The Dayton Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $24.9 million (FY 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2 weeks for Greenlight Grants; varies for Discretionary Grants
• Grant Range: $500 - $75,000 (discretionary grants $7,500-$75,000)
• Geographic Focus: Greater Dayton region (Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and Warren counties), Ohio
• Total Assets: Over $1.3 billion

Contact Details

Address: 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio 45409

Phone: (937) 225-9977

Website: www.daytonfoundation.org

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

Grant Application Portal: https://daytonfoundation.my.site.com/GrantApplication/s/

Key Contact for Grants:

• Tania Arseculeratne, Senior Community Engagement Officer
• Phone: (937) 225-9966
• Email: tarseculeratne@daytonfoundation.org

Basic Human Needs Grants Contact:

• Karen Gruenberg, Community Engagement Programme Officer
• Phone: (937) 225-9928

Overview

The Dayton Foundation, established in 1921, is the region's oldest and largest community foundation, with over $1.3 billion in assets under management and more than 4,400 funds. The Foundation and its fund holders distribute grants and scholarships to charitable organisations locally and around the world. Since its founding, more than $1.5 billion has been awarded to charitable organisations. The Foundation serves as a trusted partner for individuals, families, companies, and organisations to fulfil their charitable goals while addressing critical community needs in the Greater Dayton region. Under the leadership of President Michael M. Parks, CFRE (since 2002), the Foundation has grown from $214 million in assets to become one of the top 4% of more than 800 community foundations nationwide. The Foundation operates under the tagline "We Help You Help Others" and manages over 3,700 separate funds, including discretionary grants, component funds, and donor-advised funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Discretionary Grants: $7,500 - $75,000

• Awarded three times a year to 501(c)(3) organisations
• Cannot exceed 25% of overall project costs under $300,000
• Focus on launching new projects or supporting special efforts of established nonprofits
• Application deadlines typically fall in early January, late June, and early October
• Applications submitted through online portal

Greenlight Grants: $500 - $7,500

• Quick, small grants for special projects, programme expansions, capital improvements, or capacity building
• Awarded quarterly
• Decision notifications within two weeks of deadline
• Application deadlines typically fall in early March, early June, early September, and early December

Basic Human Needs Grants: Up to $7,500

• Awarded quarterly to organisations focusing on food, shelter, healthcare, clothing, and other basic physiological needs
• Must benefit citizens who are homeless, poor, or hungry in the Dayton Region
• Requires demonstrated systemic collaboration with other human needs service providers
• Application deadlines typically fall in early February, early May, mid-August, and mid-November

Component Funds with Separate Grant Programmes:

• African-American Community Fund (AACF): Over $10 million in assets, supporting education, social services, arts, health, and wellness
• Centerville-Washington Foundation: Benefits residents of Centerville and Washington Township
• Charles D. Berry Foundation: Supports performing and visual arts, community enrichment, education access, underserved populations, and health outcomes
• Community Foundation for Kettering: Benefits residents of Greater Kettering area
• Various other component funds with specific focus areas and separate application processes

Priority Areas

Discretionary Grants Support:

• Social service organisations
• Arts and culture initiatives
• Health programmes
• Environmental projects
• Capacity building for nonprofits
• Capital improvements
• New projects addressing unmet community needs
• Innovation and special efforts

Specific Focus Areas Across All Funds:

• Education and literacy
• Basic human needs (food, shelter, clothing, healthcare)
• Youth development and mentoring
• Health and wellness
• Arts and cultural programming
• Animal welfare
• Community development and housing
• Nonprofit organisational strengthening

What They Don't Fund

Discretionary Grants Exclusions:

• General organisational operations, ongoing programmes, or operational deficits
• Reduced or lost funding (replacement funding)
• Matching grants (unless local dollars are needed to fulfil a state or federal grant condition)
• Cultural arts productions (except costs for creating original works)
• Computer hardware (desktop computers, printers)
• Multi-year or large-dollar requests (unless approved by Grants Committee or Governing Board)

Donor-Advised Fund Restrictions:

• Private, non-operating foundations
• Political campaigns or lobbying purposes
• Dinners, entertainment, golf tournaments, event tickets, or other benefits of substantial value

Grant Amount Restrictions:

