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
Brigid's Path | Prenatal Program Expansion
$270,946 Project Budget | $20,000 Granted
Brigid’s Path is Ohio’s first and only newborn recovery center, specializing in the care of infants born exposed to addictive substances. The nonprofit organization also supports moms and families through prenatal programs, parenting education and family advocacy services. Funds will be used to hire a new family advocate and nurse educator. These roles will help enhance its outreach efforts and engagement with community partners to expand capacity and serve more prenatal moms.
Jill Kingston, Founder and President, (937) 350-1785
The Conscious Connect CDC | The Westwood Park Project
$400,000 Project Budget | $75,000 Granted
The Conscious Connect CDC seeks funding to transform four vacant lots in West Dayton into a vibrant, multigenerational green space. Funds will be used to implement critical park amenities, such as walking paths, shaded seating areas and activity spaces for individuals of all ages.
Moses Mbeseha, Co-Founder, (814) 384-9891
Miami Valley Public Media (WYSO) | Generator for New WYSO Headquarters
$2,700,000 Project Budget | $81,900 Granted
Miami Valley Public Media (WYSO) is a community-owned public radio station providing information and inspiration through news, music and storytelling. Funds will be used to purchase and install a generator at WYSO’s new headquarters, ensuring uninterrupted broadcasting of emergency alerts during power outages.
Luke Dennis, President, (937) 769-1379
Nurturing Community Cultivating Justice | Dayton Dialogue on Race Relations
$83,490 Project Budget | $20,873 Granted
Nurturing Community Cultivating Justice (NCCJ) seeks funding to help revitalize and sustain the Dayton Dialogue on Race Relations. Funds will be used to help update the curriculum, evaluate programs, train facilitators and offer sessions free of charge to community members.
Adriane Miller, Executive Director, (937) 500-5307
Greenlight GrantsSM
CityWide Neighborhood Development Corporation | Fairview Gardens Revitalization - Greenhouse Project
$10,000 Project Budget | $7,200 Granted
CityWide seeks funding to support the revitalization of Fairview Gardens, a vital community space in Northwest Dayton aimed at addressing food insecurity and the lack of safe, accessible green spaces. Funds will support the installation of a greenhouse, enabling year-round food production while enhancing educational opportunities and deepening community engagement. With this support, Fairview Gardens will become a sustainable hub for healthy food, hands-on learning and neighborhood pride.
Jasmine Young, Project Manager, (937) 853-2557
Dayton Children's Hospital | Community Food Pantry
$6,000 Project Budget | $5,000 Granted
Each month, Dayton Children’s Community Food Pantry provides approximately 90 families with essential items, such as produce, frozen meat, milk, eggs and more. The Pantry is open to the Dayton-area community, not just the families who come to Dayton Children’s for medical care. Funds will be used to purchase an additional freezer, increasing storage capacity for frozen protein and allowing the Pantry to serve more individuals and families.
Jeff Delahunt, Corporate Director of Support Services, (937) 641-3435
Dayton Equity Center | Pantry Capacity Building
$4,000 Project Budget | $1,000 Granted
The Dayton Equity Center is dedicated to fostering growth, creating opportunities for all and empowering individuals and communities by providing access to resources, education and support. To address the growing needs of local residents served by the Food Security Department, the Center’s pantry will move to a larger space. Funds will be used to purchase carts, tables and additional equipment to help volunteers serve multiple clients at once.
Ashton Dupler, Executive Director, (937) 716-1098
Dayton Fellowship Club Inc. | Upgrading for Impact
$7,500 Project Budget | $6,600 Granted
The Dayton Fellowship Club is a community-based, grassroots organization that provides educational, emotional, social and recreational support to individuals, families and communities that suffer the devastation of active addiction. Funds will support phased capital improvements and technology upgrades, including an upgraded electrical system, interior lighting, kitchen equipment and safety enhancements. This project directly supports individuals struggling with addiction, homelessness, reentry from incarceration and mental health challenges by providing a safe haven and consistent, compassionate care.
Danielle Gardner, President, (937) 559-9283
El Puente Educational Center, Inc. | GED Support
$10,000 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
El Puente Educational Center, Inc., aims to strengthen the Latino community by connecting individuals and families to resources and opportunities to help them thrive. Funds will be used for GED Support during after-hours sessions at the Dayton Metro Library so that students can receive tutoring and other services. Obtaining a GED will help the nonprofit organization increase its clients’ earning potential by helping them find more job opportunities, attend college or trade school, complete an apprenticeship, start a business or enlist in the military.
