All of these organizations have been researched by our Community Engagement Department, and a summary of their grant proposals is included.
As you may see, for many of these requests, we were able to fund only to a certain level. The organizations may still have needs associated with their specified programs. Or, in some cases, the projects may be complete but the organizations may have more needs that require funding. If you would like additional information about these programs or to support other important work, please feel free to contact the charities directly.
Discretionary Grants
Athletes in Action Sports Complex & Retreat Center | Residence Hall Renovation
$38,208 Project Budget | $9,552 Granted
Athletes in Action Sports Complex & Retreat Center, in Xenia, Ohio, serves as a regional hub for sports camps, leagues, team retreats and tournaments. The center hosts more than 250,000 visitors and 9,000 overnight guests each year, including sports teams and international visitors. The dormitory facilities are in need of upgrades. Funds will be used to replace the mattresses and mattress covers to maintain a high-quality, comfortable and sanitary environment for overnight guests.
Eric Nelson, President, (937) 352-1000
Dayton Dream Center | Adopt-A-Block Expansion
$100,000 Project Budget | $25,000 Granted
The Dayton Dream Center’s mission is to address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of poverty, addiction, education, abuse, joblessness and community reentry. Funds will be used to transition the nonprofit organization’s Adopt-A-Block program, which serves East Dayton by addressing addiction, homelessness, food insecurity and barriers to health access, into a permanent initiative that creates lasting community impact.
Christine Sexton, Executive Director, (937) 469-8840
Learn to Earn Dayton | Access to Counsel Expansion in Dayton
$509,437 Project Budget | $70,000 Granted
Learn to Earn Dayton focuses on transforming systems through data, partnerships and policy to ensure all learners in the Dayton Region have the resources and opportunities that foster lifelong success and economic mobility. Through its Access to Counsel program, L2ED addresses housing instability and the impact it has on student attendance and success. A 2025 pilot in Northwest Dayton revealed a significant legal gap for tenants who are rarely represented and showed strong outcomes in preventing evictions and stabilizing families. Funds will be used to expand the program citywide, add an early alert system for student evictions and increase outreach through legal and social services to keep families housed and promote long-term solutions. Partners in the program include ABLE, City of Dayton Clerk of Courts, CityWide, Dayton Public Schools, Omega CDC and RISE Northwest.
Stacy Schweikhart, CEO, (937) 236-9965
Mission of Mary Cooperative | Campus Expansion
$240,000 Project Budget | $60,000 Granted
Mission of Mary Cooperative invests in Dayton’s inner east side by transforming vacant land into vegetable gardens and partnering with neighbors to sustainably develop the community. Funds will be used to support the renovation of a home in Dayton’s Twin Towers neighborhood, adjacent to MMC’s headquarters. This property will provide affordable, high-quality housing for interns and seasonal staff, strengthen the mission of food access and education, and expand the campus footprint.
Michael P. Schulz, Executive Director, (937) 824-0124
Northeast Churches Emergency Center | Food Pantry Improvements
$85,276 Project Budget | $13,986 Granted
The Northeast Churches Emergency Center operates a pantry in Dayton to provide food for residents in need. The center has been operating from its current facility since 2014, serving as a critical resource for thousands of individuals in the zip codes surrounding its Webster Street location. Funds will be used for building improvements, including exterior enhancements and restroom renovations.
Blanca Schwendeman, President, (937) 559-1049
OH Taste Foundation | 6888 Kitchen Incubator Phase 2
$1,084,508 Project Budget | $60,000 Granted
OH Taste Foundation focuses on growing the local economy by providing resources for food entrepreneurs through the establishment of incubator kitchens, financial literacy programs, and agricultural and workplace development initiatives. Funds will be used to support Phase 2 of the 6888 Kitchen Incubator, the nonprofit organization’s premier project. The program provides underrepresented individuals with the tools, community and space to grow their businesses by expanding its kitchen infrastructure to serve 50 food entrepreneurs and advance food equity and economic mobility in marginalized communities.
