Community Investment Fund Impact Report
- Mar 3
- 6 min read
Learn to Earn Dayton facilitated a third and final round of the Community Investment Fund (CIF) in 2025, continuing its work with eight deeply-rooted, neighborhood organizations to implement projects in support of the resident-led Power of Place plan. Throughout 2025, these local organizations offered programming to serve the residents of Northwest Dayton in meaningful and innovative ways. With an eye toward capacity building and ongoing sustainability, Learn to Earn Dayton also provided technical assistance, professional development, meaningful connections to stakeholders, and one-on-one coaching. In this report, we are pleased to share their success, express our gratitude for all partners who made it possible, and look forward to what’s ahead.
Abundant Life Christian Ministries utilized CIF funding to sustain its after-school tutoring and enrichment program, providing vital academic support for elementary students in Northwest Dayton. The program delivered targeted small-group instruction in math and literacy, alongside homework assistance tailored to individual learning needs. By stabilizing staffing capacity, the grant ensured consistent supervision and a reliable routine for children during critical out-of-school hours. Participating students demonstrated measurable improvements in attendance, classroom focus, and overall confidence in their academic abilities. Beyond core academics, the initiative fostered social-emotional growth and reinforced positive behaviors among participants. Finally, the investment extended into summer learning, providing year-round continuity that prevented academic regression for local families.
With a $50,000 investment from the Community Investment Fund, On Purpose Academy launched the "Orange Room," a specialized pilot classroom serving neurodivergent preschoolers with high-intensity developmental needs. The initiative successfully implemented the evidence-based PATHS® curriculum, resulting in significant improvements in students' emotional regulation and social engagement. To ensure sustainable, high-quality care, the funding professionalized the early childhood workforce by subsidizing salaries for a lead teacher and a Child Development Specialist at competitive rates.
Beyond direct services, the Orange Room functioned as a powerful proof-of-concept that catalyzed broader systemic change across Dayton. This success led to formal partnerships with five additional childcare centers, expanding mental and behavioral health supports through signed Memorandums of Understanding. Ultimately, this seed funding transformed a single classroom pilot into a growing citywide network for early childhood intervention.
With support from the Learn to Earn Community Investment Fund, the Dayton Equity Center significantly expanded its capacity across workforce development, fiscal management, and resettlement services. The workforce program achieved a 50% increase in placement rates, with the latest cohort reaching a 100% completion rate and an average starting wage of $21.99 per hour. Strategic partnerships with regional manufacturers allowed graduates to secure over 25 industry-recognized credentials, creating a sustainable pipeline for non-traditional candidates. On the fiscal front, the organization is on track to reduce its budget deficit by over half after securing new funding sources for 20% of its budget and initiating a formal audit. The resettlement initiative provided essential resources to 215 individuals and served 623 people through a culturally appropriate food program that reinvests in refugee-owned businesses. Collectively, these investments have stabilized the Center’s infrastructure, allowing it to transition into a strategic planning phase focused on long-term sustainability and regional impact.
Spectrum New Beginnings utilized CIF funding to advance the Hope Zone Community Well-Being Initiative, delivering vital wellness programming to Northwest Dayton residents and frontline leaders. The initiative significantly exceeded its targets, serving over 950 individuals since 2024—nearly doubling its original goal of 500. Programming focused on health and healing through peer support circles, restorative self-care labs, and intergenerational wellness experiences tailored to high-stress ZIP codes. By specifically supporting educators, justice system staff, and caregivers, the initiative strengthened the region’s "web of care" and measurably reduced workplace burnout. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, with at least 75% noting improved emotional well-being and a deepened sense of community belonging. Ultimately, these results demonstrate a successful integration of mindfulness and self-regulation practices into the daily lives of the community's most critical service providers.
Through the Community Navigator and Immigrant Connection Dayton programs, Valens Solutions utilized CIF funding to help New Americans overcome language and cultural barriers. The organization exceeded its primary reach goal by serving 861 individuals, providing essential connections to housing, employment, education, and food. Their legal initiatives provided 155 immigration consultations and filed 60 cases, assisting clients with critical needs such as work permits, green cards, and citizenship. Additionally, the team facilitated four community events and successfully resolved over 50% of the issues identified in their caseloads. By employing experienced members of the immigrant community as Navigators, Valens Solutions ensured that support was both culturally competent and highly accessible. These results highlight the organization’s vital role in helping residents navigate complex civil and criminal legal landscapes while improving their overall quality of life.
