The Berry Family Foundation is a Dayton-focused funder that concentrates large, targeted gifts to local cultural institutions and area higher-education institutions, with additional support for community social services. Their giving emphasizes sustaining performing arts, museums, and local universities—including faith-affiliated colleges—suggesting a priority on civic life, cultural infrastructure, and education in the Dayton region.
A $210,000 grant to the University of Dayton anchors The Berry Family Foundation’s recent giving and points to a pattern of sizable support for Dayton institutions. The foundation’s grant list is dominated by local cultural organizations, colleges, and community-serving nonprofits, with repeated funding for Dayton-based arts and education groups. In recent years, Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Live, and Dayton Performing Arts Alliance have each received major support, while area colleges such as Cedarville University and the University of Notre Dame appear in the grant record as well. The foundation also funds community organizations that provide services tied to youth, health, and neighborhood support, including East End Community Services, Boys & Girls Club of Dayton, and Sicsa. Its giving reflects a strong Dayton orientation rather than a broad national footprint. The recent grants show a mix of one-time awards and repeated support to the same institutions over multiple years, especially in the arts and higher education. That combination suggests a funder that backs both civic infrastructure and recurring community needs in the Dayton region.
In arts and culture, the foundation has supported Dayton institutions with major grants, including $205,000 to Dayton Art Institute and $200,000 to Dayton Live in 2025. Dayton Performing Arts Alliance also appears more than once in the recent record, showing continued support for the city’s performance ecosystem. Education is another clear theme. The foundation gave $100,000 to Dayton Early College Academy in 2023 and $100,000 to Dayton Christian Schools in 2025, while higher-education grants also reach Cedarville University and the University of Dayton. Community and youth services also appear in the grant list. East End Community Services received $150,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2025, and Boys & Girls Club of Dayton received $102,500 in 2025. Health-related support includes Sicsa and United Rehabilitation Svcs.
Typical awards are modest to mid-sized relative to the foundation’s larger gifts: p25 is $1,000, median grant size is $5,000, and p75 is $15,000. The recent grant list, however, includes a smaller set of much larger commitments, often in the $50,000 to $210,000 range, indicating that the foundation makes both routine operating-style grants and concentrated larger awards. The record also shows repeat support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Dayton History at Carillon Historic, United Rehabilitation Svcs, East End Community Services, and University of Notre Dame. The foundation accepts unsolicited grant inquiries across its listed programs.
$1.6M
$22.4M
$3M
$2.1M
Most grants fall between $1K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Relatively concentrated giving: a small number of large grants to a handful of repeat, local institutions. Mix of multi-grant support (repeat funding) and one-off sizeable awards rather than many small grants; geographic focus is strongly local/Dayton-area.
Notable grantees: Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Live, University of Dayton, Cedarville University, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Ohio-centered: 75% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Ohio is also the top state by grant count. Dayton is the main recipient city, with repeated awards to organizations there, including Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Live, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Dayton History at Carillon Historic, and Boys & Girls Club of Dayton. Outside Dayton, the recent list includes Cedarville, Cincinnati, Hillsdale, Thomasville, and Grantees in the U.S. make up the full recipient-country distribution.
The foundation funds nonprofit organizations tied to education and youth, free enterprise and entrepreneurship, healthcare, and community strengthening. Recent grants also show strong support for arts and culture institutions, higher education, youth services, and neighborhood social services in the Dayton area.
Yes. Its active grant programs state that unsolicited grant inquiries are accepted, including for Education & Youth Grants, Free Enterprise / Entrepreneurship Grants, Healthcare & Health Systems Grants, and general/community grantmaking programs.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is p25 $1,000, median $5,000, and p75 $15,000. The recent grants list also shows several larger awards, including multiple grants at $100,000 or above.
Yes. Ohio accounts for 75% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, and Dayton is the most common recipient city in the recent grant record. The foundation’s geographic scope is regional.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once, including Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Dayton History at Carillon Historic, United Rehabilitation Svcs, East End Community Services, and University of Notre Dame. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off support only.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Berry Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must align with the foundation's healthcare priorities and meet published eligibility criteria; applicants should consult the foundation's eligibility page.
Who can apply: Organizations must align with the foundation's mission and core beliefs and meet the foundation's published eligibility criteria (see application URL).