Dabriah Rice, Executive Director, (937) 673-2232
Pink Ribbon Good, Inc. | New Headquarters
$1,011,000 Project Budget | $50,000 Granted
Pink Ribbon Good provides practical support for cancer patients and their families. Demand for services has grown sharply, with a 400 percent increase in assistance and now spanning eight regions. In 2024, PRG delivered 261,000 meals, nearly 30,000 rides to treatment and thousands of cleaning kits. Funds will be used to complete its capital campaign to purchase a renovated office building in Troy, which will serve as its national headquarters and support continued growth.
Wesleigh Cummings, VP of Growth & Strategy, (937) 750-9056
We Care Arts, Inc. | Outreach and ArtWORKS Expansion Initiative
$163,600 Project Budget | $40,900 Granted
We Care Arts empowers healing through art and community. Funds will be used to strengthen the infrastructure and long-term sustainability of its Outreach and ArtWORKS programs. This support will enhance the organization’s capacity and ensure it can continue to safely, effectively and sustainably meet the rising demand for trauma-informed arts programming for adults with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Katie Neubert, Executive Director, (937) 252-3937
Greenlight GrantsSM
Darke County Historical Society, Inc. | Handicap-Accessible Ramp Repair
$4,300 Project Budget | $4,300 Granted
The Garst Museum, under the operation of the Darke County Historical Society, offers programs for people of all ages and walks of life. Permanent exhibits help preserve the history of Darke County and its relevance to the American experience. Funds will be used to repair a deteriorating exterior handicap-accessible ramp and safety railings at the museum’s main entrance to maintain ADA-accessibility standards while providing a safer environment for staff, visitors and students.
Dr. Clay Johnson, President and CEO, (937) 548-5250
Dayton Society of Artists | Infrastructure Improvements
$23,084 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
The Dayton Society of Artists serves the community by offering a safe space for artists and the public to experience art, participate in workshops and access professional development. Funds will be used for critical infrastructure improvements to its historic building, including replacing deteriorating windows and upgrading the air conditioning system to help protect artwork and create a more comfortable space for visitors and artists.
Tamiko Stump, Executive Director, (937) 228-4532
Dignity Exchange | Office Upgrades
$34,500 Project Budget | $1,500 Granted
Dignity Exchange, a Xenia-based nonprofit organization, provides hygiene products to anyone struggling financially in Greene County, Ohio. Funds will be used to purchase shelving units and office equipment, better enabling the organization to meet growing demand and improve operations by managing inventory, streamlining communications and producing materials in-house. These upgrades will address current space and efficiency challenges, allowing for improved organization, inventory tracking and a more accessible storefront experience.
Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, (937) 708-8009
Eastmont United Methodist Church | Shepherd Inn Housing Website
$8,100 Project Budget | $3,197 Granted
Eastmont United Methodist Church launched Shepherd Inn Ohio to provide supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly for persons requiring additional wraparound services. Funds will be used for the design and implementation of a website to help with fundraising for the construction of three duplexes that would house women, children and pets.
Timothy Forbess, Pastor and Mission Director, (937) 672-6117
Eastway Corporation | Kitchen Upgrades
$26,760 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
Eastway Behavioral Healthcare’s mission is to advance the overall health and security of individuals and the community by providing excellent mental health, rehabilitation and housing services, as well as advocacy for individuals with special needs. Funds will be used for a compliant commercial kitchen renovation at Webster Street Academy, an intensive day treatment program for youth ages 11 to 17 who have significant emotional and behavioral challenges.
Lesley Brose, CEO, (937) 496-2000
Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative | Automotive Service Technician Program
$25,900 Project Budget | $7,400 Granted
Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative’s mission is to empower people seeking recovery and aging out of foster care to rebuild their lives through transformational and vocational pathways. Funds will be used to equip the Automotive Service Technician Program on the Emerge campus, eliminating transportation barriers and aligning the program with other skilled-trades offerings. The 300-hour certification blends classroom learning with hands-on training using industry-standard equipment, preparing up to 24 students annually for in-demand automotive careers and providing a pathway to stability and living-wage employment.
