The Dayton Foundation

For individuals who would like to support those in need, our website lists reputable charities assisting with relief efforts throughout the community and the world. ? Visit the Lend a Helping Hand page to learn how: https://lnkd.in/gAB2T8zE.

On Thursday, November 7, more than 60 professional advisors and fundraisers attended the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Greater Dayton’s recent seminar with Eddie Thompson, owner and CEO of Thompson and Associates based in Nashville, TN. The presentation focused on charitable tax laws and strategies that are applicable to estate gifts, including how gifts of major assets are key to greater fundraising success. Want information on the next PPP meeting? Visit: https://pppgd.org/.?

Meet David Weeks, a military veteran and tireless advocate for the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #9 of Dayton. Thanks to a connection from our Governing Board vice chair, Cassie Barlow, we had the honor to meet David and learn more about his extraordinary efforts to help our region’s veterans and their families. Last week, thanks to David and Fifth Third Bank, 12 veterans living at the Dayton VA Community Living Center?(nursing home) and four caregivers from the Dayton VA were able to attend the University of Dayton men’s basketball season opener. It was their first group outing since COVID. The 12 veterans watched the game from a private suite, were served dinner and received a free UD baseball cap. Even UD’s mascot, Rudy Flyer, stopped in to say hello during halftime. According to the Dayton VA Medical Center, the veterans said they “had a ball.” Thank you, David, for being the change for veterans in this area. ?

Have you ever had the chance to escort a veteran on an Honor Flight? One of our staff members recently experienced this honor by escorting her father, a Vietnam War veteran, to Washington D.C., from the Dayton, Ohio, Honor Flight hub. Watch her video from the Welcome Home Celebration. Here are a few fun facts about this national nonprofit with Ohio roots, in honor of Veterans Day. § Honor Flight began in Springfield, Ohio, and is now a national organization that has 128 active hubs in 45 states. Ones of those hubs is right here in Dayton. § To date, Honor Flight has transported over 295,000 veterans to Washington, D.C., to see its national monuments. § Dayton Foundation fund holders have granted more than $64,000 to Honor Flight Dayton since 2013 to ensure more veterans have this experience. § With a mission to simply show gratitude for our nation’s veterans, their service, sacrifice and selflessness, Honor Flight makes it possible for veterans to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials at no cost. The trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity for veterans, who might not have ever had a chance to see the memorials that were built in honor of their service. It’s also a chance for them to heal, honor old friends and share their stories. #VeteransDay

Congratulations to the University of Dayton Davis Center for Portfolio Management on marking 25 years of helping students gain real world experience advising and managing financial assets! This student-managed investment portfolio is the largest of its kind in the nation with over $83 million in assets, $4.4 million of which are through The Dayton Foundation. For the past five years, this partnership has given students hands-on experience managing donor assets and enabled them to donate their investment fees to local charities of their choosing. The most recent round of grants, totaling $15,000, were awarded to the following organizations to help fulfil their missions. American Lung Association Breast Wishes Foundation Family Abuse Shelter of Miami County Religious of Mary Immaculate For more information on the Davis Center’s 25th anniversary: https://lnkd.in/gM8tyZKC.

Nonprofits! We’re currently accepting applications for our next Greenlight Grants cycle [Deadline: December 2]. This grant is awarded quarterly for: ??special projects; ??program expansions; ??capital improvements; or ??capacity building. ? Visit the link to find out if your organization is eligible and apply: https://lnkd.in/g2REPjwp.

Another local equity champion recently was honored for his life’s work that has changed the Dayton Region for the better.? On Thursday, October 24, Brother Raymond L. Fitz, S.M., was honored with the 2024 John E. Moore, Sr., Lifetime Achievement Award for Racial Equity at the Dayton Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Awards. Bro. Ray has lived a life of servant leadership and championing social justice by raising awareness, driving action and affecting positive change in the Dayton Region. After stepping down as the University of Dayton’s longest-serving president, he moved into a 17-year role as the Father William J. Ferree Professor of Social Justice in the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, a center that UD named in his honor. Bro. Ray has dedicated his life to educating young people and addressing critical social justice issues, work that began in his early career. Before his presidency, he spent a decade in a variety of UD positions, ranging from a faculty member in the School of Engineering to executive director of the Center for Christian Renewal. As an engineer, he applied mathematical and computer modeling to address neighborhood segregation in Dayton, world hunger and rural development projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Congratulations, Bro. Ray. We are beyond grateful for your leadership and example. ? Watch Bro. Ray’s DBJ acceptance speech below.

On Tuesday, October 22, the Brain Health Collective provided support and awareness for traumatic brain injury survivors and their caregivers, thanks in part to its sponsors and the 19 organizations who participated that day. ? During the event, 70-plus attendees, including physical therapy graduate students from the University of Dayton and medical students from Wright State University, gathered to learn more about the health services available within our community and establish connections with each other. ? Learn more about this initiative here: https://lnkd.in/gR5AcshC.

“I watched my mother and sister and how their love for their dogs increased their quality of life, particularly through hard times. The bond they shared was unparalleled. It wasn’t until I adopted Mi’Che 16 years ago that I finally understood how strong their connection was. This inspired me to help others feel the same.” ? For Gina Austin-Lewis, PHD, FACHE, everything she does revolves around serving others any way she can. In 2018, she established The Mi’Che Movement, a Donor-Advised Fund through The Dayton Foundation that supports organizations in bringing together abandoned, abused or neglected dogs with women to enhance the quality of life for both. ? Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gC_TWQ6j.

Submitting meetings, activities, presentations and more to be featured on the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) Equity Events Calendar? The calendar is a tool for the public to find a listing of community events centered on equity-related topics. Visit the link for guidelines and to submit: https://bit.ly/3L7dmpF. _________ Thank you to the Equity Calendar partners. ?MVRPC ?ADAMHS Board for Montgomery County ?Sinclair College ?NCCJ of Greater Dayton ?Learn to Earn Dayton ?Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce ?Mathile Family Foundation ?United Way of the Greater Dayton Area ?Dayton Human Relations Council ?WYSO Public Radio ?The Foodbank, Inc. Judge Walter Rice