Cones for a Cause is a community powered micro-grant foundation committed to driving social change in the Greater Dayton area.
Cones for a Cause micro-grants fund special projects and programs that build a better community for our customers, employees, families, and the people around us.
We are proud to support The Foodbank, Inc., whose mission is to eliminate hunger and its root causes throughout the Miami Valley. With a network of 118 partner agencies, The Foodbank distributed over 18 million pounds of food last year across Montgomery, Greene, and Preble Counties—serving more than 114,000 food-insecure individuals, including nearly 36,000 children.
At Miami Valley Meals, the mission is simple yet powerful: everyone deserves access to a hearty, nutritious meal, no matter their circumstances. With help from Cones for a Cause, they’ve continued to turn donated food into chef-crafted meals for neighbors facing food insecurity across the region.
At SICSA, the mission is to promote the welfare and adoption of companion animals and nurture lifelong bonds between pets and people. With support from Cones for a Cause, SICSA is expanding that mission by powering their Community Veterinary Care mobile clinics, which bring essential wellness services directly into underserved neighborhoods.
Secret Smiles of Dayton is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit that provides new beds, cribs, and warm bedding to children who would otherwise go without. With support from Cones for a Cause, 58 children in the Dayton area will receive their very own bed, many for the first time.
We Care Arts is helping students with special needs build confidence, creativity, and essential life skills through their Transition to Work program. This initiative brings weekly art classes and customized art kits directly into state-mandated special education classrooms across the Greater Miami Valley, at no cost to schools or districts.
Families of Addicts (FOA) supports individuals and families impacted by addiction through education, community, and open conversation. With help from Cones for a Cause, FOA is developing a new curriculum to guide its growing weekly meetings in Montgomery County, now serving over 100 participants. This curriculum will give volunteer leaders tools to spark dialogue and help families support their loved ones in recovery without enabling.
Old Scratch Pizza’s Cones for a Cause program is our way of giving back to the incredible nonprofits making a difference in our community. For the 2026 grant cycle, we’re building on what makes this program special, providing more focused, sustained support to six organizations throughout the year.
Fueled by the generosity of our guests, Cones for a Cause turns every ice cream cone into an act of kindness. When you enjoy a cone at any Old Scratch location, you have the opportunity to donate directly to the fund, helping us lift up local nonprofits serving those most in need.
Applications for the 2026 grant cycle will be accepted December 1, 2025 through February 15, 2026, with grantees announced in late February. Six nonprofits will each receive a $10,000 grant, distributed quarterly in $2,500 installments, ensuring steady support for organizations tackling critical challenges in our community.
Addiction Services: We support addiction services to offer hope and resources for individuals and families affected by substance abuse, fostering a community where everyone can overcome addiction.
Food Insecurity: We address food insecurity to ensure no one in our community goes hungry, promoting health, dignity, and equity for all through access to food.
Education: We prioritize education to empower individuals with the tools they need to succeed, fostering a community where every person can reach their full potential.
Housing Insecurity: We focus on housing insecurity to provide support, stability, and pathways to independence, building a stronger and more compassionate community for everyone.
Animal Welfare: We advocate for animal welfare to protect and care for animals, fostering empathy and respect for all living beings within our community.
Human Equality: We champion equality efforts to create a community where everyone feels respected and valued, fostering opportunities for anyone to thrive.
Old Scratch Pizza and the Cones for a Cause program are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity in our community. We take a non-discriminatory approach when awarding grants and provide an equal opportunity for organizations, and by extension, the people they serve, to access resources that will further their missions. We believe all people, of any ethnicity, race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, physical and mental abilities, and philosophy are entitled to services and support that will better their circumstances, leveraging their voice and impact in the Dayton community.