Allison Steele, Director of Development, (513) 889-7166
Flourishing Under Distress Given Encouragement, Inc. | Peer Support and Resource Program
$7,500 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
Flourishing Under Distress Given Encouragement, a.k.a. The FUDGE Foundation, supports individuals on their journey of grief and healing from traumatic events. Funds will be used to implement a comprehensive, community-centered strategy to reduce gun violence and crime in Montgomery County. At the heart of this initiative is a new full-service resource center located in a high-need area to serve as a safe, accessible hub that supports programming and technology for the community.
Dion Green, CEO, (937) 580-8556
4 Paws for Ability, Inc. | Parking Lot Upgrades
$7,050 Project Budget | $5,000 Granted
4 Paws for Ability breeds, raises, trains and places service dogs with children and veterans who have disabilities. Funds will be used to resurface and upgrade the parking lot to ensure safe, accessible and equitable access. These updates will improve navigation and accessibility for families attending service dog placement classes, local veteran programs, volunteers who assist with training and socialization, and the staff and visitors who use the facility daily.
KaLynn Clark, Senior Development Director, (937) 944-3580
Greater Dayton Union Cooperative Initiative DBA Co-op Dayton | The Co-op Games
$16,786 Project Budget | $5,000 Granted
Co-op Dayton organizes community movement and incubates cooperative enterprises for a just local economy. Funds will be used to support The Co-op Games, an interactive training model that teaches cooperative governance, democratic decision-making and business financial literacy through hands-on exercises. This initiative will directly provide practical education and entrepreneurship training, as well as expand Co-op Dayton’s capacity to conduct future programming.
Cherrelle Gardner, Executive Director, (937) 369-0473
Kids Read Now | Bilingual Financial Literacy Training Modules
$9,000 Project Budget | $5,500 Granted
Kids Read Now delivers in-home book programs that get pre-K through grade 5 students reading more frequently and consistently. Funds will be used to develop, translate and pilot four family financial literacy training modules in the Dayton Region to serve as the foundation for a nationally scalable financial literacy curriculum for bilingual families.
Kristen Walter, CEO, (828) 674-2724
Muse Machine | Summer Institute for Educators
$52,721 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
Muse Machine is a nationally celebrated arts education organization serving nearly 77,000 students and their teachers each year. Funds will be used for the 2026 Summer Institute, a free professional development program for educators focused on integrating documentary filmmaking into the classroom. Through hands-on experience with professional artists and a partnership with Wright State University, teachers will create mini-documentaries and develop arts-integrated lesson plans across subjects. The program strengthens student engagement and achievement by equipping educators with creative, standards-aligned teaching strategies that will impact thousands of learners in the region.
Ruth Reveal, Executive Director, (937) 222-6873
Piqua Arts Council | Capacity-Building Campaign
$27,150 Project Budget | $4,000 Granted
The Piqua Arts Council is dedicated to bringing the arts to the community through education, support and presentation. PAC is currently in the first phase of a major capital project to renovate a historic bank in its new Arts Center. Funds will be used to support the cost of hiring experienced consultants to guide PAC through this period of growth and transition, expanding programming and increasing arts access for Piqua and Miami County residents.
Sara Wilson, Executive Director, (937) 773-9630
Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development | Neurodevelopment Resources
$1,396 Project Budget | $896 Granted
Funds will be used to purchase the BlazePod Ultimate PT Clinic Bundle, an innovative, light-based reaction training system that enhances neurodevelopmental therapy and educational interventions for individuals with neurological conditions. Through this project, the Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development will enhance its ability to deliver innovative, individualized care, advancing its mission to help individuals with special needs achieve their maximum potential while continuing to serve as a vital resource for families across the community.
