Dayton Equity Center

What Dayton Equity Center does

Dayton Equity Center (legally "Equity Center") is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in January 2017 in Dayton, Ohio by Rev. Peter Edward Matthews of McKinley United Methodist Church alongside John E. Moore Sr., Raymond Hummons Sr., and Lisa Turner. The organization delivers a portfolio of community development programs across four pillars: workforce development, education, food security, and creative/community incubation. Its primary mission is to remove employment and social-mobility barriers for justice-impacted individuals, at-risk youth, immigrants and refugees, and food-insecure families in the Greater Miami Valley region.

Core programming includes the POWER/Forklift Certification and Manufacturing Certification programs (two-week courses awarding SME Certified Manufacturing Associate credentials with an 80% reported placement rate), a 12-week Cybersecurity Boot Camp aligned to the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity exam, a Digital Entrepreneurship curriculum built on Google's digital skills framework, and the 21st Century afterschool enrichment program at Roosevelt Elementary serving ~36-88 students daily with STEM, arts, and athletics. Food security operations are anchored by the Brinkley Food Pantry at McKinley United Methodist Church, distributing 3,034 meals/pantry items annually and weekly culturally appropriate food to ~50 emigrant families. The Creative Incubator has spawned offshoots including Ebenezer Healthcare Access (serving 2,500+ immigrants) and GEM (Girls Emerging into Maturity). Technology footprint consists of Google Workspace tools (Drive, Analytics, Domains, Sites) plus third-party donations infrastructure (PayPal, Zeffy/Stripe, Dayton Foundation) and Constant Contact for email outreach — there is no proprietary software platform.

The business model is grant-and-donation funded rather than revenue-generating. Funding streams include the Google.org justice reform grant, individual and corporate donations, Ohio TechCred employer reimbursements (up to $2,000 per credential), Senior Housing/New Market/Opportunity Zone tax credits, and government grants. All end-user programs are delivered free of charge. Programs are distributed through four channels: direct service delivery at Equity Center facilities, school-based programming (Roosevelt Elementary), church-based distribution (McKinley UMC), and the Global Village consulting initiative. Customer/beneficiary segments are persona-based — justice-impacted individuals (primary), at-risk youth and families, immigrants/refugees, and food-insecure families — served via community-led outreach through churches, partner organizations, schools, and word-of-mouth.

Name

Dayton Equity Center

Legal name

Equity Center

Website

https://equitycenters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dayton Equity Center is a Dayton, Ohio-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers free workforce development, education, food security, and community support programs to underserved populations including justice-impacted individuals, at-risk youth, immigrants, and food-insecure families across the Greater Miami Valley region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Remedial & Credit Recovery Learning Centers (EDANAHAK)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Workforce development programs
• Food security assistance
• Community education programs
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dayton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations through PayPal, Zeffy (Stripe), and the Dayton Foundation. Donations from individuals and organizations fund community programs and services.
2. Google.org Grants: Received funding from Google's justice reform fund. Google invested $4 million toward expanding justice reform work across nonprofit partners. Dayton Equity Center was selected as a recipient to integrate Google's digital skills curriculum.
3. Government Grants and Tax Credits: Receives funding through various government programs including TechCred reimbursements for employers (up to $2,000 per credential), tax credits such as Senior Housing Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, Opportunity Zone Credits, and government grants for specific initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dayton Equity Center is a nonprofit community development organization that delivers workforce development, adult education, food security, and community support programs to residents of underserved Dayton, Ohio neighborhoods. It also operates a community technology hub that provides computer access and digital literacy support as part of its integrated wraparound service model.