• Discretionary grants must be more than $7,500
• Cannot exceed 25% of overall project costs for projects under $300,000

Governance and Leadership

President: Michael M. Parks, CFRE

• In position since 2002
• Under his leadership, the Foundation has grown from $214 million to over $1.3 billion in assets
• Frequent national speaker and writer on nonprofit and philanthropy issues
• Featured on PBS's The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

Senior Leadership Team:

• Barbra Stonerock, Vice President, Community Engagement
• Michelle L. Lovely, CFRE, Senior Vice President, Development and Donor Services
• Nakia Lipscomb, Senior Director of Development (joined with nearly three decades of banking, finance, and wealth management experience)
• Marianne Requarth, Director of Development

Governing Board Chair: Janice L. Culver, CPA

• Retired Chief Fiduciary Officer, KeyBank NA
• Serving a two-year term as chair
• Governing Board member since 2017

Board Member: Alonzo Patterson (recently appointed to five-year term)

The Foundation's leadership emphasises being "here to help you help others, whether that be creating a lasting charitable legacy, pursuing funding for a special effort, applying for a scholarship or more."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Discretionary Grants:

1. Ensure your organisation meets eligibility requirements (501(c)(3) status, minimum two years established, track record of sustainability)
2. Watch the Discretionary Grants Orientation video (recommended but not required)
3. Review Foundation guidelines for discretionary grants
4. Download the courtesy worksheet to collect answers before entering them online
5. Submit application through the electronic grant application portal at https://daytonfoundation.my.site.com/GrantApplication/s/
6. Upload supporting documents through the portal
7. Track application progress online

Note: A Letter of Intent is no longer required to apply for discretionary grants (eliminated as of recent portal updates).

Before Applying: Contact Tania Arseculeratne at (937) 225-9966 to discuss your project.

Greenlight Grants:

• Apply quarterly through the same online portal
• Application process designed to be quick and streamlined

Basic Human Needs Grants:

• Apply quarterly through the online portal
• Contact Karen Gruenberg at (937) 225-9928 for more information

Previous Grant Recipients: Organisations that have received previous Foundation grants must submit a final report on grant usage before applying for new funding.

Decision Timeline

Greenlight Grants: All applicants notified within two weeks of the deadline

Discretionary Grants: Timeline varies by cycle; the Foundation publishes grant awards in spring, summer, and fall cycles

Basic Human Needs Grants: Decisions announced quarterly following application deadlines

Example Timeline from Component Fund: The Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (component fund) has a two-month application period (mid-September to first Friday in November) with grant decisions made in January, representing approximately 2-3 months review period

Success Rates

The Dayton Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rates or approval statistics for its grant programmes. The size and number of grants awarded varies for each grant cycle, directly related to the amount of money available and the restrictions donors place upon certain funds.

Recent Grant Activity:

• Spring 2024: $438,991 awarded in discretionary grants to 9 organisations
• Spring 2024: $57,984 awarded in Greenlight Grants to 15 organisations
• December 2024: $120,650 awarded in Basic Human Needs Grants to 23 organisations
• During fiscal year, the Foundation facilitated 12,699 grants to 3,551 different organisations from 1,283 funds

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publish specific reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants. With three annual cycles for discretionary grants and quarterly cycles for Greenlight and Basic Human Needs grants, multiple opportunities exist throughout the year. For specific guidance on reapplication, contact Tania Arseculeratne at (937) 225-9966.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment: The Foundation prioritises projects serving Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and Warren (north) counties. Ensure your project clearly benefits residents in these specific counties.

Innovation Over Operations: The Foundation explicitly focuses on "new projects not addressed by existing organisations" and "special efforts of established nonprofits" rather than ongoing operations. Applications should emphasise innovation, new initiatives, or special one-time projects.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Organisations must demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in strategic plans, policies, or other documents such as an equity statement. This is not optional—it's a stated eligibility requirement.

Right-Sizing Grant Requests:

• Discretionary grants cannot exceed 25% of overall project costs for projects under $300,000
• Consider whether Greenlight Grants ($500-$7,500) might be more appropriate for smaller needs
• The Foundation awards grants at various levels—recent discretionary grants ranged from $24,991 to $75,000

Collaboration and Sustainability: For Basic Human Needs Grants, organisations must demonstrate systemic collaboration with other human needs service providers and have a track record of sustainability (minimum two years established).

