Grants in Action recognizes the results of notable grant awards, whether large or small, and the significant impact they have on strengthening Greater Dayton and beyond.
Grant Helps “Lift” Families Through Challenging Times
Impact Garage
Among the many hurdles low-income families face is access to reliable transportation. For those who own vehicles, a mechanical failure can mean missing appointments, school or work – potentially creating a chain of events such as falling behind on rent, utilities and other essential expenses if they cannot afford costly repairs.
To help relieve this financial burden, Impact Garage provides low-cost car repairs and free pre-purchase inspections for local families in need. Since it opened in 2023, Impact Garage has invested over 2,100 labor hours repairing 445 vehicles, saving clients more than $350,000 in repair costs.
The Dayton Foundation recently awarded the nonprofit organization a Greenlight GrantSM to purchase and install a new vehicle lift.
“We are deeply grateful for the $7,500 grant from The Dayton Foundation,” said Terri Fleck, founder and president of Impact Garage. “With the additional lift in our shop, we hired another full-time technician, enabling us to increase the number of vehicles we repair each week and reduce wait times for working individuals who depend on reliable transportation.”
Impact Garage was inspired by Terri’s family garage, where she grew up spending countless evenings and weekends holding a flashlight or handing her dad tools as he repaired vehicles. As an adult, she found out that he wasn’t doing it for financial gain but rather to help people in need.
“Impact Garage is not just about fixing cars; it’s about restoring dignity, independence and hope,” Terri said. “Support like this can help prevent job losses, protect household income and keep families on solid footing during challenging times.”
“I can't thank the staff at Impact Garage enough for fixing my car!” said one client. “They got my car in their shop and fixed it within 72 hours, all in the same week of starting my new job. My car is now running smoothly, and the entire process, from application to repair, was smoother than I expected it to be. Thank you, Impact Garage!”
Grant Assists Pet Owners Experiencing Hardships
SICSA
SICSA’s mission is to promote the welfare and adoption of companion animals and nurture loving, lifelong relationships between animals and people. In 2025, when the nonprofit organization saw a 10 percent rise in the number of families served through its Pet Food Assistance Program, staff realized that the demand for its pet food was quickly outpacing available resources.
“The Basic Human Needs Grant successfully expanded our ability to support clients, ensuring their pets didn’t go hungry.”
– Jessie Sullivan, director of Shelter Operations for SICSA
“The Basic Human Needs Grant successfully expanded our ability to support clients, ensuring their pets didn’t go hungry,” said Jessie Sullivan, director of Shelter Operations for SICSA. “We consistently hear how much families appreciate having support for their four-legged family members, especially when budgets are tight.”
The grant also made it possible for SICSA to host its first-ever, drive-through pet food pantry events at its Washington Township location. After a successful mini event in September, SICSA hosted a second drive-through distribution in December, with more than 7,700 pounds of pet food distributed to nearly 100 families in just two hours.
“Thanks to The Dayton Foundation’s support, we were able to show up for families in a meaningful and practical way. Grants like these are more than just a monetary contribution – they represent a shared commitment to serving others and advancing our mission,” Jessie said. “Most of all, providing access to pet food helps relieve stress and ensures pets can stay safely at home with the people who love them.”