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 three year 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 are competitive, requiring substantial evidence of planning and capability, and follow up with grant recipients is frequent and rigorous. The best grant applications demonstrate significant evidence-based planning with a comprehensive plan for sustainability after three years. 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. Grants are available for up to $225,000 over three years.

UPDATE September 29, 2021: The Daniels Foundation’s Capital Grants program has been cancelled for the 2021-2022 grant cycle. Funding otherwise available for Capital Grants will be re-allocated for support of COVID-19 related emergency program grants. It is the current intention of the Foundation to renew the Capital Grants program for the 2022-2023 grant year, and a final decision to renew the Capital Grants program will be made in June of 2022. If renewed the 2022-2023 Capital Grant cycle deadline will be September 30, 2022 for consideration at the December 2022 meeting.

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 deadline for submission is September 30th for consideration at the December meeting of the board each year.

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