New Endowment Funds

Establishing a strong foundation for our community’s future is a vision shared by donors who have endowment funds at The Dayton Foundation. The following funds are some of the new endowments established by donors in recent months to support their special charitable causes, now and in the future.

Leona and Jane Dunwoodie

Leona E. Dunwoodie Charitable Fund provides income to the American Red Cross Dayton Area Chapter, University of Dayton Libraries and Westminster Presbyterian Church. A child of Hungarian immigrants, Leona followed the example set by her parents of giving back to her community and country. She instilled the same traditions of helping others in her children. This fund continues in perpetuity the charitable giving that Leona held dear.

Robert S. Early, Sr.

Robert S. Early, Sr., Memorial Youth Scholarship* awards scholarships to African-American students in Montgomery County who participate in baseball, softball or golf. The Roosevelt High School Class of 1968 established the fund in memory of their beloved class vice president, Robert Early, Sr., who lived his life with a can-do attitude.

Ernst Family Scholarship, established by Ernst Concrete, a fourth-generation, family-owned business that provides ready mix concrete and related services, awards scholarships to help its employees’ children further their education.

Evening of Strings Founders Fund honors the memories of Lawrence Frazier, William Scutt and John Wildman, who created Evening of Strings in 1968 to bring together area high schools in musical fellowship for an orchestral performance each year. The fund helps cover costs for guest conductors, venue expenses and music purchases, among other activities.

John W. and Carolyn Farrow Garland

John W. Garland and Carolyn Farrow-Garland Non-Endowed Fund* provides financial support to Central State University (CSU), among other charitable interests of the donors. The fund was established by John Garland, CSU president from 1997 to 2012, and his wife, Carolyn.

Esther Roth Gillette

Esther Roth Gillette Registered Nurse Scholarship honors the memory of this longtime registered nurse by awarding scholarships to help students pursue a career in nursing. A loving mother and grandmother, Esther and her husband, Dale, were married for 62 years before her passing in 2016.

Dann and Elaine Hotelling

Hotelling Family Foundation carries out the charitable interests of Elaine and Dann Hotelling, who were inspired by their faith and their parents’ examples of generosity to create this charitable fund.

Dorothy R. Kohlmeyer Scholarship Fund designates funds to Anna Local Schools for an annual scholarship awarded to a graduating senior. The student must hold the highest grade point average in his or her class and plan to attend a private college or university.

Blake LaForce

Blake LaForce #41 Memorial Scholarship Fund** awards scholarships to one female and one male student athlete at Butler High School (BHS) each year to help them further their education. The fund memorializes BHS graduate Blake LaForce, an outstanding athlete and devoted Christian who fought a courageous battle against leukemia before his passing in 2009.

Edmund H. Moore

Edmund H. Moore Designated Endowment Fund* designates 12 local and national nonprofit organizations, including the Cal Lynn Crawford Scholarship Fund of The Dayton Foundation, FAMU Foundation, Omega Baptist Church and Parity, Inc., to receive unrestricted income.

Rebecca Bone Pelfrey Memorial Scholarship Fund** helps Butler High School (BHS) seniors further their education. Three annual scholarships are awarded from the fund, two for legacy graduates and another for a student who is interested in pursuing a career in design. The fund was established in memory of Rebecca Bone Pelfrey, a BHS graduate and talented designer who enjoyed decorating homes and creating clothing.

Joanne G. Shank

Joanne G. Shank Fund enhances reading and other literacy skills of economically or otherwise disadvantaged area youth by awarding grants to support literacy programs and activities. Dr. Joanne Shank, a longtime educator, believes that it’s important that all children develop literacy skills at an early age.

John and Patricia (Nana) Stueve Fund advances the donors’ charitable interests by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations important to them.

Nicholas Taylor

Nicholas Taylor Go Mission Fund honors the memory of Nicholas Taylor, a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, who impacted many lives during his 22 years. The fund helps students serve on Christian mission trips, an experience that was life changing for Nicholas.

Fisher House at the Dayton V.A. Medical Center

V.A. Fisher House Fund supports this compassionate care facility located at the Dayton V.A. Medical Center. Fisher House helps provide physical and emotional support for veterans and military servicemen and women by giving them and their families the opportunity to stay together while a loved one is undergoing medical treatment. ❧

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