Allegro Grant for Nonprofit Organizations

The Allegro Fund was established in 1987 in memory of Hermene Louise Schwarz, a pioneering figure in performing arts education in Dayton, Ohio. Administered by The Dayton Foundation, the Allegro Fund supports nonprofit performing arts organizations that enhance the artistic and cultural experience of the Greater Dayton community through dance, theater, and music. The fund honors Schwarz’s commitment to arts education by fostering artistic growth, community engagement, and access to performing arts. The Allegro grant program aligns with The Dayton Foundation’s broader mission of promoting community vitality through philanthropy, having distributed more than $1.4 billion in grants since its founding in 1921. The grant is intended to support performing arts organizations with project costs associated with performances, guest artist or teacher residencies, and related educational components. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate collaboration with other arts groups, utilize residencies or guest artists, or present performances that engage the broader community. The funding may be used for artist fees, production costs, and residency-related expenses; however, it may not be used to reduce staff salaries or increase responsibilities due to the presence of a resident artist. No additional fees may be charged to students engaged in such residencies, though admission may be charged to the general public. To be eligible for this opportunity, an applicant must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt performing arts organization with at least two years of established nonprofit status and a demonstrated record of sustainability. Eligible organizations must primarily benefit residents of Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and northern Warren counties in Ohio. Applicants must also exhibit systemic collaboration and a commitment to creating inclusive opportunities within organizational practices. Only one application per organization is accepted per cycle. Organizations previously funded by the Allegro Fund must have submitted and received approval for a final report before becoming eligible for future applications. If no extension request has been made for an overdue report, the organization is barred from applying for two years after the report is submitted. The application opens on August 25, 2025, and closes on September 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM. All applications must be submitted through the online portal; emailed submissions are not accepted. A courtesy worksheet is provided to assist applicants with preparing their responses. Required documents include the organization’s most recent audit or a stated exemption reason, a balance sheet and income statement for the most recent fiscal year, and an itemized project budget outlining revenue sources and expenses. The grant decision will be announced on November 6, 2025. Applications may involve collaboration with other individuals, who can be invited via the portal to contribute or sign the application. Final reports are due within 30 days after project completion. These reports should include a narrative description of the project’s impact, success stories or quotes, and a detailed financial accounting comparing actual expenditures to the original budget. Reports are submitted through the same grants portal. Promotional use of the grant must acknowledge the Allegro Fund of The Dayton Foundation, and organizations are encouraged to submit media, photos, and stories for public sharing. For questions, applicants can contact Karen Gruenberg, Community Engagement Program Officer, at (937) 225-9928 or kgruenberg@daytonfoundation.org.

Submit all required documents in the portal. Do not email. Collaboration is encouraged. Use the courtesy worksheet to prepare responses offline.