Connections provides information about Foundation initiatives and new programs and continuing needs of local charities.

Listed within this issue are those organizations that received a discretionary grant during the last discretionary grant cycle. All of these organizations have been researched by our Grants Department, and a summary of their grant proposals is included. As you may see, for many of these requests, we were able to fund only to a certain level. The organizations may still have needs associated with their specified programs.

If you would like additional information about these programs, please feel free to contact the charities directly.

Dayton Crayons to Classrooms - Teacher Resource Center Expansion
$64,780 Total Project Budget
$10,000 Granted

Dayton Crayons to Classrooms (DC2C) collects and distributes school supplies at no cost to teachers of students in need in Greater Dayton. By providing teachers with basic school supplies that are essential to academic success, they can enhance the students’ readiness to learn. DC2C will use funds to add four new schools to the service roster thereby increasing the number of teachers served to 1,435 and students who benefit from the supplies to 23,700.

FilmDayton - Bring Films to Dayton: L.A. Liaison Program
$40,000 Total Project Budget
$10,000 Granted

FilmDayton works to develop the local film community by bringing together filmmakers, production companies and enthusiasts to promote and support opportunities for filmmaking in the Dayton Region. Funds will help FilmDayton attract film and television production companies to the area by supporting four strategic goals: a greater participation in trade shows, conferences and film festivals; a revamped website to create a hub for partners to find local work and collaborations, as well as show outside productions why they should film in Dayton; an online locations database that shows filmmakers and production companies where to find filming locations in Greater Dayton; and the hiring of a liaison in Los Angeles to set meetings, offer incentives and encourage movie production in the region.

Good Neighbor House - Capital Campaign
$1.9 million Total Project Budget
$25,000 Granted

Good Neighbor House (GNH) provides vital services to underserved individuals and families in Greater Dayton. Funds will help GNH expand its dental and nutrition services for clients by assisting with renovation costs of a new facility. Dental Clinic renovations include expanding from two to four dental suites and adding state-of-the-art dental equipment. The Nutrition Services expansion will add a pantry to offer healthy and fresh foods to individuals and families, as well as create a Special Dietary Needs Program that will provide special food and dietary services to individuals who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness. GNH anticipates serving an additional 7,000 to 10,000 individuals in need each year through its expanded services.

Hospice of Dayton Foundation - Refresh and Enhancement Project
$137,664 Total Project Budget
$10,000 Granted

For more than 30 years, Hospice of Dayton has strived to provide the best in end-of-life care and support for individuals and families in the community. To help enhance the patient and family experience, Hospice of Dayton is rejuvenating and restoring the gardens, ponds and walkways on its 14-acre campus. The master plan for the grounds, which includes 23 new gardens and memorial and gathering spaces, will be built in stages. Funds will be used to help pay for the installation of one garden project that will feature landscape and hardscape design of a garden and pond, including two alcove patios, walkways and seating areas to allow for privacy and accessibility.

House of Bread - Expansion of Kitchen Space
$20,000 Total Project Budget
$15,000 Granted

House of Bread provides hot, nutritious lunches seven days a week to individuals in need. Funds will be used to help House of Bread expand their kitchen, creating more work and preparation space for volunteers. A cafeteria-style opening in the wall from the dining room also will be constructed to create space for guests to return their dishes. By moving the area where dishes are returned, more space will be available to accommodate larger round tables for families to sit and enjoy meals together.

Human Race Theatre Company - New Marketing Strategies
$75,649 Total Project Budget
$30,000 Granted

Human Race Theatre Company has been bringing live theatrical performances to the Dayton Region and Southwestern Ohio for 26 seasons. Funds will help the organization focus on new marketing strategies, including enhancing Human Race’s Internet presence to attract and engage new patrons, particularly those under age 40. Funds also will be used to increase Human Race’s marketing professional to full-time status, as well as to hire a local production company to create videos that will build new audiences and keep patrons engaged online.

Kettering Parks Foundation - Kettering Veterans and Innovators Campaign
$900,000 Total Project Budget
$10,000 Granted

Funds will help with the construction of the Charles Kettering History Walk, an accessible walkway in Delco Park designed to educate visitors about Charles Kettering and the important role he played in the growth of Dayton and the nation. Five history stations about Mr. Kettering will be positioned along the path with universally-designed pods that will provide fun, factual information about his inventions, his companies and the role they played during war times. The Kettering Parks Foundation will work with local schools to make the History Walk a field trip destination and will offer a website that features downloadable lesson plans, games and additional information about the displays.

YMCA of Greater Dayton - Soccer for Success Program
$465,000 Total Project Budget
$25,000 Granted

In an effort to improve the fitness levels, nutrition habits and heart health of 1,000 underserved children, YMCA of Greater Dayton will offer a free, after-school childhood obesity prevention program through the Soccer for Success program. The program will be available in Montgomery and Greene counties for youth ages 5 to 14. The YMCA received a $310,000 subgrant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation through the Federal Social Innovation Fund. The Dayton Foundation grant and other funds will help the organization reach the 50 percent match requirement. Additionally, the YMCA will share project outcome data with partners and funders to help create a better understanding of childhood obesity.