Kettering Children's Choir Wins $10,000 Grant
✨THEY WON!!!✨ You did it, Dayton! Last month, we asked you to step up and vote for our very own Kettering Children's Choir—and you delivered! 🏆 KCC beat out 6 other finalists to secure a $10K Community Grant 🎶
Kettering Children's Choir Wins $10,000 Grant!
Thanks to the amazing support it received from voters in the Dayton area, Kettering Children’s Choir is thrilled to announce that it has been named the recipient of a 2026 Community Grant Award of $10K from the GBU Foundation
The voices of the Miami Valley have been heard—literally and figuratively. Kettering Children’s Choir (KCC) is proud to announce they have been named a recipient of a 2026 Community Grant Award, securing $10,000 from the GBU Foundation.
The award recognizes KCC's vital role as a "Community Builder," a distinction earned after a hard-fought public voting period. KCC stood out in a competitive field of 159 applicants, ultimately winning their category against six other organizations thanks to more than 9,000 votes cast by the community.
⏪ Flashback: Dayton Local was proud to feature KCC’s journey in our recent story "Help Kettering Children’s Choir Win $10,000 Grant" late last month; it's clear your votes made a world of difference!
For KCC, this isn't just a trophy for the shelf; it’s a door-opener for local youth. The $10,000 grant is earmarked to bolster scholarship opportunities and outreach.
"This award makes a huge difference for our Choir," said Artistic Director Christina Smith. "It will enable us to offer the life-changing experience of KCC membership to talented young singers in our area who might not otherwise be able to afford it. We are most grateful to everyone who responded to our recent request for votes."
Founded in 1986, the Kettering Children’s Choir has grown into a regional treasure. With nearly 100 singers representing nine counties and 30 different Miami Valley communities, the choir serves as a premier training ground for vocalists aged 8 to 18.
Based at Wright State University for weekly rehearsals, KCC is a frequent collaborator with Dayton’s professional theatre and opera companies, proving that the talent nurtured here in Kettering often takes center stage across the entire Eastern United States.
A delegation from KCC will travel to Pittsburgh on April 9 to officially accept the award at the GBU Foundation ceremony. The grant is part of nearly $100,000 distributed by GBU Life this year to organizations advancing wellness, education, and community support.
As KCC prepares for their upcoming Spring Concert and Gala, this grant ensures that the music will continue to play, and that no talented child is left off the riser due to financial barriers.
