During the second half of 2007, The Dayton Foundation awarded $22.7 million in grants to charitable organizations in the Greater Dayton Region and beyond. This is an increase of 6 percent over the same period last year. Most of these grants come from donor funds that are restricted by the donors for their charitable purposes.

Some donors, however, have provided unrestricted funds to the Foundation, from which the Foundation makes discretionary grants. Recently The Dayton Foundation awarded $102,500 in discretionary grants, which are approved by the Foundation’s Governing Board to promote efforts in the areas of arts and culture, health, education, human services, philanthropy and other community-building endeavors in Greater Dayton. The recent discretionary grants awards include the following.

Access Center for Independent Living ($12,500): To help provide gently used medical equipment to individuals with disabilities.

Aviation Heritage Foundation ($7,500): To aid in developing marketing materials that the foundation will distribute at the Farnborough International Air Show in England.

Aviation Trail, Inc. ($10,000): To help complete the Parachute Museum’s final phase of construction, including the addition of interactive exhibits and videos.

Dayton Public Radio ($10,000): To assist in expanding public radio service in the region by building a new broadcast studio for use by WDPR 88.1 FM, WMUB 88.5 FM and WYSO 91.3 FM.

Dayton Urban League ($7,500): To help transport homeless individuals participating in the LifeReady Transitional Jobs Program to employment opportunities.

Diabetes Association of the Dayton Area ($7,500): To provide diabetic testing supplies to underinsured or uninsured diabetes patients.

Miami Valley Literacy Council ($10,000): To help purchase educational materials for the Council’s adult literacy programs.

Preble County Youth Foundation ($25,000): To help expand the Preble County YMCA’s facility and programs.

Toward Independence ($12,500): To develop new services that enhance the lives of individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.