Community Investment Fund

In 2022, L2ED used a portion of their Blue Meridian Partners investment to launch a grant opportunity for deeply connected, yet historically under-resourced organizations to build their capacity.

In 2023, we launched a second round, funded by The Dayton Foundation and generous companies, foundations, and individuals, to improve outcomes for Northwest Dayton’s children and families.

With guidance and oversight from the Community Investment Fund (CIF) review panel, comprising residents from the Northwest Dayton neighborhoods, Learn to Earn Dayton committed $1.45 million to improve outcomes in education, community well-being, racial equity, and economic mobility for Northwest Dayton’s children and families.

L2ED also provided the 28 organizations with technical assistance and professional development to help to build their capacity and ensure sustainability.

Beyond the benefit of investing nearly $1.5M in nonprofits directly serving the neighborhood, this process also served as a leadership development opportunity. Residents stepped into roles for nonprofit leadership or grant making decisions, claiming a seat at the table to demonstrate their skills and commitments.

As an example of how systems transformation is possible, the creation of the Community Investment Fund served as a pilot and demonstration project. Based on its success, The Dayton Foundation has committed to leverage community voice in grant making decisions – putting the power of philanthropy in the hands of the neighbors benefiting from the proposed programs. Learn to Earn Dayton continues as a proud partner in the vision.