Because of donors who have placed no or very few restrictions on their endowment funds, The Dayton Foundation has been able to help address our community's most pressing problems and opportunities through the discretionary grantmaking process.

In 2007, the Foundation awarded $205,500 in discretionary grants, which are approved by the Foundation’s Governing Board to the following Miami Valley charitable organizations. Discretionary grants represent a small portion of the approximately 15,000 grants awarded to charities annually from Foundation funds, as directed or advised by donors.

Access Center for Independent Living ($12,500): To help provide used medical equipment to individuals with disabilities.

ArtsParts ($8,000): To assist in hiring a part-time regional arts education coordinator.

Aviation Heritage Foundation ($7,500): To aid in developing marketing materials that the foundation will distribute at the Farnborough International Air Show in England.

Aviation Trail, Inc. ($10,000): To help complete the Parachute Museum’s final phase of construction, including adding interactive exhibits and videos.

Community Blood Center ($25,000): To support Classroom on Wheels, a mobile, interactive vehicle that educates students about blood biology, blood donation and blood circulation.

Dayton Public Radio ($10,000): To assist in expanding public radio service in the region by building a new broadcast studio for use by WDPR 88.1 FM, WMUB 88.5 FM and WYSO 91.3 FM.

Dayton Urban League ($7,500): To help transport homeless individuals participating in the LifeReady Transitional Jobs Program to employment opportunities.

Diabetes Association of the Dayton Area ($7,500): To provide diabetic testing supplies to underinsured or uninsured diabetes patients.

Humane Society of Greater Dayton ($25,000): To assist in hiring a full-time director of development for a three-year capacity-building project.

Miami Valley Literacy Council ($10,000): To help purchase educational materials for the Council’s adult literacy programs.

Muse Machine ($10,000): To help implement an arts residency program in local elementary schools.

National Federation of the Blind Ohio ($10,000): To enable individuals with physical and visual disabilities to receive local newspapers by touch-tone phone or e-mail.

The Other Place ($10,000): To help implement a two-part technology enhancement plan to effectively manage a donor database and to solicit new donors.

Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio ($15,000): To develop a youth empowerment team to advocate for policies and programs that help youth make responsible decisions about their sexuality.

Preble County Youth Foundation ($25,000): To help expand the Preble County YMCA’s facility and programs.

Toward Independence ($12,500): To develop new services that enhance the lives of individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.