For Dayton transplants Janet and Vernon Fernandes, changing Greater Dayton – and the world – for the better is at the heart of their desire to give back. Charitable giving and volunteerism have been a priority throughout their lives, habits they began as young children putting money in the donation box at church.
“We give out of gratitude for our good fortune and our deep appreciation for our community,” said Vernon, who came to Dayton in 1986 for a job opportunity after graduating from Purdue University. “Giving is important because it is a part of the social contract that binds us together and can help right a wrong.”
As owner of FourJay Industries, a worldclass loudspeaker manufacturing company, Vernon is a strong advocate for the arts. He served for eight years on the board for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, including a term as chair during the pandemic. He currently serves on the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District Board and is the chair of its Grants Committee.
While the arts are important to the Fernandeses, they also believe in supporting urgent community needs, such as cleaning up environmental contamination in low-income areas and achieving equitable opportunities for all our region’s citizens.
“By some estimates, 40 percent of children in Dayton live below the poverty level. There are some neighborhoods in Dayton where life expectancy is ten years less than in affluent neighborhoods like Oakwood,” Vernon said. “Although Janet and I have thrived, we are saddened to see all the people who haven’t been given a fair shake. Trying to make a difference helps us not feel hopeless and embarrassed by our failure to do better.
In 2022 Janet and Vernon established a Charitable Checking AccountSM through The Dayton Foundation to manage their current charitable giving. They also established a designated deferred fund through the Foundation earlier this year to support organizations long after they are gone, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Metro Library Foundation and WDPR.
“The Dayton Foundation allows us to donate to our favorite causes in a disciplined, tax-efficient manner,” said Janet. “It also helps guide our planned giving through inspiration from other like-minded individuals.”
Being a part of The Dayton Foundation family helps the Fernandeses to “be the change” in the community they’ve grown to love since they made it their home in the 1980s.
“It is important to have The Dayton Foundation to draw attention to the needs of our community and to help coordinate efforts to alleviate those needs,” Vernon said. “Community means loving and caring for everyone around you. The folks who live in the Greater Dayton community are my extended family because we choose to call this Gem City home.”