Dayton, Ohio – The City of Dayton Office of Sustainability and the University of Dayton have announced a major new initiative aimed at empowering local organizations to address the city’s most pressing environmental and climate-related challenges. The Climate Resilience Fund, a sustainability-focused grant program, will provide up to $40,000 annually to non-profit and non-governmental organizations working on solutions in Dayton’s neighborhoods.
Community-Led Climate Action Gets a Boost
The Climate Resilience Fund is specifically designed to support community-driven projects that respond to climate change impacts and environmental justice issues in Dayton. Projects that tackle problems such as food access, energy efficiency, waste reduction or diversion, and environmental education are all eligible for funding.
The fund encourages efforts that go beyond simply launching new programs. It is also available to support the operations of existing organizations or to help new organizations get started, making the grant more flexible than many traditional funding sources.
“Strategic investment in community-led efforts that support residents, address climate challenges, and foster resilient, healthy, safe, and just neighborhoods strengthens the city as a whole. Grant opportunities like these provide the foundation grassroots organizations need to carry forward vital work for Dayton’s long-term success,” said Meg Maloney, Sustainability Manager for the City of Dayton.
In line with the City of Dayton’s Sustainability Strategy and the University of Dayton’s mission to promote environmental stewardship, this fund serves as a concrete example of local leadership working collaboratively to foster change on the ground.
“The City of Dayton is committed to demonstrating leadership in sustainability and facilitating action at a grassroots level within the community,” said City Manager Shelley Dickstein. “This partnership with the University of Dayton demonstrates how we can work collaboratively to amplify our collective efforts and foster opportunity for community organizations to thrive.”
University Partnership Strengthens Local Sustainability Vision
The University of Dayton, through its Hanley Sustainability Institute, is a key partner in the new grant program. The university has long committed to improving the environment on and off campus, and this fund aligns with its broader mission of supporting sustainable living practices within the Dayton community.
“UD is committed to maintaining and, wherever possible, improving the environment for people who live and work at the University and the wider community. Part of that commitment involves engaging off-campus organizations — including local governments, businesses, citizen groups, agencies and schools — in cooperative efforts to adopt, wherever practical, methods of living and working that reduce our impact on the environment. The Climate Resilience Fund builds on longstanding partnerships to do just that,” said Don Pair, Executive Director of the Hanley Sustainability Institute.
Application Details and Virtual Meeting
Proposals for the 2026 Climate Resilience Fund are being accepted now through April 30. Applicants can find full eligibility guidelines, application forms, and more details by visiting daytonohio.gov/sustainability.
To help interested organizations better understand the grant process, an optional virtual information session will be held via Microsoft Teams at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3. A recording of the session will also be made available upon request for those unable to attend live.
With this new fund, Dayton takes another bold step toward building a climate-resilient and equitable future, empowering community groups to drive impactful change right where it’s needed most.
