Greater Dayton Conservation Fund Grant

The Greater Dayton Conservation Fund Grant, managed by The Dayton Foundation, aims to support conservation initiatives that preserve natural resources in the Greater Dayton area. With a focus on community collaboration, this fund encourages organizations to demonstrate equity and sustainability in their projects. Eligible applicants must be established 501(c)(3) nonprofits that address community needs. Priority is given to innovative approaches that enhance resource efficiency and promote citizen engagement in local affairs.

This fund supports conservation initiatives and programs that work to preserve Greater Dayton’s natural resources. The Fund’s Advisory Committee has launched a strategic initiative to pursue new funding opportunities. In future grant cycles, the Greater Dayton Conservation Fund distribution will be used to identify new, untapped sources of revenue to achieve positive outcomes for the collaborative work in our community.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant, your organization must:be recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, according to the Internal Revenue Code;be established for at least two years and have a track record of sustainability;benefit citizens in the Greater Dayton region, (Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble and Warren (north) counties);demonstrate diversity, equity and inclusion in organizational strategic plans, policies or other documents such as an equity statement;demonstrate systemic collaboration;address needs that are not met fully by existing organizational or community resources; andhave submitted the final report for any previously received Foundation Greenlight GrantSM or discretionary grant.

Ineligibility

We generally do not award discretionary grants for:general organizational operations, ongoing programs, operational deficits, or reduced or lost funding;individuals, scholarships, travel;religious/sectarian causes;fundraising drives;special or one-time events, annual fundraising drives, ceremonies, conferences and workshops;political activities;public or private schools;endowment funds;hospitals and universities for internal programs;matching grants (unless local dollars are needed to fulfill a condition for a state or federal grant); neighborhood or local jurisdiction projects;newly organized not-for-profit organizations (less than a two-year track record as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization);publications, scientific, medical or academic research projects, research papers; art exhibits; orcultural arts productions, with the exception of funding costs associated with creating original works.In addition, multi-year or large-dollar requests (unless they are initiatives approved by the Foundation's Grants Committee or Governing Board) rarely are considered.