The Greenlight Grants program is a competitive grant opportunity administered by The Dayton Foundation. It provides small, quick grants designed to support nonprofit organizations in need of funding for special projects, program expansions, capital improvements, or capacity-building efforts. These grants aim to assist time-sensitive projects that have a significant impact on the outcome of a nonprofit initiative. The funding is not intended for ongoing operational expenses but rather for one-time strategic investments that enhance an organization’s capacity or effectiveness.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that have been established for at least two years and demonstrate a history of sustainability. Additionally, applicants must serve citizens in the Greater Dayton Region, specifically in Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Darke, Preble, and Warren (north) counties in Ohio. Funded projects must address community needs not currently met by existing resources, demonstrate collaboration, and show a commitment to equitable access and opportunities. The evaluation criteria for grant approval include comprehensive program design, organizational capacity to execute the project, trained staff or volunteers, sufficient financial resources to sustain the project, and a unique impact on a substantial number of people.

The Greenlight Grants program awards grants ranging from $500 to $7,500. The number and size of grant awards are dependent on available funding and donor restrictions. While the program funds a variety of projects, it does not support general operating expenses, academic or medical research, individual applicants, religious sectarian activities, scholarships, fundraising events, endowments, or capital campaign feasibility studies. Certain exclusions apply, such as funding for hospitals and universities' internal programs, multi-year grants, and publication-related costs.

Applications for Greenlight Grants must be submitted online through The Dayton Foundation’s grant portal. A courtesy worksheet is available to help applicants prepare responses before entering them into the portal. Organizations with an open Greenlight Grant must submit final reports before applying for new funding. Additionally, organizations with past-due final reports that have not requested an extension will be ineligible to apply for grants for two years following the submission of the overdue report. If an application is denied, the organization may not resubmit the same project request.

The grant application deadlines for 2025 are March 3, June 2, September 2, and December 1, with funding decisions made approximately two weeks after each deadline. Contact for inquiries and assistance is available through Tania Arseculeratne, Senior Community Engagement Officer, at (937) 225-9966 or via email at grantapplication@daytonfoundation.org. The Dayton Foundation also provides an online discretionary grants orientation video to guide applicants through the process.