Carla Bertke, Executive Director, (937) 773-7630
St. Vincent de Paul Society | DePaul Center Kitchens Improvements
$7,500 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
St. Vincent de Paul Society’s services are constantly adapting to the changing needs of the Dayton community. Funds will be used to improve the accessibility and efficiency of the kitchens at the DePaul Center supportive housing facility to create more opportunities for residents to develop essential life skills in meal planning, nutrition, and food safety and preparation. These skills are critical for promoting greater independence and self-sufficiency for residents as they work toward achieving their personal goals and moving into the broader community.
Angie Grilliot, Executive Director, (937) 222-0752
A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio | Website Upgrades
$6,500 Project Budget | $6,000 Granted
A Special Wish Foundation of Southwest Ohio’s mission is to grant the wishes of children or adolescents (birth through age 20) who have been diagnosed by a physician with a life-threatening disorder. The nonprofit organization’s current site is outdated, difficult to update and requires donors to manually submit each recurring gift, which likely results in lost revenue. Funds will be used to create a professional, user-friendly website featuring a streamlined donation process, timely information and a new blog to strengthen donor retention, expand community engagement and increase the organization’s capacity to carry out its mission.
David Harold Seyer, President, (937) 641-4267
StoryChain | StoryChain for Children
$60,000 Project Budget | $4,000 Granted
StoryChain connects incarcerated individuals with their children through community outreach, literacy intervention and audio technology. Funds will be used to launch a new literacy program that allows children of incarcerated parents to record stories in return – mirroring the successful model long used with incarcerated mothers and fathers. In partnership with Montgomery County libraries and literacy centers, the program will offer children and teens the opportunity to build reading skills, confidence and connection to their families.
Jonathan Platt, Executive Director, (937) 510-4600
United Missionary Baptist Church | Food Pantry Deep Freezers
$6,368 Project Budget | $6,368 Granted
United Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton has been faithfully serving the church and community since 2004. Funds will be used to purchase, deliver and install two commercial-grade deep freezers to expand the storage capacity of its food pantry and better serve families experiencing food insecurity in West Dayton. Additional freezer capacity will allow the food pantry to accept larger food distributions, reduce food waste and provide healthier, more balanced meal options to families who often struggle to afford fresh foods.
Rev. Dr. Leroy Cothran, Pastor, (937) 274-3324
Valor Therapeutics, Inc. | Soul Recovery Launch
$26,900 Project Budget | $3,000 Granted
Valor Therapeutics is a nonprofit organization that offers music and art therapy and yoga to veterans in Dayton, Ohio. Funds will be used to implement Soul Recovery, an innovative, trauma-informed therapeutic program for justice-involved veterans participating in veterans treatment courts. Soul Recovery directly addresses brain health barriers to improve recovery outcomes, increase VTC graduation rates and strengthen public safety. By improving emotional regulation and strengthening protective factors, such as connectedness and coping skills, Soul Recovery supports long-term employment, housing stability and successful reintegration for its participants.
Ryan Garrison, Executive Director, (937) 938-0446
Violence Free Futures | Safe House Facility Toilet Replacement
$8,554 Project Budget | $5,000 Granted
Violence Free Futures works to end family, relationship and sexual violence and its impact in Greene County through prevention, intervention, collaborative community programs and safe housing. Funds will be used to replace the existing residential-grade toilets in its domestic violence shelter with commercial-grade, high-pressure flushing toilets. This capital improvement project is necessary to address ongoing plumbing failures impacting the safety, sanitation and functionality of the shelter.
Celeste Hurley, CEO, (937) 426-6535
With God's Grace Mobile Food Pantry | Refrigerators and Shelving Units
$25,000 Project Budget | $2,500 Granted
With God’s Grace Mobile Food Pantry helps families in need feed members of their households and shows people they are cared for and have value. Funds will be used to purchase refrigerators and shelving units for the Pantry to increase distribution frequency, expand outreach locations and strengthen the organization’s ability to serve thousands of families more effectively.
Nicole Adkins, Executive Director, (937) 397-4124