Who can apply: Programs should support youth development and education consistent with the foundation's priorities; applicants should review the foundation's eligibility page prior to submitting a request.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAYTON ART INSTITUTE | DAYTON, OH | $205,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| DAYTON LIVE | DAYTON, OH | $200,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $102,500 | 2025 | YOUTH |
| SICSA | DAYTON, OH | $101,750 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME | DAYTON, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| DAYTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | DAYTON, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| EAST END COMMUNITY SERVICES | DAYTON, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| OMEGA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP | DAYTON, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| DAYTON PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE | DAYTON, OH | $80,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| DAYTON HISTORY AT CARILLON HISTORIC | DAYTON, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | DAYTON, OH | $37,800 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | DAYTON, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME | DAYTON, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | PATRIOTIC |
| AGAPE | DAYTON, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| GOODWILL EASTER SEALS | DAYTON, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $16,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ARTIS-NAPLES INC | NAPLES, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNITED REHABILITATION SVCS | DAYTON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL |
| FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION | MORAINE, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| CRAYONS TO CLASSROOMS | DAYTON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MIAMI VALLEY MEALS | DAYTON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | CULVER CITY, CA | $14,900 | 2025 | MEDICAL |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $12,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| YELLOW SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL | YELLOW SPRINGS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| USA SHOOTING | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | YOUTH |
| OH TASTE6888 KITCHEN INCUBATOR | DAYTON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WRIGHT WAY FOUNDATION INC | DAYTON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | YOUTH |
| MONTGOERY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ME | DAYTON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PATRIOTIC |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | DAYTON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS | DAYTON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | YOUTH |
| BRIDGE THE GAP COLLEGE | DAYTON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNITED WAY | DAYTON, OH | $9,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| DAYBREAK | DAYTON, OH | $8,500 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| MUSE MACHINE | DAYTON, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| LAW ENFORCEMENT FOUNDATION | DUBLIN, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY | DAYTON, OH | $6,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CAMPING & EDUCATION FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,500 | 2025 | YOUTH |
| THE NORTH CAROLINA COMUNITY FOUNDAT | RALEIGH, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE OHIO STATE UNIV FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - WESTERN NORTH | ASHEVILLE, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| OHIO TRI COUNTY FOOD ALLIANCE | SPRINGFIELD, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| GIGI'S ANIMAL SHELTER | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| K-12 GALLERY & TEJAS | DAYTON, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| AIR CAMP INC | DAYTON, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH |
| CALIFORNIA FILM INSTITUTE | DAYTON, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WE CARE ARTS | DAYTON, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CLINIC | NAPLES, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL |
| MIAMI VALLEY HOSPITAL FDN | DAYTON, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL |
| THE EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION NEIGH | KNOXVILLE, TN | $4,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES |
DAYTON ART INSTITUTE
$205,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
DAYTON LIVE
$200,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
SICSA
$101,750SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
$100,000EDUCATION
DAYTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$100,000EDUCATION
EAST END COMMUNITY SERVICES
$100,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
DAYTON HISTORY AT CARILLON HISTORIC
$50,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
THE SALVATION ARMY
$37,800SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$30,000EDUCATION
NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME
$25,000PATRIOTIC
AGAPE
$25,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON
$16,000EDUCATION
ARTIS-NAPLES INC
$15,000EDUCATION
UNITED REHABILITATION SVCS
$15,000MEDICAL
FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION
$15,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
MIAMI VALLEY MEALS
$15,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
YELLOW SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL
$10,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
USA SHOOTING
$10,000YOUTH
OH TASTE6888 KITCHEN INCUBATOR
$10,000EDUCATION
WRIGHT WAY FOUNDATION INC
$10,000YOUTH
MONTGOERY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ME
$10,000PATRIOTIC
BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS
$10,000YOUTH
BRIDGE THE GAP COLLEGE
$10,000EDUCATION
UNITED WAY
$9,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
LAW ENFORCEMENT FOUNDATION
$7,500SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
$6,000EDUCATION
THE NORTH CAROLINA COMUNITY FOUNDAT
$5,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
THE OHIO STATE UNIV FOUNDATION
$5,000EDUCATION
AMERICAN RED CROSS - WESTERN NORTH
$5,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
GIGI'S ANIMAL SHELTER
$5,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
K-12 GALLERY & TEJAS
$5,000EDUCATION
CALIFORNIA FILM INSTITUTE
$5,000EDUCATION
WE CARE ARTS
$5,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
THE EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION NEIGH
$4,000SOCIAL/HUMAN SERVICES
