support the development of a three- to five-year strategic and fundraising plan.
Miami Valley Leadership Foundation ($2,500) to support the one-time implementation costs for the MVLF Connect App.
Miami Valley Meals ($2,000) to update the organization’s basement facilities.
Mosaic Church ($3,000) to help purchase commercial-grade kitchen appliances, cookware and utensils.
937 Hoop Dreams ($3,350) to acquire court-regulated basketballs and two additional professional-grade portable basketball hoops.
Ohio Historical Society / d.b.a. Ohio History Connection ($3,000) to provide free history education programming for Dayton-area schools.
Sidewalk Soldiers ($3,100) to enhance the operational capacities of its drop-in centers for women who have been or are at risk of being sex trafficked and streamline processes across its locations.
A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio ($5,000) to conduct board development training to better serve families, partners and the community.
StoryChain LLC ($3,500) to expand this storytelling program that connects incarcerated parents with their children.
We Love Birthday Parties ($4,000) to conduct a comprehensive strategic planning process to ensure that the organization’s expansion into Montgomery County is successful and sustainable.
More information about The Dayton Foundation and its competitive grants programs is available at https://www.daytonfoundation.org/grant-opportunities or by calling (937) 222-0410.