The African-American Community Fund

The African-American Community Fund (AACF) is a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, designed to support the charitable efforts of nonprofit organizations serving the Dayton and Greater Miami Valley area. Established to strengthen the African-American community through targeted philanthropic initiatives, AACF pools resources for investment growth and sustainable grantmaking. Its focus is to benefit a diverse range of public charitable purposes, offering support to organizations that address social services, mentoring and education, health and wellness, arts, and other community needs. The AACF awards grants exclusively to organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits under the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible applicants must also operate in the Dayton/Greater Miami Valley region, maintain a diversity and inclusion policy, and address needs not fully met by existing community resources. Projects supported by AACF are those that provide for more efficient use of community resources, encourage coordination and cooperation among organizations, promote volunteerism and civic engagement, or expand existing initiatives. The scope of funding includes a variety of purposes such as purchasing hard goods like equipment, clothing, and school supplies; supporting youth programming and educational initiatives; marketing new services and programs; hosting cultural events and diversity projects; and engaging in outreach and support for the homeless. In general, AACF does not provide funding for general organizational operations, individuals, annual fundraising drives, scholarships, travel grants, or endowment funds. Typical award amounts range between $500 and $1,000, though the final size and number of awards depend on the available funds in a given year. There are no matching requirements. Funding decisions are made based on the merit of the proposals and alignment with AACF’s mission and priorities. The program does not operate on a rolling basis, and there is a single application process, as the previous Letter of Intent (LOI) stage has been eliminated. For the 2025 grant cycle, the application period is currently open, and all proposals must be submitted by September 30 at 5:00 p.m. There is no pre-application deadline, and all materials must be complete and submitted by the closing date to be considered. Applicants can access the official application form through AACF’s online portal. The fund provides a “How to Apply” video to guide organizations through the process. Questions regarding the grantmaking process may be directed to Kate Spencer at 937-225-9952 or via email at aacf@daytonfoundation.org. General inquiries can also be addressed to the African-American Community Fund at 937-222-0410 or through the same email contact. This streamlined process and clearly defined focus areas make the AACF an accessible funding opportunity for small and mid-sized nonprofits working to create meaningful change in the Dayton and Greater Miami Valley region.