Greenlight Grant 2025

The Greenlight Grant, administered by The Dayton Foundation, is designed to provide small, quick grants to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Dayton region. This funding opportunity is intended to support special projects, program expansions, capital improvements, or capacity-building initiatives. The grant does not support ongoing operational expenses. The program ensures that awarded funds are used to address specific needs within the community that are not currently met by existing organizational or community resources.

To be eligible for the Greenlight Grant, an organization must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit entity under the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, applicants must have been established for at least two years, demonstrating a track record of sustainability. Organizations must serve residents in the Greater Dayton region, which includes Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and northern Warren counties. Eligible applicants must also show a commitment to fostering opportunities and access for all individuals within their organizational practices and demonstrate systemic collaboration in their work. If an organization has previously received a Greenlight Grant, they must submit a final report before becoming eligible to apply for another grant.

Applications for the Greenlight Grant open on January 31, 2025, at 12:00 AM and close on March 3, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The funding amounts range from a minimum request of $500 to a maximum of $7,500. Applicants must prepare and submit various supporting documents, including their most recent audit (or an exemption explanation), a balance sheet, an income statement from the most recently completed fiscal year, and an itemized project budget that details secured, pending, and potential revenue sources alongside projected expenses. Applications must be submitted through the online portal; emailed submissions are not accepted.

Applicants are encouraged to use a courtesy worksheet available under the Grant Resources tab to help organize their responses before entering them into the application. The primary applicant can also invite collaborators to assist with completing the application or invite an executive contact to sign and submit. Collaborators must be added through the "Manage Collaborators" function, and those using The Dayton Foundation’s Donor Express portal may require additional permissions.

Following submission, applicants may be contacted for additional follow-up documents or questions. The grant committee will review applications and make funding decisions, with a committee meeting scheduled for May 1, 2025. For questions or assistance, applicants can contact Tania Arseculeratne at grantapplication@daytonfoundation.org or call (937) 225-9966.