(February 17, 2026) The Dayton Foundation announced today that newly released research projects a statewide transfer of $1.7 trillion in wealth from the Silent and Baby Boomer generations to younger generations over the next 25 years. The study, which was commissioned by Philanthropy Ohio with support from its philanthropic partners, including The Dayton Foundation, also estimates that $618.4 million will transfer within the next decade.
In the Foundation’s six-county primary service area – Montgomery, Darke, Greene, Miami, Preble and Warren – $215.4 billion is projected to change hands by 2050. After just 10 years, an estimated $75.6 billion is expected to have transferred from one generation to the next in these counties alone.
“As wealth is passed on, families have the opportunity to shape their legacies and share their values, with charities turning those stories into lasting impact,” said Michael Parks, CFRE, president of The Dayton Foundation. “Consider what could be achieved if people across Greater Dayton dedicated just 5% of their estates, retirement accounts or life insurance policies to the causes they care about. By 2035, that commitment could generate more than $3.7 billion in new charitable resources across our region. If invested as endowments, those gifts could produce more than $189.2 million in new charitable dollars every year within a decade – support that would continue to grow and benefit the community indefinitely. By 2050, this opportunity could translate into as much as $538 million for charity annually.”
Individuals and families can support the causes they care about in many ways, whether by giving directly to their favorite nonprofit organizations or by partnering with their community foundation.
“The Dayton Foundation provides flexible options for giving,” said Michelle Lovely, CFRE, senior vice president of Development and Donor Services, “from establishing a family‑named endowed fund to benefit your chosen charities or causes to contributing to the Foundation’s Emerging Community Needs Fund, which helps address Greater Dayton’s evolving needs and opportunities. Whatever path you choose, we can help you keep charitable resources flowing into our community, strengthening it for generations to come.”
When considering planned giving, retirement assets such as an IRA or 401(k), along with life insurance policies, are excellent options, Lovely added, because they allow tax-free distributions to charity. These assets can be designated to a fund through The Dayton Foundation without revising an existing estate plan. For individuals who wish to begin funding their legacy during their lifetime and are age 70 ½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from their IRA is an excellent option as it can be used to establish a fund that provides scholarships for students or supports a specific charity or an area of interest, such as children, animals or the arts.
“By naming the Foundation or another charity as the beneficiary of these assets and leaving other resources to your heirs, you often can provide more to both your family and the causes you care about,” Lovely said.
“Billions of new charitable dollars could transform our community,” Parks said. “Within a decade, that level of investment could support health and human services, improve educational opportunities, strengthen arts and cultural vitality, and launch new efforts to address future community needs – ultimately creating a stronger community and a better quality of life for all our neighbors.”
For more information, visit daytonfoundation.org or call (937) 222-0410 to speak with a member of The Dayton Foundation’s Development and Donor Services department.
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, X, LinkedIn or YouTube.