Greenlight Grants

The Dayton Foundation's Greenlight Grants program offers a recurring quarterly funding opportunity for small, rapid-response grants intended to support nonprofits serving the Greater Dayton region. The Foundation, established in 1921, has a long history of supporting charitable causes across sectors such as education, arts and culture, housing, health, and more, primarily through donor-advised funds. However, the Greenlight Grants program is one of its competitive grantmaking initiatives, using donor contributions with minimal restrictions to address urgent and emerging community needs. Greenlight Grants provide funding from $500 to $7,500 for short-term or one-time initiatives, with emphasis on special projects, capital improvements, capacity building, or program expansions. Importantly, these grants are not intended to support ongoing operational costs. Applications are reviewed quarterly, and applicants are notified within two weeks of the deadline regarding the status of their request. The grant aims to provide fast, accessible support to organizations that are addressing unmet community needs or exploring innovative projects that require a modest but impactful investment. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits that have been established for at least two years, demonstrate financial sustainability, and serve Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, or Warren (north) counties in Ohio. Organizations must show a commitment to inclusion and equity, engage in systemic collaboration with other entities, and ensure their proposal is not duplicative of services already available. Additionally, organizations must submit final reports for previous Greenlight Grants before applying for new funding. The application process is fully online, hosted on The Dayton Foundation’s new grants application portal. To facilitate preparation, a courtesy worksheet is available for download. Required documentation includes the most recent audit or exemption explanation, a balance sheet, an income statement from the most recently completed fiscal year, and a detailed project budget showing secured, pending, and potential revenues, along with expenses. Applicants can also invite collaborators through the portal interface to support in completing the application or securing necessary signatures. There are four deadlines each year: March 2, June 1, September 1, and December 1, each due by 4:00 p.m. ET. This recurring schedule allows nonprofits to plan proposals throughout the year. While the grant does not require a cost share or matching funds, organizations must clearly indicate how awarded funds will be used and provide a realistic implementation timeline as part of their application narrative. The rapid turnaround—decisions are communicated within two weeks—makes this grant particularly suited for timely or short-term projects. Questions regarding the grant process or eligibility criteria should be directed to Tania Arseculeratne, Senior Community Engagement Officer at The Dayton Foundation. She can be reached at (937) 225-9966. The Foundation emphasizes accessibility, equity, and responsiveness throughout its grant programs, aiming to uplift nonprofit organizations working at the grassroots level to improve community wellbeing across the Greater Dayton area.

Submit final reports before applying again; proposals must not duplicate services; focus on capacity or special project needs.