The African-American Community Fund

The African-American Community Fund is a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, a community foundation that pools charitable resources to support local initiatives and strengthen communities. Through this structure, the fund leverages collective investment growth and local leadership to direct funding toward projects that benefit African-American communities and the broader Dayton and Greater Miami Valley region. The fund’s grantmaking is rooted in advancing public charitable purposes and addressing unmet community needs through targeted, small-scale funding awards. The primary purpose of this grant opportunity is to support nonprofit organizations that deliver impactful programs across a range of sectors, including social services, mentoring, education, health and wellness, and the arts. The fund emphasizes initiatives that improve quality of life, promote inclusion, and address gaps where existing services or resources are insufficient. Projects that enhance community coordination, increase efficiency in resource use, and encourage volunteerism or civic engagement are especially aligned with the fund’s priorities. Funding amounts are typically modest, ranging between 500 and 1000 dollars per award. The total number and size of grants distributed each cycle depend on the amount of funding available within the fund for that year. Supported expenses may include tangible goods such as equipment, clothing, or school supplies, as well as programmatic costs like youth programming, educational initiatives, cultural events, marketing of new services, and outreach efforts for underserved populations. However, the fund explicitly excludes support for general operating expenses, individual applicants, fundraising campaigns, scholarships, travel grants, and endowment building. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to organizations that are recognized as tax-exempt under section 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants must serve residents within the Dayton or Greater Miami Valley region and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion through established policies. Additionally, proposed projects must address needs that are not already fully met by existing community or organizational resources, reinforcing the fund’s focus on filling service gaps and promoting innovation. The application process has been streamlined in recent cycles. Previously, applicants were required to submit a Letter of Intent, but this step has been eliminated. Organizations now submit a single full application as the only required step. The current grant cycle for 2026 is open, and applicants are directed to access and complete the application through the fund’s designated portal. Supporting materials may include project descriptions, organizational information, and documentation demonstrating eligibility and alignment with funding priorities. While specific evaluation criteria are not formally detailed, the fund’s guidance indicates that proposals are assessed based on their potential to improve community outcomes, foster collaboration among organizations, and engage volunteers or community members. Projects that expand existing successful initiatives or introduce new services addressing unmet needs are likely to be viewed favorably. Applicants are encouraged to clearly demonstrate the impact and efficiency of their proposed work. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the fund directly via email or phone. The fund provides general guidance and resources, including instructional materials such as application walkthrough videos. The grant cycle is recurring annually, with funding availability and timelines determined each year. Award decisions are made following the application review process, and funded projects are expected to implement their activities within a reasonable period aligned with the grant’s intent.

Focus on unmet community needs demonstrate collaboration and efficient use of resources