Recent Funding Patterns Show Strong Support For:

• Arts organisations addressing post-pandemic recovery (Dayton Contemporary Dance Company: $64,000)
• Facility improvements and capital needs (Dayton Live: $75,000; Dayton Metro Library Bookmobile: $75,000)
• Community infrastructure (North Star Community Association park renovation: $50,000)
• Matching funds for federal grants (Culture Works: $50,000 for NEA match)
• Equipment upgrades that reduce long-term costs (Human Race Theatre Company: $50,000)
• Basic human needs infrastructure (Good Shepherd Ministries kitchen appliances: $7,500)

Complete Previous Grant Obligations: Organisations with outstanding final reports from previous Foundation grants will not be considered for new funding until those reports are submitted.

Use the Portal Effectively: The Foundation invested in a new electronic portal to make the process "quicker and easier." Applications can be started, saved, and completed over time, with document uploads and progress tracking available.

Consider Component Funds: With over 20 component funds under the African-American Community Fund alone, and multiple geographic-specific funds (Kettering, Centerville-Washington), research whether a specialised fund better aligns with your project than general discretionary grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• New application cycle changes create more opportunities: The Foundation recently added a third discretionary grant cycle annually and eliminated the Letter of Intent requirement, making the process more accessible.

• Focus on innovation, not operations: The Foundation is explicit about funding new projects and special efforts rather than general operating costs or ongoing programmes. Frame applications around what's new, innovative, or special about your request.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion is non-negotiable: This isn't a nice-to-have; it's a stated eligibility requirement. Have concrete documentation ready.

• Geographic specificity matters: Clearly demonstrate how your project benefits residents in the six primary counties (Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and Warren).

• The Foundation is highly responsive: With assets over $1.3 billion and significant grantmaking activity, this is an active, engaged funder distributing substantial resources annually.

• Multiple pathways exist: Don't overlook Greenlight Grants for smaller needs, Basic Human Needs Grants for fundamental service provision, or the 20+ component funds that may align with your specific mission or community.

• Contact programme officers before applying: The Foundation encourages applicants to discuss projects with staff before submission—take advantage of this guidance from Tania Arseculeratne or other programme officers.

References

1. The Dayton Foundation official website: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 4, 2026)
2. The Dayton Foundation Discretionary Grants page: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/discretionary-grants (Accessed January 4, 2026)
3. The Dayton Foundation Grant Opportunities: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/grant-opportunities (Accessed January 4, 2026)
4. The Dayton Foundation Our People & Leadership: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/our-people-and-leadership (Accessed January 4, 2026)
5. The Dayton Foundation Annual Report 2023: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/annual-report-2023 (Accessed January 4, 2026)
6. "The Dayton Foundation Announces New, Quicker Grantmaking Portal and Updates to Discretionary Grants Process": https://www.daytonfoundation.org/The-Dayton-Foundation-Announces-New-Quicker-Grantmaking-Portal-and-Updates-to-Discretionary-Grants-Process (Accessed January 4, 2026)
7. Recent Discretionary Grants - Spring 2024: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/Recent-Discretionary-Grants-Spring-2024 (Accessed January 4, 2026)
8. Greenlight Grants information: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/Greenlight-Grants (Accessed January 4, 2026)
9. Basic Human Needs Grants: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/basic-human-needs-grants (Accessed January 4, 2026)
10. African American Community Funds: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/african-american-community-funds (Accessed January 4, 2026)
11. Charity Navigator Profile for Dayton Foundation Depository (EIN 31-1044298): https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/311044298 (Accessed January 4, 2026)
12. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Dayton Foundation (EIN 31-6027287): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/316027287 (Accessed January 4, 2026)
13. WYSO News: "Dayton Foundation reaches record level of giving" (March 25, 2024): https://www.wyso.org/news/2024-03-25/dayton-foundation-reaches-record-level-of-giving (Accessed January 4, 2026)
14. Inside Philanthropy - Dayton Foundation profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/ohio-grants/dayton-foundation (Accessed January 4, 2026)