Virginia Rodriguez, Program Director, (937) 701-7383
Families of Addicts Foundation | Learning Processing Training
$10,143 Project Budget | $5,000 Granted
Families of Addicts Foundation (FOA) supports families and individuals struggling with addiction. Love Grandparents of Dayton, a program of the FOA that supports grandparents raising grandchildren due to substance use disorder or death, seeks funding to train staff to work with grandchildren who have not shown progress under traditional learning methods. Training will help staff identify the root causes of children’s challenges, such as issues with short-term memory, information assimilation, test taking, writing and reading, by using techniques from the Geiman Inventory method to address these challenges.
Anita Kitchen, Executive Director, (937) 823-0639
4 Paws for Ability | Training Center Accessibility
$10,000 Project Budget | $6,000 Granted
4 Paws for Ability is a nonprofit organization that breeds, raises, trains and places service dogs with children and veterans who have disabilities. Funds will be used to install an ADA-compliant automatic door opener with a push-button system for the facility’s front entrance, ensuring that all families can enter the building safely and independently.
Jennifer Lutes, Executive Director, (937) 974-7528
Gala of Hope Foundation | Capacity-Building Assessment
$9,000 Project Budget | $4,500 Granted
Gala of Hope Foundation supports cancer patients, cancer treatment and local cancer research in its drive to eradicate cancer in our region. Funds will be used to enlist the services of Plentiful Philanthropy, a strategic development and nonprofit consulting firm. This capacity-building initiative will assess the Foundation’s internal operations and help sustain and grow its mission during a critical period of planned leadership transition.
Morgan Ednie, Executive Director, (937) 203-8243
Girls on the Run Dayton | New Curriculum Materials
$28,140 Project Budget | $5,000 Granted
Girls on the Run Dayton helps girls recognize their potential and rise above limiting gender expectations. Funds will be used to purchase an updated curriculum that supports the celebration of differences between oneself and others. This investment will help ensure that the GOTR program continues to be reflective of all girls’ lived experiences, including youth across all identities and those from underserved communities.
Kayleigh Clark, Executive Director, (937) 902-9759
Hope Road Organization | Youth Arts and Nature Hub
$39,272 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
Hope Road Organization is committed to empowering youth in the Greenwich Village neighborhood through hands-on experiences in the arts and nature. Funds will be used to support the development of the Youth Arts and Nature Hub, a vibrant space anchored by a large community garden. Located in a designated food desert, the hub will provide access to fresh produce, wellness education and creative expression in a safe, nurturing environment for youth and their families to come together to grow, learn and build community.
Nicole Pritchett, Executive Director, (937) 838-6398
I Am Well Foundation | Wellness Beyond Barriers
$7,500 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
The I Am Well Foundation is working to transform America’s health and wellness by putting the power of wellness back into the hands of the people. The nonprofit organization is implementing Wellness Beyond Barriers, a program which will address disparities for youth who are at greater risk of homelessness and isolation and adults who often struggle to find safe, affirming spaces for healing and growth. Funds will be used to support the 12-month program, which will consist of monthly educational and interactive sessions focusing on whole-person wellness.
Michele Acker, Board President, (937) 670-4153
Joshua Recovery Ministries | Webster House Renovation
$3,285 Project Budget | $3,000 Granted
The Joshua Recovery Ministries’ mission is to set people free from drug and alcohol addiction. The Webster House, the nonprofit organization’s home for recovering addicts, is in need of repairs. Funds will support the home’s renovation, which will allow for current and future residents to live in safe conditions while continuing their recovery journeys.
Jessica Zwayer, Executive Director, (740) 497-3332
The Legal Kid Foundation | Student Ambassador Program
$38,000 Project Budget | $5,000 Granted
The Legal Kid Foundation’s mission is to empower youth by providing them with the knowledge, mentorship and leadership skills they need to transform their futures. Funds will be used to expand the Student Ambassador Program in order to serve 60 underserved students in Dayton, Ohio. The program will empower youth through mentoring and programs that focus on legal literacy and leadership development, with a goal of preparing them for academic and career success.
Dawn Bizzell, Co-Founder/Executive Director, (267) 625-3038
Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra | Youth Orchestra Instruments
$16,000 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
As a community-based, nonprofit organization, the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra brings together accomplished and dedicated musicians to provide high-quality performances that entertain, enrich and inspire the community, while advancing its knowledge and appreciation of music. Funds will be used to purchase stringed instruments for the Youth Education Program. These instruments will be loaned to performers in the advanced orchestra, helping to fill a need for students whose families do not have the financial means to acquire high-quality instruments.
John Root, CEO, (937) 367-4310
Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton | East End Unity Mosaics
$17,500 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
The Mosaic Institute is an arts organization that specializes in bringing people together. Funds will be used to unify the East End’s Twin Towers neighborhood by creating nine mosaics within the community. The Mosaic Institute will host neighborhood events for residents to join in the making of the mosaics to foster connection and empathy, address barriers that create division and inspire change.
