The Dayton Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on Greater Dayton institutions, privileging general operating support for local education, health & human services, and cultural organizations. Its largest gifts go to place-based anchors (e.g., Ronald McDonald House, Oakwood City Schools, University of Dayton), while a steady stream of grants supports K–12 and faith-based schools, arts organizations, and community service providers. The foundation favors sustaining core nonprofits that serve Dayton-area residents across education, health, arts, and social services.
The Dayton Foundation’s largest recent gift was $15.1 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton for general support and various projects, a signal that the foundation backs major place-based institutions with substantial, flexible funding. Across its recent grants, the foundation repeatedly supports Dayton-area schools, health and human services providers, and cultural organizations, with grants appearing in both seven-figure and mid-six-figure ranges. University and school recipients such as Oakwood City School District and the University of Dayton sit alongside community anchors like Dayton History and the YMCA of Greater Dayton. The foundation’s pattern is strongest around Dayton institutions that serve residents across education, health, arts, and social services. It also shows continuity: some recipients appear in multiple years, including Dayton Early College Academy, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Friends of Aullwood Inc, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton Foundation, and United Way of the Greater Dayton Area. In addition to broad operating support, some awards are tied to specific projects or needs, such as deficit coverage and scholarships. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on sustaining established local nonprofits rather than one-off issue campaigns.
In education, The Dayton Foundation backs K–12 and postsecondary pathways with large grants to school and workforce organizations. It gave $7.2 million to Oakwood City School District for various projects and $3.8 million to Learn to Earn Dayton for general support and various projects, showing support for both public education and college-and-career readiness. Health and human services are another clear priority. The foundation awarded $573,948 to YMCA of Greater Dayton for general support and various projects, while Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton Foundation received $537,601 for general support and various projects in 2023. The arts and heritage appear as well. Dayton Performing Arts Alliance received $1,132,878 in 2024 and $862,849 in 2023, and Dayton History received $2,591,511 in 2024 for general support and various projects.
Typical grants cluster in the mid five-figure range, with p25 at $8,500, a median of $15,424, and p75 at $40,000. The recent-grants list also includes much larger awards, indicating a layered approach that combines routine support with major institutional gifts. Some organizations appear in multiple years, including Learn to Earn Dayton, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Friends of Aullwood Inc, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton Foundation, Oakwood City School District, United Way of the Greater Dayton Area, and others. The foundation is not an individual-giving funder, and it does not make program-related investments. Several active programs, including Greenlight Grants and Scholarship Opportunities, accept unsolicited requests, while other programs such as Discretionary Grants and Nonprofit Capacity-Building Partnership are not open to unsolicited applications.
$32.6M
$771.2M
$131.2M
$51.5M
Most grants fall between $9K and $40K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$40K
STEPHEN D DARNELL
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Dayton Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 2,009 | $145.4M | 100.0% |
| 2 | Israel | 1 |
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 FreeRegístrate gratis para ver qué tan bien se adapta tu organización sin fines de lucro a este financiador, obtener un pitch generado por IA y descubrir fundaciones similares.
Concentrated, place-based giving with repeated multi-year or multi-grant support to core local institutions; funding is predominantly unrestricted/general support and skewed toward a handful of large flagship recipients alongside numerous mid-size grants to community nonprofits.
Notable grantees: Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton, Oakwood City School District, University of Dayton, Dayton History, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance
Grantmaking is regional, and most awards land in Ohio: 75% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Dayton is the dominant recipient city, with additional Ohio recipients including Kettering, Cincinnati, and Wright-Patterson AFB. Among named non-Dayton locations in the recent grants list, Kettering appears with Archbishop Alter High School, Cincinnati with St Xavier High School, and Wright-Patterson AFB with Fisher Nightingale Houses Inc.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on Dayton-area schools, health and human services providers, and cultural institutions. Examples include Oakwood City School District, Learn to Earn Dayton, Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton, Dayton History, and Dayton Performing Arts Alliance.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered in the mid five figures: p25 is $8,500, median grant size is $15,424, and p75 is $40,000. At the same time, the recent-grants list includes larger institutional awards in the hundreds of thousands and millions.
