Charles D. Berry Foundation Grant Program

The Charles D. Berry Foundation is a private philanthropic organization committed to advancing the well-being of communities in the Greater Dayton Region of Ohio. With a mission rooted in legacy and impact, the foundation channels its resources into four key focus areas that align with its community-centric vision: Arts, Community Enrichment, Education, and Health & Human Services. Each area encompasses a broad range of initiatives that reflect the foundation’s commitment to enhancing public life and fostering equitable development. The foundation partners with local organizations that demonstrate a meaningful and measurable impact on the people and communities they serve. Applicants may submit proposals for programs or projects, operating support, or capital campaigns. Multi-year grants are considered only for capital requests. Importantly, each organization is limited to one grant application per 12-month period, and any current grantees must submit a final report within four weeks of project or program completion before applying again. The foundation prioritizes funding in the Greater Dayton Region, ensuring that the grants deliver localized impact. It is important to note that the foundation requires all applications to be submitted through its online grant portal, which mandates account creation prior to submission. The Charles D. Berry Foundation outlines strict eligibility requirements. Only organizations with valid 501(c)(3) public charity status from the IRS are eligible to apply. Ineligible entities include individuals, private foundations, school district projects, religious organizations, political campaigns or causes, and organizations based outside of the United States. Furthermore, organizations that discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, or veteran status are not considered. The foundation does not fund sports organizations, mass appeals, or sponsorships, and does not offer grants or loans to individuals. The application process begins with a review of the foundation’s focus areas and accepted request types. Eligible applicants must use the grant portal to submit their proposals. While the foundation does not provide specific application questions in the public-facing materials, it emphasizes the importance of aligning with one or more of its core funding areas. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation if they are uncertain whether their initiative aligns with these focus areas. The grantmaking process includes internal evaluation and post-award reporting to ensure accountability and effectiveness. The foundation sets two submission deadlines per year. For the 2025 cycle, grant applications must be submitted by either March 13, 2025, or August 19, 2025. While the foundation does not list a specific grant contact person, general inquiries can be directed to the foundation via email at info@cdberryfoundation.org. Their office is located at 3055 Kettering Boulevard, Suite 416, Dayton, OH 45439. No information was provided regarding the size of awards, total program funding, or the number of grants distributed annually. Similarly, the documentation does not include application time estimates or expert tips. However, the clarity of the foundation's eligibility criteria, geographic priorities, and submission protocols offers applicants a straightforward path for engagement. The opportunity is not rolling, but the presence of recurring annual deadlines indicates that the grant opportunity is offered on a recurring basis.