The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation provides grants in three program areas: Program and Operating Grants, Capital Grants, and Strategic Grants which focus on girls ages 10-14. The Foundation seeks to support sustainable, creative solutions to Worcester’s most pressing societal challenges by funding programs and institutions that help people become more self-reliant in their lives and communities. Grant guidelines and information about project grants cycles and required letters of intent can be found in Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Please scroll down for information about each program.
PROGRAM AND OPERATING GRANTS
The Foundation Board met on September 27, 2021 and decided to return to its traditional application process for grants. Prior to COVID-19 the Foundation accepted general operating and program support grant applications, and organizations were limited to applying only one time per year.
History and Current: As a response to the crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Daniels Foundation began in April 2020 only accepting grant applications specifically tailored to organizations providing DIRECT and IMMEDIATE support for basic needs to Worcester’s most vulnerable populations. Subsequently the Foundation allowed only COVID-related grant applications, but they were no longer limited to basic needs. Additionally, the Foundation waived the rule of only one grant per year.
The Foundation is returning to the rule of only one grant per year, and grant applications starting with the October 2021 cycle can be for either general operating expenses or specific one-time program expenses.
- Operating support: This grant provides funds for the ongoing operations of the organization, including (but not limited to) operations, program, marketing, fund raising or leadership development expenses.
- Program support: This grant provides funds for one-time program costs, including (but not limited to) COVID-19 expenses, upgrading computers, replacing a boiler, capacity development, or installing a new piece of program equipment.
The deadline for submitting applications is the last day of the months of January, April, July and October for decisions that are made at the Foundation’s quarterly meetings.
INVESTING IN GIRLS STRATEGIC GRANTS
Since 2004 the Daniels Foundation has offered grants targeting programs which focus on girls age 10-14. The Daniels Foundation selected this focus area because it was the most under-resourced population in the Worcester, MA service area. Applications for Investing in Girls Strategic Grants are competitive and need to demonstrate both evidence-based planning and organizational capability. Grant recipients must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization and 100% of received funds must be applied to the Worcester, MA service area. Investing in Girls Strategic Grants will be awarded up to $40,000 annually, with two application deadlines: October 31, for grants to be used in summer programs; and, January 31, for grants to be applied to school year programming. Successful applicants must be members of the Investing in Girls Alliance and can receive no more than one Investing in Girls Strategic Grant per year.
CAPITAL GRANTS
The Daniels Foundation provides capital grants to organizations located in the Worcester, MA service area that recognized as a 501(c)(3) corporation. Capital grants are for building construction or building improvements only; program operations or program improvements are not funded by capital grants. Grant payments typically are spread over three years and may not start immediately; all payments are scheduled at the discretion of the Foundation. Capital Grant applications are aggregated and approved once per year.
The next Capital Grant cycle opens for applications on January 1st, 2025 and closes on the following April 1st.
RECENT GRANTS
We encourage you to browse a list of selected recent grants to better understand the types of work we fund.
| Organization Name | Project Name | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester State University | One Circle: Engaging Middle School Girls in Identity, Culture, and Wellness | $225,000.00 |
| YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc. | Transformations | $225,000.00 |
| Investing In Girls Alliance (FS) | Investing in Girls Alliance (IIGA) | $100,000.00 |
| The Barton Center for Diabetes Education Inc. | Joslin Camp Construction Project | $10,000.00 |
| Regional Environmental Council, Inc. | The Center for Urban Agriculture and Food Security | $50,000.00 |
| Anna Maria College | Build Up Rise High | $5,000.00 |
| Community Harvest Project | Purchasing a Permanent Home at Brigham Hill Community Farm | $50,000.00 |
| Bernard Family Community Kitchen | Bernard Family Community Kitchen | $25,000.00 |
| Worcester Natural History Museum | Third Century Capital Campaign – Phase III | $50,000.00 |
| Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton | UUSGU LiftUP Project (Phase 3 of Universal Accessibility Plan) | $25,000.00 |