Yes. It administers scholarship programs such as ScholarshipCONNECT and Scholarship Opportunities, and those programs serve Greater Dayton-area students. The active program descriptions say the scholarship offerings cover tuition, fees, and books through multiple scholarship funds.
Yes. Active programs listed as accepting unsolicited requests include Learn to Earn Dayton, Greenlight Grants, and Scholarship Opportunities. Other programs, including Discretionary Grants and the Nonprofit Capacity-Building Partnership, are listed as not accepting unsolicited requests.
It is overwhelmingly local. The grant geography is regional, 75% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, and the recipient-country distribution is 100% U.S. The recent-grants list centers on Dayton, with additional Ohio recipients in Kettering, Cincinnati, and Wright-Patterson AFB.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| $25K |
0.1% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Financiamiento actual y próximo de Dayton Foundation al que tu organización sin fines de lucro podría postularse.
¿Quién puede postularse? Organizations focused on addressing the needs of older adults in Greater Dayton. Organizations considered for support are located primarily in Montgomery, Miami, Greene, and Preble counties.
Fecha límite: Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026.
¿Quién puede postularse? 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations focused on basic human needs and located primarily in the listed counties.
Fecha límite: February 12, May 14, August 13, and November 12, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.
¿Quién puede postularse? Teachers or staff members in the Vandalia-Butler City School system may submit requests for projects benefiting students.
Fecha límite: Application period runs annually from August 26 to December 6; committee reviews requests in September, January, and April.
¿Quién puede postularse? Organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), be nondiscriminatory, benefit the Vandalia-Butler community, and address needs not fully met by existing resources.
Fecha límite: Rolling application deadline
¿Quién puede postularse? Nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies serving Greater Dayton citizens through legal or justice-related programs.
Fecha límite: Rolling; now accepting applications
¿Quién puede postularse? Performing arts organizations; priority is given to collaborations, residencies or guest artists, and community-engaging performances.
Fecha límite: April 1, 2027
Haz seguimiento de estas fechas límite, recibe recordatorios y descubre qué tan bien encaja tu organización — gratis con una cuenta de Kindora.
Crea una cuenta gratisLas fechas límite y los requisitos de elegibilidad son un resumen de fuentes públicas y pueden cambiar — confirma siempre los detalles en la página oficial de solicitud del financiador antes de postularte.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AREA AGENCY ON AGING PSA 2 | DAYTON, OH | $2,035,560 | 2026 | COMCARE CENSUS DEFICIT, CAREDIRECTOR LICENSES & DEVELOPMENT, AND ADDNAIDE SOFTWARE APPLICATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $1,098,984 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| DAYTON PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE | DAYTON, OH | $1,041,899 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| DAYTON HISTORY | DAYTON, OH | $958,774 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| COUNTY CORP | DAYTON, OH | $875,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST 5 HOMES |
| OAKWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | DAYTON, OH | $742,186 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| DAYTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | DAYTON, OH | $739,704 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| LEARN TO EARN DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $584,052 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| MONTGOMERY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION | DAYTON, OH | $570,000 | 2026 | MEMORIAL PROJECT |
| FRIENDS OF AULLWOOD INC | DAYTON, OH | $551,343 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED , EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MARQUETTE, MI | $500,000 | 2026 | BERRY CHAIR BUSINESS SCHOOL |
