To culminate its 60th anniversary year, the Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts (MRF) today announced a new partnership with The Dayton Foundation to better serve the citizens of the Dayton area and its arts community. Now a fund of The Dayton Foundation, MRF is among the organization’s larger charitable funds.
“We are honored to welcome the Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts under the umbrella of The Dayton Foundation,” said Michael M. Parks, CFRE, president of The Dayton Foundation. “Miriam Rosenthal was a stellar volunteer, advocate and leader in the Greater Dayton community. For 60 years, MRF has perpetuated her legacy and played a vital role in supporting our region’s arts community. This partnership with The Dayton Foundation ensures its important work will continue and grow, supported by our shared commitment to enriching the cultural life of our region.”
“This partnership marks an important milestone in our history,” said Richard McCauley, chairman of the MRF Board of Trustees, who has served the foundation as a volunteer for nearly four decades. “By joining The Dayton Foundation, we are strengthening our ability to support Dayton’s local arts and culture while honoring Miriam Rosenthal’s extraordinary legacy. It positions us to grow our impact and ensure the arts continue to thrive in the Dayton Region for generations to come.”
MRF celebrates the life and contributions of Miriam Rosenthal, a pioneering civic leader who championed numerous charitable causes across Greater Dayton. Her fundraising efforts and advocacy benefited countless institutions and helped shape the region’s cultural and educational landscape long before her passing in 1965.
Rosenthal rose from humble beginnings as the daughter of Jewish immigrants to become one of Dayton’s most influential community figures. She built a distinguished career as a journalist, public relations professional and arts advocate, and served as the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s first manager, guiding its business affairs and public relations for more than 30 years. As a columnist for the Dayton Daily News and the The Journal Herald, her publisher, Governor James M. Cox, encouraged her to spearhead fundraising efforts for Good Samaritan Hospital – an effort that helped cement her legacy as a tireless community champion.
Her impact extended far beyond the arts. Rosenthal led or supported fundraising initiatives for the Dayton Memorial Hall, Sinclair Community College, the University of Dayton and Wright State University. She played a key role in efforts to secure the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and raised support for organizations, including the Beth Abraham Synagogue, Dayton Metro Library, YMCA of Greater Dayton and YWCA Dayton. A respected advisor to civic and political leaders, including Governor Cox and Dayton Mayor (and later Congressman) Edward Breen, she left an enduring imprint on institutions across the region. Today, her name and legacy are honored throughout Greater Dayton, from campus buildings to a memorial stone in the Wright-Dunbar neighborhood Walk of Fame.
“She left a significant void in the community when she passed away,” McCauley said. “Because of her impact – in the arts, education and so much more – local leaders established a trust fund to carry on her passion for the arts. Hundreds of individuals contributed to the fund, which was a remarkable testament to her legacy that continues decades later and will now be strengthened through our partnership with The Dayton Foundation.”
Since its inception, MRF has supported more than 100 projects that advance the region’s cultural life and expand access to arts programming for residents of all ages. For the foundation’s 60th year, grants in excess of $350,000 were committed to local arts organizations – more than in any other year.
Under the auspices of The Dayton Foundation, MRF will continue to operate with the same identity, leadership and grantmaking processes. The Dayton Foundation will provide administrative support, including accounting, auditing and fund management services, as well as access to legal and philanthropic expertise.
“We will continue to operate as before, but this partnership will allow us to focus on awarding grants and growing the foundation so we can carry on Miriam’s legacy and expand our region’s rich cultural arts scene,” McCauley said.
“Citizens of Dayton created this fund to honor Miriam and carry forward her mission to secure a lasting future for the community’s cultural life,” McCauley added. “They hoped that each new generation would build upon it, helping the arts thrive despite rising costs. To uphold that mission today, additional support is essential.”
To learn more about or contribute to the Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts, visit https://miriamrosenthalfoundation.org or contact Kate Spencer, donor services officer for The Dayton Foundation, at kspencer@daytonfoundation.org or (937) 225-9952.
About The Dayton Foundation
The Dayton Foundation has been the trusted charitable giving resource for thousands of individuals, families and organizations of all giving levels since 1921. Ranked among the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants since its founding, with current assets from all funds totaling $1.3 billion. For more information about how The Dayton Foundation can help you help others, visit daytonfoundation.org or follow the Foundation on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or Instagram.