Jessica McMillan, CEO, (937) 829-3106
Parkview United Methodist Church | AED Project
$2,500 Project Budget | $1,775 Granted
Parkview United Methodist Church in Miamisburg, Ohio, provides a welcoming environment where individuals and families can come together to worship, learn and grow in their faith. In addition to serving its congregation through services and events, the church also hosts groups such as Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout events and a program for adults with disabilities. It also regularly hosts blood drives, Lifeline group events and homeschooling groups. Funds will be used to purchase an AED unit to support the safety of community members and groups who use the facility.
Melora Newsome, Children's Director, (937) 416-7026
Preble County Art Association | New Stained-Glass Studio
$10,115 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
The Preble County Art Association is determined to fuel creativity in Preble County and the surrounding areas by fostering a community rich in arts and culture. Funds will be used to establish a fully equipped stained-glass studio, including essential supplies, equipment and setup. By offering structured classes and open studio hours, the PCAA will promote creativity, mental wellness and skill development for participants of all levels. This new studio primarily will serve an underserved rural community that has limited access to unique creative opportunities.
Michelle S. Buckley, Executive Director, (937) 456-3999
Rachel & Friends | Kitchen Equipment for Meal Preparation
$6,550 Project Budget | $3,700 Granted
Rachel & Friends strives to build a community for individuals with developmental challenges and their families, with a primary focus of enriching their lives through choice, engagement and accomplishment. Funds will be used to purchase kitchen equipment to prepare meals in collaboration with the South Dayton Emergency Response Team, an organization that provides emergency services to individuals in South Dayton. Meals will be distributed to families who are homeless due to fire or loss of housing. The meal preparation helps the nonprofit organization’s clients learn life skills and help those in need.
John Gloris, CEO, (937) 204-3450
Victory Project | Hallway Expansion
$7,500 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
Victory Project is an afterschool mentoring program for disengaged young men, grades 8 through 12, in Dayton. Funds will be used to expand the organization’s middle school campus building’s front entrance hallway, which is narrow and difficult to pass through without bumping into others.
Monnie Bush, Founder & CEO, (937) 224-0880
Warren County Arts Council (ArtScape) | Glass Program Expansion
$7,500 Project Budget | $7,500 Granted
ArtScape provides an environment where teachers, board members and volunteers feel valued and respected. Funds will be used to expand the nonprofit organization’s glass class offerings to include children by supporting the costs of materials and equipment for a glass camp and classes. Currently ArtScape uses borrowed and loaned equipment. By purchasing its own equipment, the organization will help sustain the program and save money.
Amanda Arias, Board of Director/President, (513) 409-4228
Wildflower Child & Family Center | Nature Playscape Project
$11,477 Project Budget | $5,938 Granted
Wildflower Child & Family Center, a nature-based preschool at Carriage Hill MetroPark, is a high-quality, nature-based childcare center for three- and four-year-old children using a child-led, process-based and multi-generational approach. Funds will be used to develop an outdoor classroom that fosters children's growth through hands-on discovery and play. This adaptable, multi-purpose space will support various types of movement, exploration and learning for children, families, teachers and the broader community.
Meredith L. Florkey, Executive Director, (937) 903-1766
Women Walking West | Everyday English Program
$10,000 Project Budget | $4,000 Granted
Women Walking West strives to help women lead a successful and productive life. Funds will be used for the creation and pilot implementation of a 24-unit ESL curriculum tailored for women who are pursuing college degrees at higher educational institutions such as Sinclair Community College, Wright State University and the University of Dayton. This curriculum will serve as a critical tool to help participants gain the language skills needed to succeed in higher education and employment.
Fatemeh Hajihosseini, Chief of Operations and Development, (844) 500-9378
The Woodland Arboretum | QR Technology
$6,000 Project Budget | $6,000 Granted
The Woodland Arboretum Foundation was established in 1841 for the purpose of commemorating the dead with care and dignity. Funds will be used to purchase QR code signs for landmarks and a points-of-interest map. The signs will replace brochure bins that hold printed information pertaining to individuals and families buried in the cemetery, as these bins often are left empty and damaged by the weather.
Misti Spillman, Manager of Preservation, (937) 228-3221
World House Choir, Inc. | Choral Risers
$5,530 Project Budget | $3,130 Granted
World House Choir is a diverse, multi-cultural, mixed-voice choir of 80 to 90 active citizen singers. Funds will help WHC purchase two additional choral risers to accommodate the increased choir membership. The risers will allow WHC to continue in its mission of providing uplifting music that inspires the community in Greene County and the surrounding areas.
Catherine Roma, Artistic Director, (513) 560-9082