Television special chronicles organization’s first 100 years

There’s a lot to be said about an organization that has been at the heart of community giving for more than 100 years. A local television show in December certainly helped spread the word.

On Dec. 2, WHIO-TV aired a 30-minute television special, Becoming Dayton’s Community Foundation, that chronicled the roots of The Dayton Foundation from the initial donation from the prominent Patterson family in 1921 to the present, with the foundation encompassing more than 4,000 charitable funds from individuals, families and organizations. The Dayton Foundation ranks second in number of charitable funds under management among all community foundations nationwide.

“As we prepared in the lead-up to our 100th anniversary, we had some opportunity to think about what we wanted to accomplish,” Mike Parks, The Dayton Foundation president, says. “We landed on the concept of making sure folks knew that there was a place for everyone at The Dayton Foundation. This show was an excellent opportunity for people to understand that we’re a place for all people who want to do good things in our community.

“A lot of people think that foundations are only for the uber-rich. We have hundreds and hundreds of donors who are not uber-rich, but come from all walks of life and are of modest means. Our objective, for our whole 100th celebration, is to let people know that you can make a difference in Dayton, and that we are here to help you as you help others.”

Certainly, the entertaining television show was a culmination of those yearlong efforts. Narrated by Emmy award-winning actor and Dayton native Bruce Cromer, the show features interviews with various Dayton history experts, community leaders, The Dayton Foundation staff and governing board members. Throughout the special, the experts detail how the foundation has grown in the last century into a force for helping the Dayton region respond to its most pressing needs, while becoming a place for people of all giving levels to do good for the community.

If you missed the special when it aired, you’re still in luck. There’s a link to the show on The Dayton Foundation’s website.

The foundation’s sponsors, particularly 2020’s Centennial Celebration sponsors, had a big impact this year. “We have had unbelievably generous support from all of our sponsors who have been with us for the last 12 months. It wouldn’t have been possible without those sponsors and, for that, we are truly grateful.”

In September, donors, philanthropists and nonprofits also came together at Carillon Park to celebrate the generosity of Daytonians, Parks adds.

Established in 1921, The Dayton Foundation is the largest grant maker in Greater Dayton. Since its founding in 1921, more than $1 billion in grants has been awarded.

So what does the future hold?

While the show clearly outlines how The Dayton Foundation has been there in the times of greatest need, it’s also an invitation for all who would like to be a part of the next 100 years, providing solutions for challenging and complex problems as they arise.

“Think of the challenges our community has gone through in recent years with the tornadoes, Oregon District shootings and the pandemic,” Parks says. “The beauty of a community foundation is that it is there when you need it.”

In addition to its ongoing efforts to address special, unforeseen situations, The Dayton Foundation is also dedicated to ongoing issues such as equity and education.

“And those are issues that we are committed to for the long term,” Parks says.