| Worcester Earn-A-Bike | Worcester Earn-a-Bike - Youth Earn-a-Bike | $2,500.00 |
| Liberal Arts for Returning Citizens (Clark University) | Liberal Arts for Returning Citizens | $5,000.00 |
| Quinsigamond Community College Foundation, Inc. | Emergency Aid to Support At-Risk QCC Students’ Basic Needs | $10,000.00 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass and MetroWest | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass and Metrowest 1:1 Mentoring in Worcester | $5,000.00 |
| One Can Help | Provide missing resources vulnerable children & families in juvenile courts/DCF need to succeed | $5,000.00 |
| Old Sturbridge, Inc. | General Operating Support for Old Sturbridge Village | $5,000.00 |
| Worcester Chamber Music Society | Operating Support for Worcester Chamber Music Society | $5,000.00 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Worcester | Meeting Kids Where They're At: Trauma-Informed Club Care | $10,000.00 |
| Community Servings, Inc. | Nutrition Program for Worcester County Residents Affected by Critical & Chronic Illnesses | $15,000.00 |
| The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for Performing Arts | Downtown Dance | $5,000.00 |
| Notre Dame Academy Worcester | Notre Dame Academy: Master Facility Plan Development | $5,000.00 |
| Spoonfuls Inc. | Food Recovery and Hunger Relief in Worcester County | $7,500.00 |
| The CASA Project, Inc. | CASA Child Court Advocacy Program | $10,000.00 |
| Genesis Clubhouse, Inc. | Genesis Club Career Development Program | $10,000.00 |
| Worcester County Mechanics Association, aka Mechanics Hall | Community Outreach Programming 2024 | $10,000.00 |
| Rise Above Foundation | Activities for Worcester County Girls in Foster Care | $5,000.00 |
| Lucy's Love Bus | Sajni’s Siblings & Lucy’s Children in Worcester County | $5,000.00 |
| Overlook Food Awareness Resource of Massachusetts, Inc. (Overlook FARM) | Overlook Farm Operating Costs | $5,000.00 |
| Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc. | Mass Audubon’s Central Region General Operations | $15,000.00 |
| Dismas House of Massachusetts, Inc. | Dismas House | $12,000.00 |
| African Community Education Program | Family Outreach | $10,000.00 |
| United Way of Central Massachusetts, Inc. | Women's Initiative General Operating and Programmatic Support | $40,000.00 |
| Straight Ahead Ministries, Inc. | Worcester Youth Reentry Program | $5,000.00 |
| Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, Inc. | Finding Adoptive Families for Youth and Teens in Foster Care in Worcester County | $5,000.00 |
| Community Health Awareness Network Grows Equity | Community Health Awareness Network Grows Equity Youth Program- CHANGEMAKERS | $2,000.00 |
| Worcester Youth Center Inc | Worcester Youth Center, Operational Support | $7,500.00 |
| Provision Ministry, Inc. | Providing Food and New Essential Items to People in Need In Worcester, MA | $10,000.00 |
| YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc. | YWCA Organizational Support | $25,000.00 |
| Worcester Historical Museum | Worcester Historical Museum Organizational Support | $5,000.00 |
| North Star Family Services | North Star Family Services—Family Homeless Shelter | $5,000.00 |
| Girls Incorporated of Worcester | General Operations to support Strong, Smart, and Bold After School Program | $25,000.00 |
| Project Just Because, Inc. | Helping Provide Food and Essential Items to Worcester County residents | $5,000.00 |
| Mustard Seed Catholic Worker Community, Inc. | The Mustard Seed – Healing Community Hunger | $3,500.00 |
| Community Harvest Project | Increasing Sustainability of Local Nutritious Food Aid | $25,000.00 |
| Science from Scientists | During-School STEM Education for Worcester Students AY 2024-25 | $5,000.00 |
| Horizons for Homeless Children, Inc. | Worcester County Playspace Program for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness | $5,000.00 |
| Music Worcester Inc. | Music Worcester: A Melody of Community and Culture | $5,000.00 |
| Discovery Museums, Inc. | Traveling Science Workshops: Worcester | $4,500.00 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester | ESOL and Workforce Readiness Program for New Americans in Greater Worcester | $7,500.00 |
| VNA Care Network, Inc | Removing Barriers to Health for Worcester County Residents | $5,000.00 |
| Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester | Music Matters | $3,000.00 |
| Jeremiahs Hospice, Inc. (aka Jeremiah's Inn) | Jeremiah's Inn | $15,000.00 |
| The Barton Center for Diabetes Education Inc. | Operational Support | $10,000.00 |
| Regional Environmental Council, Inc. | REC Food Justice Programs | $15,000.00 |
| ThinkGive | ThinkGive Worcester: A Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Program Expansion | $4,000.00 |
| Rachel's Table | The Children's Milk Fund of Rachel's Table | $16,000.00 |
| Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children | MSPCC’s Survivor Services in Worcester | $5,000.00 |