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.

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.

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.

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.

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