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The Dayton Foundation

Annual Giving
$109.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

The Dayton Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $109 million (recent year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program - 2 weeks to 2 months
  • Grant Range: $500 - $75,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Dayton region (Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and Warren counties in Ohio)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/

Email: grantapplication@daytonfoundation.org

Phone: (937) 225-9966

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

Contact for Grant Questions: Tania Arseculeratne, (937) 225-9966

Overview

The Dayton Foundation, established in 1921, is the largest and oldest community foundation in the Greater Dayton region. With assets that have grown to $1.2 billion and managing over 4,100 charitable funds, the Foundation operates with a clear mission: "We help you help others℠ through philanthropy and community leadership." Since its founding, the Foundation and its fund holders have awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants to nonprofit organizations. In recent years, the Foundation granted nearly $109 million annually to charitable organizations locally and around the world. Under the leadership of President and CEO Michael M. Parks, CFRE, the Foundation has prioritized diversity and economic inclusion, education, strengthening neighborhoods and families, land conservation, and addressing chronic generational poverty. Parks emphasizes that "We have an unbelievably strong tradition of philanthropy in our community. I often say its baked in our DNA."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Discretionary Grants: $7,500 - $75,000
Awarded three times a year to tax-exempt organizations to help launch new projects or support special efforts of established nonprofits in the Greater Dayton region. Grant amounts must be no more than 25% of the overall project cost for projects below $300,000. Application deadlines are typically in January, June, and October. Applications submitted online through the Foundation's grant portal.

Greenlight Grants: $500 - $7,500
Small quick grants awarded quarterly for special projects, program expansions, capital improvements, or capacity building. Quarterly deadlines throughout the year (typically March, June, September, and December). Rolling applications through online portal.

Basic Human Needs Grants: Amount varies
Awarded quarterly to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations focusing on basic human needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and clothing, primarily in Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Preble, and Warren (north) counties. Applications accepted quarterly.

Priority Areas

The Dayton Foundation supports and promotes:

  • Arts and culture
  • Health
  • Education
  • Human services
  • Community-building endeavors
  • Capacity-building initiatives
  • Capital campaigns
  • Project and program support

The Foundation gives priority to projects that:

  • Provide for more efficient use of community resources
  • Promote coordination, cooperation, and sharing among organizations
  • Reduce duplication of services
  • Launch new projects not addressed by existing organizations
  • Support special efforts of already-established nonprofits

What They Don't Fund

The Dayton Foundation generally does not fund:

  • General organizational operations, ongoing programs, operational deficits, or reduced/lost funding
  • Matching grants (unless local dollars are needed to fulfill a condition for a state or federal grant)
  • Cultural arts productions (except funding costs associated with creating original works)
  • Computer hardware such as desktop computers or printers (for discretionary grants)
  • Multi-year or large-dollar requests (unless they are initiatives approved by the Foundation's Grants Committee or Governing Board)
  • Private, non-operating foundations
  • Political campaigns or lobbying purposes
  • Dinners, entertainment, golf tournaments, tickets to events, and other benefits of substantial value (for donor-advised funds)

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Michael M. Parks, CFRE
Parks has served as President and CEO since 2002, growing the Foundation from $214 million in assets to $1.2 billion and expanding from approximately 2,500 charitable funds to over 4,100. He received the 2020 Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Community & Justice of Greater Dayton for his leadership in addressing systemic racism and advancing Greater Dayton as a diverse and inclusive community. Parks notes: "Our mission is simple – to help people who want to help others in our community."

Governing Board Chair: Janice L. Culver, CPA
Retired chief fiduciary officer from KeyBank NA in Cleveland.

Vice Chair: Cassie B. Barlow
President of Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education and retired 88th Air Base Wing and Installation commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Additional Board Members: George E. Forest (retired Lieutenant Colonel, US Air Force, and director of logistics, Special Operations Forces Group), James M. Vaughn (vice president of Finance, Taylor Communications Inc.), L. Tony Ortiz, and Thomas J. Becker.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation has streamlined its application process with a new online grant portal. Organizations can apply electronically at https://daytonfoundation.my.site.com/GrantApplication/s/, where they can start and save applications, upload supporting documents, and track the progress of grant awards.

