Built by West Dayton. Carried forward by Community.

Gem City Market just celebrated five years on Salem Avenue. Before our doors opened, more than 3,000 neighbors became member-owners and helped build a full-service grocery store in West Dayton. Today we are more than 5,000 member-owners strong. No chain did that. This community did.

Being independent means we answer to West Dayton, not to shareholders. Local foundations have stood with Gem City Market every year, and we’re grateful. The strongest support has always come from the people who shop here, own it, and believe in it, and when we pull together, there’s nothing this community can’t build.

So we’re coming together again. Between now and January 31, friends of the Market across the region are joining to raise $150,000 and grow this store, together.

Member-owners holding a We Own It! Gem City Market sign
Online giving goal
All Together for Gem City Market

Online gifts count toward the $150,000 All Together campaign, which ends January 31.

Gifts made here go straight to Gem City Market and count toward All Together. Want a tax deduction? Give through The Dayton Foundation.

Ways to come together

There’s a way for everyone to be part of this, and it doesn’t always mean writing a check.

Shop

Shop the Market

Your weekly grocery trip is the most important thing you can do. Bring a friend who hasn’t been in yet.

SEE THE LATEST SALES
Join

Become a Member-Owner

A $100 share makes you a member-owner of the co-op. Already one? Gift a membership to someone you love.

BECOME A MEMBER-OWNER
Give

Donate Today

Make a one-time or monthly gift online, or a tax-deductible gift through The Dayton Foundation.

GIVE TO ALL TOGETHER

Where your support goes

Every dollar raised in this campaign stays in the store.

Keep the shelves stocked

Fresh produce, meat, and everyday staples at fair prices.

Keep our team working

Good jobs for the worker-owners and staff who run the store.

Repairs and upkeep

Keeping our coolers, equipment, and building in good shape.

Plan for what’s next

Savings that let the store plan ahead and keep growing.

We’ll show our work. Every month during the campaign, we’ll share how sales, new member-owners, and the campaign are going, and what your support made possible.

Questions

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Gifts made directly to the co-op are not tax-deductible. For a tax-deductible gift, give through The Dayton Foundation’s Gem City Market fund.

Who owns Gem City Market?

The store is owned by the member-owners who shop here and the workers who run it. Anyone can become a member-owner with a $100 share.

How can I help if I can’t give right now?

Shop with us, bring a friend, come to a member event, and share this page. Every one of those helps the store.

How will I know how the money is used?

We’ll post monthly campaign updates here and share them by email and on social media.

Can I give without supporting the campaign?

Yes. Our general donation page supports the co-op year-round.