In 2025, Youth House utilized Community Investment Fund (CIF) support to impact over 1,300 youth of color in Dayton through the Resource and Kingmaker Initiatives. The organization successfully distributed 1,450 resource packs—including school supplies and winter essentials—while providing more than 336 youth opportunity and community service hours. Beyond meeting immediate needs, the Kingmaker Initiative invested over $7,000 directly into Black boy leadership development and community organizations through grants, scholarships, and mentorship. This foundational funding also served as a catalyst, allowing Youth House to leverage an additional $27,000 in cash funding to scale its community presence. Overall, the project strengthened Youth House’s capacity to operate as a trusted, high-volume resource hub and leadership pipeline.
Grace Urban Development successfully implemented a capacity-building initiative that significantly strengthened its organizational infrastructure and community impact. Key highlights include enhancing staff and board expertise through professional development in trauma-informed care and governance, which improved program delivery and leadership accountability. The organization also modernized its outreach by upgrading its website and producing a promotional video for the Dayton Cooks! workforce program to better engage donors and partners. Tangible program results were evident as they served 85 children through Freedom School, supported 40 students in afterschool programming, and saw 27 individuals complete culinary workforce training. Finally, the completion of an independent financial audit bolstered internal controls and funder confidence, positioning the organization for long-term sustainability.
During the summer of 2025, Hatch Architects Design Center significantly exceeded its engagement goals by serving 190 students through hands-on design-build workshops, far surpassing its initial target of 60. The initiative successfully reached a diverse audience, with students of color representing 80% of participants. K-6th graders contributed to their community by constructing 28 bird feeders, while teenagers designed and built functional items for the Northwest Library, including mobile book carts and a double-sided whiteboard. The program also emphasized career exposure by hosting five guest speakers from the architectural and trade industries and conducting outreach at four Dayton Public Schools. To ensure long-term sustainability, Hatch has invested in organizational growth by hiring an Operations Manager and a Strategy Consultant to guide future development.
Building Sustainable Impact
Recognizing the systemic funding barriers faced by emerging organizations, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) integrated a robust capacity-building framework. The initiative was designed to expand social networks, strengthen operational infrastructure, and empower leaders to secure diverse public and private investments. Beyond financial capital, the CIF cohort received comprehensive support through one-on-one technical assistance, professional development, and strategic networking.
Quarterly collaborative check-ins were hosted for grantees to share challenges and successes. Hosted by Learn to Earn Dayton (L2ED), these sessions provided professional development on critical topics such as marketing on a budget, effective fundraising, and SMART goal implementation. These check-ins also provided real-time technical assistance and troubleshooting to ensure grantees met their milestones.
Featured Professional Development
Strategic Media Engagement: Featuring Nick Hrkman (Former Editor, Dayton Daily News/ Co-founder, The Journalism Lab), this session provided small organizations with insider strategies for capturing media attention and elevating their public profile.
Grant Writing & Fundraising Fundamentals: Led by Megan Cooper (Director of Development, L2ED), this workshop prepared recipients for successful resource development, covering grant seeking, donor cultivation, impact reporting, and cross-sector networking.
Funder Impact Exchange: A high-impact "speed networking" event connecting CIF nonprofits with philanthropic leaders. This session allowed funders to discover grassroots initiatives while helping nonprofits refine their pitches and build the confidence necessary to engage with major donors.
Customized Coaching: Cohort members received one-on-one mentorship, providing a dedicated space to troubleshoot specific organizational barriers.
Strategic Partnerships for Equity
To further bridge the racial and economic gap in our region, The Dayton Foundation and the Mathile Family Foundation have committed ongoing technical support through the Nonprofit Capacity-Building Partnership. This collaboration focuses on advancing regional equity and diversity by equipping non-profit leaders with the tools to build institutional resilience.
