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.

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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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.

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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.

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RECENT GRANTS

We encourage you to browse a list of selected recent grants to better understand the types of work we fund.

Organization NameProject NameAmount Awarded
Worcester State UniversityOne Circle: Engaging Middle School Girls in Identity, Culture, and Wellness$225,000.00
Investing In Girls Alliance (FS)Investing in Girls Alliance $100,000.00
Pathways for Change, Inc. Sexual Assault Prevention & Survivor Services $10,000.00
Community Servings, Inc.Nutrition Program for Worcester County Residents Affected by Critical & Chronic Illnesses$15,000.00
Worcester County Mechanics Association, aka Mechanics HallCommunity Outreach Programming 2023$10,000.00
Old Sturbridge, Inc.General Operating Support for Old Sturbridge Village$12,500.00
Rise Above FoundationActivities for youth in foster care$5,000.00
Lovin' Spoonfuls Inc.Food Rescue and Hunger Relief in Worcester County$7,500.00
Genesis Clubhouse, Inc.Genesis Club Career Development Program$10,000.00
Family Health Center of WorcesterHealthcare for Homeless Families$15,000.00
Worcester Chamber Music SocietyWorcester Chamber Music Society Operating Support$3,000.00
The CASA Project, Inc.CASA Child Court Advocacy Program $10,000.00
Vanessa T. Marcotte FoundationFemale Safety Awareness and Empowerment$5,000.00
Boys and Girls Club of WorcesterTrain the Trainers Leadership Development$10,000.00
Joy of Music Program, Inc.JOMP UP! $5,000.00
WICN Public RadioWICN-The Voice of Arts and Culture $3,000.00
Guild of St. Agnes of Worcester, Inc.Guild of St. Agnes - University Collaborative Early Education & Care Center$10,000.00
Rainbow Child Development CenterCapital Improvements to Ensure the Health and Safety of Low Income Children$15,000.00
Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc.Abby's House: Shelter Capital Renovation Project $30,000.00
Mustard Seed Catholic Worker Community, Inc.Pavilion$5,000.00
Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc.Expanded Exhibits, Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center @Worcester$5,000.00
African Community Education ProgramACE Building Renovation$100,000.00
Nativity School of Worcester, Inc.Nativity School of Worcester Girls Division Capital Project$85,000.00
United Nations Association of Greater BostonWorcester Future Leaders Model UN$1,000.00
Straight Ahead Ministries, Inc.Worcester Youth Re-entry Program - Straight2Work$5,000.00
Overlook Food Awareness Resource of MassachusettsOperating Support for Overlook FARM$5,000.00
Pakachoag Music School of Greater WorcesterOperating Support$3,000.00
Dismas House of Massachusetts, Inc.Dismas House$12,000.00
Franklin County Community Meals ProgramSupporting Worcester County Clients of the Orange Pantry$2,500.00
YMCA of Central MassachusettsTadpoles Enhancement Initiative$5,000.00
Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc.Mass Audubon’s Central Region general operations $15,000.00
Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, Inc.Finding Permanent Adoptive Homes for Children and Teens in Foster Care in Worcester County$5,000.00
Latin American Health AllianceHector Reyes House Makerspace$5,000.00
American Red Cross of Central MAAmerican Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services in Worcester County$5,000.00
United Way of Central Massachusetts, Inc.Women's Initiative General Operating and Programmatic Support$30,000.00
Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc.Abby's House: Shelter, Housing, and Women's Services $10,000.00
North Star Family ServicesNorth Star Family Services$5,000.00
Provision Ministry, Inc.Providing Food and New Essential Items to People in Need In Worcester, MA$10,000.00
YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.General Operating Support$25,000.00
Mustard Seed Catholic Worker Community, Inc.Mustard Seed Operational Funds for Food Kitchen $2,500.00
Worcester Historical MuseumWorcester Historical Museum Organizational Support$10,000.00
Jeremiahs Hospice, Inc. (aka Jeremiah's Inn)Nutrition Center$10,000.00
Worcester Youth Center IncWorcester Youth Center Operational Support$7,500.00
Community Harvest ProjectGrowing Consistency in Addressing Food Insecurity$25,000.00
Worcester AcademyWorcester Scholars Program$10,000.00
Project Just Because, Inc.Helping Provide Food and Essential Items to Worcester County residents$5,000.00
Apple Tree ArtsSummer Music Programming$3,000.00
Worcester Youth Cooperatives, IncGeneral Operating Funds$5,000.00
YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.Transformations$225,000.00
YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.Girls Night @ Camp$18,000.00
VNA Care Network, IncRemoving Barriers to Health for Worcester County Residents$5,000.00
Regional Environmental Council, Inc.REC Food Justice Programs$15,000.00
Literacy Volunteers of Greater WorcesterESOL for New Americans in Greater Worcester $5,000.00
Rachel's TableChildren's Milk Fund$15,000.00
Worcester Children's Chorus, Inc.Empowering Voices, Enriching Lives - Scaling Up for Inclusive Musical Opportunities$2,000.00
Science from ScientistsDuring-School STEM Education for Worcester Students AY 2023-24$3,000.00
Music Worcester Inc.Returning To The Stage: operating support for Music Worcester's 23-24 Season$5,000.00
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ChildrenMSPCC’s Survivor Services funding in the Worcester Area $5,000.00
Discovery Museums, Inc.Discovery Science: Worcester$4,000.00
ThinkGiveThinkGive SEL program implementation at African Community Education (ACE) in 2023–2024.$4,000.00
Horizons for Homeless Children, Inc.Central Region Playspace Program for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness $5,000.00
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT APPLICATION DEADLINES AND CRITERIA