In recent months, The Dayton Foundation has awarded $802,600 to 21 Greater Dayton charities through its competitive discretionary and Greenlight Grants℠ programs. These grants, which were awarded by the Foundation’s volunteer Grants Committee and approved by the Governing Board, were made possible thanks to individuals and families who have established unrestricted or lightly restricted charitable funds that address the region’s emerging needs and opportunities.
Discretionary grants totaling $750,000 were awarded to the following organizations.
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley ($75,000) to help construct a 6,000-square-foot pantry, including inventory storage space, new refrigeration, and a ground-floor welcome center and additional space for clients to shop.
The Conscious Connect Community Development Corporation ($75,000) to revitalize the current Delaware Avenue park, including upgrading all park amenities, helping to transform the abandoned community space into a vibrant neighborhood asset.
Crayons to Classrooms ($60,000) to secure a 10,000-square-foot warehouse space so that they may securely store educational items, as well as stock special items, including socks, underwear, menstrual hygiene products, social-emotional learning tools and financial literacy learning aids.
4 Paws for Ability, Inc. ($15,000) to expand the number of dog runs, add a play yard and increase functional outdoor space for dogs being trained for individuals with disabilities.
Homefull ($75,000) to assist in building a 48,000-square-foot Health, Food and Jobs Center on Gettysburg Avenue.
Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region ($75,000) to help fund upgrades to a new, piloted staff training center within the Dayton Health Center.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton ($75,000) to support the construction of a 38,000-square-foot facility that will deliver wraparound services to address the social determinants of health which pose barriers for caretakers to participate in pediatric healthcare.
Sunlight Village ($75,000) to create the Healthy Family Market, providing West Dayton’s low-income women, families and young children with convenient access to nutritious, affordable, fresh and high-quality food products.
United Church Homes ($75,000) to help develop a 126-unit, age 55+ residential community that will be welcoming and enriching for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Victory Project ($75,000) to help renovate a West Dayton facility for a Boys Campus that will aid in empowering young men through afterschool programs.
Wild Hearts African Farm ($75,000) to support a new, 27-acre Education Center, including an EcoDome, pastures, STEM barn, livestock buildings and cropland, that will encourage discussions on water quality, sustainable agriculture and endangered animals.
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, $52,600 in Greenlight Grants℠ was awarded to the following organizations.
Brukner Nature Center ($1,087) to add an informational kiosk to help raise awareness of the organization and to display hours, hiking trails and various community engagement opportunities.
Family Violence Prevention Center ($2,500) to help repair the Safe Housing program building, creating a safe and healthy living environment.
Good Neighbor House ($7,500) to purchase two, reach-in freezer and refrigerator units and a pallet scale.
Good Samaritan Foundation Dayton ($5,000) to build a new, cloud-based database to increase efficiency, improve user experience and increase the security of data storage.
Hatch Architects Design Center ($7,500) to offer a six-week program for Omega CDC’s Camp HOPE Freedom School students who will design and build an architectural element for the community.
Humane Society of Greater Dayton ($7,500) to purchase an animal trailer for transporting farm animals in need of care and rehabilitation, as well as aiding in the rescue of large hoarding cases of domesticated animals and to help reunite displaced or injured pets with their families during community disasters.
Little Art Theatre Association ($5,000) to upgrade, replace, and add technology equipment and software, as well as expand the types of programming, that will increase services and create greater work efficiency.
Miami Valley Nonprofit Collaborative ($2,656) to incorporate technology that will enable the organization to grow and effectively serve the community.
The National Conference for Community & Justice of Greater Dayton ($7,500) to create a new, three-year strategic plan, including identifying future revenue sources, program opportunities, grant directions and potential new development positions within the organization.
Single Parents Rock ($6,357) to purchase a vehicle for transporting victims of domestic violence, especially African-American females with children.
More information about The Dayton Foundation and its competitive grants programs is available at daytonfoundation.org or by calling (937) 222-0410.