Wrapping up a year of good work, neighbors, friends, and program partners from the Northwest Dayton Community Investment Fund (CIF) gathered for an evening of reflection and celebration.
The party was hosted in a fully-decked hall on the ground floor of Grace United Methodist where Pastor Steve Putka offered words of gratitude before we shared an amazing meal prepared and served by the team at Dayton Cooks. A feature of the festive atmosphere was a slide show that highlighted the impactful work of the CIF grant recipients.
Donerik Black started the formal program -- welcoming attendees and thanking them for all the valuable, meaningful, and exciting work over the past year. Erica Fields reflected on the origins of the CIF -- and the important precedent it has set in prioritizing the voices of residents for grant-making. Learn to Earn Dayton CEO, Stacy Schweikhart shared appreciation for the many community leaders -- volunteers, donors, and active residents -- who made this work possible -- and looked to the future by sharing how proximate grant-making is gaining momentum across the nation.
The highlight of the evening was hearing directly from staff and volunteers from the nonprofit grant recipients. These community leaders shared stories, data, and pictures to highlight the meaningful connections, challenges, and successes experienced through the important programming that was made possible through the CIF. There were powerful presentations featuring the work of Abundant Life, Equity Center, Grace Urban Development, Hatch Architects, On Purpose Academy, Spectrum New Beginnings, Valens Solutions, and Youth House.
In addition to sharing how they benefited from the grant itself, grantees highlighted the value of the CIF cohort. Organizations have expanded their capacity in meaningful ways -- the professional development learning sessions have provided tools and resources for ongoing sustainability. Perhaps most importantly, they have created a community of dedicated leaders who can call on one another and support one another's mission.
Moving toward the end of the evening, Donerik Black introduced special guest speaker Sharon Taste. An original member of the Northwest Dayton Partnership Steering Committee, Sharon is the Branch Manager of the Dayton Metro Library Northwest Branch, which has been a critical partner in the work. CIF nonprofit partners have based many of their programs at the Northwest Branch, and Sharon has done amazing work to be a true program partner not only the nonprofits and all children and families who live in the community. Sharon celebrated the many nonprofits and shared inspirational words to encourage the work going forward.
Thank you to the residents who served on the grant review committee, taking seriously their responsibility to consider what is most needed to elevate opportunity within Northwest Dayton. And a special thank you to the generous donors who made the Community Investment Fund possible through their belief in putting the power of philanthropy in the hands of the community.
