The Disability Foundation’s Non-Profit Grants

The Disability Foundation, a supporting organization of The Dayton Foundation, administers an annual grant cycle designed to support nonprofit organizations serving individuals with disabilities in specific Ohio counties. With a mission focused on direct community impact, The Disability Foundation uses investment income from retained donor-advised funds to provide targeted financial support to eligible service providers. Their 2026 grant cycle emphasizes equity in opportunity, encouraging applications from organizations that have never applied before, while noting that past recipients should not expect to receive funding in consecutive years. The grant opportunity focuses on organizations operating in the counties of Clark, Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Hamilton, Butler, Preble, and Warren. These counties form the primary geographic scope of eligible projects, although applicants must demonstrate a tangible connection to the populations they serve. Organizations must have at least two years of operational history as a nonprofit and a track record of financial and programmatic sustainability. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, academic institutions, and government nonprofit agencies. Applicants are restricted to submitting only one application per 12-month period, and the maximum grant amount per request is $10,000. The grant funds are intended for specific project-based work or equipment acquisition that directly improves the quality of life for individuals living with disabilities. The Foundation supports a range of priority focus areas, including the expansion of services, purchase of accessibility-enhancing equipment, housing initiatives, and remodeling projects aimed at improving accessibility. Durable or lasting equipment and other disability-related needs are also considered appropriate uses of funding. Applications focused on capacity-building must provide specific outcome metrics to demonstrate projected growth and impact. Certain restrictions apply: The Foundation typically does not fund general operating expenses or capital projects. Proposals must be submitted using the official application format, which must not be altered in terms of layout or font size. Submissions must be emailed as Word documents, with all accompanying materials—such as IRS documentation, financials, and board lists—submitted in PDF format. Applications must include an electronic signature on the terms and conditions page and meet the deadline of 5:00 p.m. on February 20, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by April 30, 2026. If awarded, grantees are required to submit a final report by January 31, 2027, or upon project completion, whichever comes first. The report must include a summary of the project’s purpose, goals achieved, challenges encountered, number of individuals served, outcomes and measurements, and a reconciliation of the actual versus projected budget. For assistance with the proposal process or eligibility inquiries, applicants may contact Greg Darling via email or phone. His availability spans regular business hours, Monday through Friday. This annual grantmaking process reflects The Disability Foundation’s commitment to fostering accessibility, equity, and meaningful community-based solutions for individuals with disabilities in Southwest Ohio.