The Dayton Foundation

09/01/2026

“…support matters more than ever. Educational institutions at every level are facing growing challenges. Costs continue to rise, budgets are stretched and public funding often struggles to keep pace with increasing needs. As institutions contend with rising operating costs, changing workforce demands and uncertainty around government funding, philanthropy is becoming an increasingly important funding source.” – Marianne Requarth, director of development, The Dayton Foundation

Read the Foundation’s recent Dayton Daily News Ideas & Voices column, “Students, Institutions Need Support Now More Than Ever,” by Marianne Requarth, director of development.

When people think about philanthropy and education, they often picture major gifts to colleges and universities. Those investments certainly matter, but philanthropy’s impact reaches much further. Every day, donors are helping students pursue their educational and career goals through scholarships...

08/31/2026

September is full of opportunities to connect, learn and support meaningful causes throughout our community.

September’s Calendar of Events highlights dates associated with Dayton Foundation funds, a grant application deadline and more.

Take a look at what's coming up and find an opportunity to get involved:
https://www.daytonfoundation.org/Calendar.

08/27/2026

The Dayton Foundation has awarded three organizations Awards for Excellence in Community Leadership!

🟠 Brad Bucher Elk Pride Never Dies Memorial Fund
🔵 Community Foundation of Miami Township
🟢 The Oakwood Schools Foundation

Head over to our website to learn how their work has effected change in our community through fundraising, collaboration and strategic planning: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/2026-Awards-for-Excellence-in-Community-Leadership.

08/26/2026

“If someone has never experienced the wonder of meeting an animal or spending time in a peaceful natural setting, it's difficult to ask them to care about protecting wildlife thousands of miles away.

Our farm was created to help bridge that gap.” - Amanda Badger, founder and director of Wild Hearts African Farm

Wild Hearts African Farm & Petting Zoo, just up the road in Lewisburg, Ohio, is the first Humane Certified Zoo in Ohio and is working to close the gap between people and wildlife through education and experiences.

Learn more about the farm and its efforts to bring zebras and an immersive capybara habitat encounter to its wildlife experience in this month’s Nonprofit Spotlight.

A Q&A with Amanda Badger, Founder and Director of Wild Hearts African Farm What is the mission of Wild Hearts Africa…

08/12/2026

More than $430K in Foundation discretionary and Greenlight Grants has been awarded to 28 Dayton-area charities. Learn about the projects and how they are investing in our community.

(August 6, 2026) Twenty-eight discretionary and Greenlight GrantsSM totaling $430,599 were awarded by The Dayton Foundat…

08/11/2026

In 1944, the Navy commissioned its first 13 Black officers, who became known as the Golden Thirteen because of the gold shoulder bars on their uniforms. While they endured many challenges, including having some enlisted personnel refuse to salute them, they persevered and opened new doors for future generations.

Today, the legacy of these honorable men lives on through The Golden Thirteen Scholarship Fund established through AACF Dayton of The Dayton Foundation. Scholarships are awarded annually on a rotating basis to students enrolled in Naval R.O.T.C. units at one of the six traditionally Black colleges that operate them. To date, more than $14,000 has been awarded.

Learn more about The Golden Thirteen: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/Golden-Thirteen-Naval-Scholarship-Fund.

Try to imagine Navy enlisted personnel refusing to salute a Navy officer. Yet, in 1944, a few white enlisted Navy person…

08/10/2026

Our fund holders are making a difference throughout the community. Learn about upcoming events and important dates associated with Dayton Foundation funds, along with grant opportunities and application deadlines, on our Calendar of Events.

If you're looking to stay informed or support a local cause, the calendar is a great place to start!

Take a look at what’s coming up: https://www.daytonfoundation.org/Calendar.

08/07/2026

The Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative is seeking older adults (age 55+) to apply for four new fellowship opportunities to work on social-change projects with:
- Bike Miami Valley,
- Dayton Dream Center,
- House of Bread or
- We Care Arts.

Visit our website to learn more about each position ⬇️.

https://www.daytonfoundation.org/employment

07/16/2026

The Giving USA report has been released. America (WE) donated a record breaking $617.20 billion to charities in 2025!

Where did these charitable dollars go?

✝️ $151.58 billion to religion
🤝 $99.50 billion to human services
📚 $92.01 billion to education

Get the full breakdown. ⬇️