Spring 2017

Thanks to J. Norman Eckstein

J. Norman Eckstein

Norm Eckstein’s 18-month term as chair of The Dayton Foundation’s Governing Board came to a close at the end of 2016, and we would like to thank him for his outstanding leadership during his tenure.

Under his chairmanship, the Foundation made significant strides in its mission to empower others through philanthropy and community leadership. These included the awarding of more than 25,000 grants totaling $68 million to nonprofit organizations locally and across the country. Of this amount, $1.5 million was awarded in Board-directed discretionary grants that helped local organizations to develop arts- and nature-based after school programs; provided food for individuals in need; expanded support programs for individuals with cancer; and offered dental clinics for individuals with HIV, among other efforts.

During this same time, the Foundation assisted individuals, families and organizations in furthering their charitable goals through the creation of 212 new Charitable Checking Accounts℠ and 155 new endowed funds. Included among these were 15 new, unrestricted and lightly restricted funds that help the Foundation address the most pressing community needs and opportunities today and long into the future.

Under Norm’s leadership, the Foundation adopted a new community initiative focused on encore careers for the region’s senior adult population, thanks to a $1 million gift from Del Mar Healthcare and its DMH-Fund.

A record dollar amount for new contributions combined with sound investment management added $41 million in charitable assets, bringing the Foundation’s community resources to an all-time high of $505 million.

Under Norm’s leadership, the Foundation adopted a new, three-year community initiative focused on encore careers for the region’s senior adult population. The Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative, made possible thanks to a $1 million gift from Del Mar Healthcare and its DMH-Fund of The Dayton Foundation, will engage five highly talented and experienced older adults to help advance impactful community efforts.

Further strides also were made on Learn to Earn Dayton, a cradle-to-career education and workforce initiative, as well as Miami Valley Works, where Norm served as the first co-chair of the Leadership Council. Miami Valley Works is having a marked impact on removing barriers that prevent individuals from holding steady work and gaining self-sufficiency. The Montgomery County Ohio College Promise program also witnessed its second graduating cohort of students, bringing the program that much closer to fulfilling the dreams of 500 Montgomery County children from low-income families to attend and graduate from college.

Furthermore, the Foundation launched the Greenlight Grants program to address a need expressed by area nonprofits for small, quick funding. This competitive grants program has awarded nearly $100,000 since its launch in early 2016 to help special projects, program expansions and capital improvements.

We are so grateful to Norm for his dedicated and thoughtful leadership. He has led the Foundation through growth and many important accomplishments on behalf of the community that he cares for deeply. He has given generously of his time and wisdom to the Foundation since he joined the Board in 2011, and we are pleased to have his trusted counsel on the Board for the remainder of his term. Thank you, Norm!