Important: The Foundation no longer requires a Letter of Intent as a prerequisite to applying for a discretionary grant.

Application Steps:

  1. Ensure organizational eligibility
  2. View the Discretionary Grants Orientation video (available on website)
  3. Review the Foundation's grant guidelines
  4. Submit application through online portal

Eligibility Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status
  • Established for at least two years with a track record of sustainability
  • Benefit citizens in the Greater Dayton region
  • Demonstrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational strategic plans or policies

Decision Timeline

Discretionary Grants: Applications reviewed three times annually with deadlines typically in January, June, and October. Decision timelines vary but generally take approximately 2 months from deadline to decision.

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

Basic Human Needs Grants: Reviewed and awarded quarterly.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rate percentages. However, recent data shows:

  • Spring 2025: $652,983 awarded in discretionary grants and $72,000 in Greenlight Grants
  • August 2025: 28 grants totaling $330,616 awarded
  • Over the past decade: More than $9.6 million awarded in discretionary and Greenlight Grants
  • Recent fiscal year: 633 awards totaling $23,955,008 (Foundation Depository)

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly specify a formal reapplication policy or waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. Given the multiple grant cycles throughout the year, organizations can apply in subsequent rounds. Contact grantapplication@daytonfoundation.org for specific guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Foundation Priorities: The Foundation explicitly prioritizes projects that promote coordination, cooperation, and sharing among organizations, reduce duplication of services, and provide for more efficient use of community resources. Successful applications demonstrate how the project launches a new initiative or supports a special effort rather than general operations.

Recent Funded Projects (Spring/Summer 2025):

  • Boys & Girls Club of Dayton ($75,000): Constructing a new, larger facility
  • The Foodbank, Inc. ($75,000): Constructing a new Community Centered Building
  • Advocates for Basic Legal Equality ($30,000): Helping local leaders address environmental issues
  • Bottom Line ($25,000): Making trauma-trained advisors available to Dayton Public Schools seniors applying for college
  • Downtown Dayton Partnership Corporation ($25,000): Supporting the Courthouse Square Transformation Project Plan
  • Dayton Theatre Guild ($10,000 Greenlight): Installing solar panels to reduce energy costs
  • Bach Society of Dayton ($5,150 Greenlight): Purchasing a harpsichord
  • Nurturing Community Cultivating Justice ($20,873): Sustaining the Dayton Dialogue on Race Relations

DEI Requirement: Organizations must demonstrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in their strategic plans or policies. This is a stated eligibility requirement for Foundation grants.

Focus on New Initiatives: The Foundation emphasizes supporting new projects or special efforts rather than ongoing operations. Clearly articulate what is new or special about your proposed project.

Grant Size Guidelines: For discretionary grants, requests must be more than $7,500 and up to $75,000, and should not exceed 25% of the overall project cost for projects below $300,000.

Application Preparation Tips:

  • Clearly describe project objectives
  • Explain who will do what, when, and how much it will cost
  • Ensure proposals are clear, concise, readable, and easily understood
  • Watch the orientation video and review all guidelines before applying
  • Multi-year or large-dollar requests are rarely considered unless approved by the Grants Committee or Governing Board

Required Reporting: Organizations that receive discretionary grants must submit a final report on how the grant was used.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on innovation and collaboration: The Foundation prioritizes new projects and initiatives that promote coordination among organizations and reduce service duplication rather than general operating support
  • Meet the DEI requirement: Ensure your organization has documented diversity, equity, and inclusion policies or strategic plans before applying
  • Choose the right grant program: Use Discretionary Grants ($7,500-$75,000) for larger new projects, and Greenlight Grants ($500-$7,500) for smaller quick-turnaround initiatives
  • Use the online portal: The streamlined application process no longer requires a Letter of Intent - you can apply directly through the online system
  • Demonstrate regional impact: All projects must benefit citizens in the Greater Dayton region, specifically Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and Warren counties
  • Align with Foundation priorities: The Foundation has emphasized diversity and economic inclusion, education, strengthening neighborhoods and families, and addressing chronic generational poverty under CEO Michael Parks' leadership
  • Be realistic about grant amounts: Requests should not exceed 25% of total project costs for projects under $300,000, and multi-year or very large requests are rarely approved

References

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