Product overview

Dayton Equity Center is a non-profit community development organization operating a portfolio of workforce development, education, food security, and community support programs. The core offerings include POWER/Forklift Certification and Manufacturing Certification programs (flagship TechCred-eligible workforce training with 80% placement rates), Cybersecurity Boot Camp, Digital Entrepreneurship training, and Grow with Google digital skills curriculum partnership. Educational initiatives center on the 21st Century Program afterschool enrichment at Roosevelt Elementary. Food security operations include the Brinkley Food Pantry. Creative and community development encompasses the Creative Incubator supporting entrepreneurs and the Global Village Initiative partnering with churches and organizations. The organization does not offer a unified software product, SaaS platform, or API-enabled technology product—its programs are service-based community initiatives delivered through strategic partnerships with employers, educational institutions, and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Workforce Development Program Job-readiness training, career coaching, and employment support services for Dayton residents facing barriers to employment. Designed for low- and moderate-income adults seeking to build skills and obtain stable employment.
• Adult and Community Education Program Adult education and learning support programs for Dayton community members aimed at building skills and addressing educational barriers. Targeted at underserved adults seeking to improve literacy, earn credentials, or continue learning.
• Food Security Program Food assistance and food security programming for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in the Dayton area. Designed for low-income households and community members needing reliable food access.
• Community Technology Hub On-site technology hub providing computer and internet access along with digital literacy support to community members who lack reliable digital access. Intended for Dayton residents needing a digital on-ramp for employment, education, and services.
• Community Support Services Wraparound community support services that connect Dayton residents to resources and address social barriers to stability. Targeted at underserved individuals and families needing coordinated assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% job placement rate for manufacturing program completers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Fifth Third BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFifth Third Bank partners with the Equity Center on the POWER Career Pathway program. Through this partnership, a two-week paid workforce development class provides opportunities for direct employment at living wage. The program includes forklift operator certification and physical/mental health training.
• Procter and GamblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProcter and Gamble partners with the Equity Center for direct employment opportunities through the POWER program. Graduates become certified forklift operators and can be hired directly at P&G facilities at living wage.
• The FoodbankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foodbank of Miami Valley partners on the POWER Career Pathway providing support for workforce development participants. Also provides food for Corona Camp and weekly distribution programs serving 50+ families.
• Google (Grow with Google)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDayton Equity Center partnered with Google to provide digital skills programs advancing economic opportunity for people impacted by incarceration. Google invested $4 million toward justice reform funding. The Equity Center received funding to integrate Google's digital skills curriculum covering job searching, resume building, online safety, and entrepreneurship.
• Dayton Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDayton Public Schools partners with the Equity Center for the Roosevelt Neighborhood School initiative. The Equity Center provides resources to students at Roosevelt Elementary through afterschool programming including STEM activities, athletic training, and academic support.
• University of DaytonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Dayton is a partner agency supporting the 21st Century Program at Roosevelt Elementary. Provides educational support, internships, and collaborative programming.
• Sinclair CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSinclair College partners with the Equity Center as a supporting agency for the 21st Century Program, providing educational resources and potential pathways for students.
• Wright State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWright State University is a partner agency supporting the 21st Century Program at Roosevelt Elementary.
• McKinley United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcKinley United Methodist Church hosts the Brinkley Food Pantry and serves as a key partner for The Gathering food fellowship program. Also supports Corona Camp and various community initiatives.
• Ebenezer Healthcare AccesssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEbenezer Healthcare Access, founded through the Creative Incubator, provides healthcare access to legal immigrants and underserved populations. Serves over 2,500 immigrants and refugees who have settled in the region.
• Girls Emerging into Maturity (GEM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGEM is a partner organization with a mission to improve Ohio's future by inspiring youth and empowering families. Recognized as Dayton Magazine's Nonprofit of the Year 2023 in Community Outreach.
• West Dayton StrongsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Dayton Strong partnered with the Equity Center during Corona Camp and COVID-19 testing initiatives, providing support for community outreach and food distribution.
• Wesley Community CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesley Community Center partnered with the Equity Center to provide food delivery to 50 families during Corona Camp programming.
• CitiwidesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitiwide partners with the Equity Center for The Gathering program, helping provide coats, clothing, and community resources to over 100 children throughout the year.
• Ohio Unity CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Equity Center is the Dayton chapter of the Ohio Unity Coalition, a nonpartisan organization. Coalition efforts include voter registration, civic engagement, and ensuring accessible elections.
• Primary Health SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary Health Solutions partnered with the Equity Center to provide weekly COVID-19 testing at trusted community sites in local neighborhoods, addressing healthcare access gaps west of the Great Miami River.
• Xavier UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerXavier University is a Gold Package sponsor of the Emerge Equity Summit 2025, supporting the organization's signature annual event.
• Premier HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier Health is a sponsor of the Emerge Equity Summit 2025, supporting the organization's equity and opportunity initiatives.
• The FoodbanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foodbank is an Ad Block sponsor of the Emerge Equity Summit 2025.
• Dayton CookssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDayton Cooks is a partner agency supporting the 21st Century Program at Roosevelt Elementary.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Per Scholas: National tech workforce training nonprofit offering tuition-free IT and cybersecurity certification with employer placement. Comparable on tech credentialing and TechCred-adjacent training models.
• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit serving young adults from underserved communities with corporate training partnerships and high placement rates. Comparable on employer-partnered workforce training for opportunity youth.
• Safer Foundation: Chicago-based nonprofit providing employment, education, and supportive services for people with criminal records. Comparable on reentry workforce pathway with employer placement focus.
• Homeboy Industries: LA-based nonprofit providing wraparound reentry services including workforce training, social support, and community programs. Closely comparable multi-pillar model serving justice-impacted individuals.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National nonprofit providing immediate employment and workforce development for people returning from incarceration. Closely comparable reentry-focused workforce model with employer placement pathways.
• Goodwill Industries of the Miami Valley: Regional Goodwill affiliate operating workforce development, employment placement, and community support programs in the same Dayton geography. Directly comparable on workforce training and reentry services for underserved populations.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution supporting CDCs and community organizations with funding and capacity building. Comparable on community development funding and partnership infrastructure.
• National Urban League: Large national civil rights and urban advocacy organization with workforce development, education, and economic empowerment programs. Comparable on multi-pillar equity services for underserved communities.
• United Way of the Greater Dayton Area: Regional United Way affiliate funding and coordinating social services across the Greater Dayton area. Operates as a funder and convener for many of the same community partners as Dayton Equity Center.

Regional players

• YWCA Dayton: Regional YWCA serving the Dayton area with workforce development, housing, and social services for women and families. Comparable on community-based workforce and family support in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/105643458168996
• Instagraminstagram.com/daytonequity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dayton-equity-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dayton Equity Center