| OHIO'S HOSPICE OF DAYTON FOUNDATION | DAYTON, OH | $462,277 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| DAYTON EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY | DAYTON, OH | $437,681 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| THE MIAMI VALLEY SCHOOL | DAYTON, OH | $434,267 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| DAYBREAK | DAYTON, OH | $418,363 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| DAYTON LIVE | DAYTON, OH | $412,543 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY | DAYTON, OH | $410,750 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| DAYTON CRAYONS TO CLASSROOMS | DAYTON, OH | $402,480 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER DAYTON AREA | DAYTON, OH | $385,634 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $343,571 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MIAMI UNIVERSITY | OXFORD, OH | $338,843 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SICSA | WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OH | $312,707 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $304,242 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| THE MUSE MACHINE | DAYTON, OH | $296,451 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| THE FOODBANK | DAYTON, OH | $292,666 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE MIAMI VALLEY | DAYTON, OH | $269,633 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| OHIO GOVERNORS IMAGINATION LIBRARY | DAYTON, OH | $253,847 | 2026 | MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMAGINATION LIBRARY, DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF PREBLE COUNTY |
| DAYTON METRO LIBRARY FOUNDATION | DAYTON, OH | $247,643 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| YWCA OF DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $245,105 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD SOUTHWEST OHIO REGION | DAYTON, OH | $240,942 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL FOUNDATION | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $238,785 | 2026 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $223,196 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| OMEGA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | DAYTON, OH | $218,500 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| GOODWILL EASTER SEALS MIAMI VALLEY | DAYTON, OH | $217,844 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| FISHER NIGHTINGALE HOUSES INC | WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB, OH | $207,150 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| MIAMI VALLEY PUBLIC MEDIA INC (WYSO) | YELLOW SPRINGS, OH | $197,083 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| THE DAYTON ART INSTITUTE | DAYTON, OH | $191,921 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| KETTERING SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH | KETTERING, OH | $186,700 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $168,700 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS | DAYTON, OH | $166,179 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY INC | DAYTON, OH | $163,200 | 2026 | EDUCATION ADVOCACY PROJECT FOR LOW-INC. DAYTON CHILDREN, UNRESTRICTED |
| NEW LIFE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE | MT VERNON, OH | $160,000 | 2026 | BUILDING |
| SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN | TAMPA, FL | $151,455 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| EAST END COMMUNITY SERVICES CORPORATION | DAYTON, OH | $150,000 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| DAYTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY | DAYTON, OH | $147,211 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| YMCA OF GREATER DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $145,988 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| CULTURE WORKS | DAYTON, OH | $145,511 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF DAYTON | DAYTON, OH | $142,947 | 2026 | VARIOUS PROJECTS |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIAL SERVICES | DAYTON, OH | $141,831 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM (THE IMAGINATION STATION) |
| OHIO UNIVERSITY | ATHENS, OH | $139,906 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
AREA AGENCY ON AGING PSA 2
$2,035,560COMCARE CENSUS DEFICIT, CAREDIRECTOR LICENSES & DEVELOPMENT, AND ADDNAIDE SOFTWARE APPLICATION
OAKWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$742,186VARIOUS PROJECTS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
$570,000MEMORIAL PROJECT
THE MIAMI VALLEY SCHOOL
$434,267VARIOUS PROJECTS
DAYTON LIVE
$412,543VARIOUS PROJECTS
WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
$410,750SCHOLARSHIPS
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
$343,571SCHOLARSHIPS
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
$338,843SCHOLARSHIPS
SICSA
$312,707VARIOUS PROJECTS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMAGINATION LIBRARY, DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF PREBLE COUNTY
DAYTON METRO LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$247,643VARIOUS PROJECTS
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
$223,196SCHOLARSHIPS
FISHER NIGHTINGALE HOUSES INC
$207,150VARIOUS PROJECTS
THE DAYTON ART INSTITUTE
$191,921VARIOUS PROJECTS
KETTERING SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
$186,700VARIOUS PROJECTS
FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
$166,179VARIOUS PROJECTS
EDUCATION ADVOCACY PROJECT FOR LOW-INC. DAYTON CHILDREN, UNRESTRICTED
NEW LIFE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
$160,000BUILDING
DAYTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY
$147,211VARIOUS PROJECTS
CULTURE WORKS
$145,511VARIOUS PROJECTS
UNRESTRICTED, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM (THE IMAGINATION STATION)
