Kettering Foundation Buys Oregon District Building

The Charles F. Kettering Foundation will move its headquarters from Washington Township back to downtown Dayton.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy

Kettering Foundation Buys Oregon District Building

Live Poll

Do you trust local nonprofits to be accountable to their communities even without fundraising?

The Charles F. Kettering Foundation purchased the Waitman building at 401 E. Fifth St. in Dayton's Oregon District, announcing the move in a statement on November 5. The foundation plans to establish a new headquarters in the four-story building in about two years.

Why it matters

The foundation said the move returns the organization to downtown, where it began, and places it closer to civic, cultural, nonprofit, community and academic partners in Dayton. The relocation signals a renewed commitment to the city's central neighborhoods.

The foundation's net assets grew from $463 million in 2024 to $594 million, according to its figures. The purchase price for the four-story building has not been disclosed, and the sale is not yet reflected in Montgomery County auditor's records.

The players

Charles F. Kettering Foundation

A Dayton-based philanthropic foundation established in 1927 that funds research and does not solicit donations, relying instead on its investment portfolio.

Charles Kettering

A Dayton entrepreneur and inventor best known for his work at General Motors and for founding the foundation that bears his name.

The details

The foundation, founded in 1927 by Dayton entrepreneur Charles Kettering, does not fundraise and relies on dividends from its investment portfolio. The four-story building at 401 E. Fifth St. will be renovated before the foundation moves in.

2024: Foundation net assets stood at $463 million.
November 5, 2026: Foundation announced the purchase of the Oregon District building.
About two years after November 2026: Foundation expects to open its new headquarters in the building.

Roadmap

The move returns the foundation to the downtown Dayton location where it was founded in 1927 by Charles Kettering. It reverses a shift away from the city's core and reconnects the organization with the civic and academic institutions it once anchored.

For Dayton residents, the move brings the foundation's headquarters into the Oregon District, where visitors and neighbors may see more activity downtown. The foundation's presence may also draw more partnerships with local nonprofit, community and academic groups.

The takeaway

A foundation's physical location can reflect its community ties, and this move shows a commitment to returning to Dayton's core. Residents interested in local philanthropy can follow how the new headquarters shapes downtown partnerships.