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.

Not for profit organizations recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) and maintain operations in the Worcester service area are invited to apply for program and operating grants. Grants can support ongoing operations, special projects, or general improvements to program effectiveness or operational efficiency of the organization. Grants submitted for less than $5,000 use an application which is slightly less rigorous; grants submitted for $5,000 or more will be required to submit additional narrative and documentation.

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 MARCH 20, 2020: The Daniels Foundation’s ability to fund Capital Grants in the current grant cycle will be limited due to a Coronavirus related decrease in funds available. Grant applicants are encouraged to finish and submit applications for the current cycle, and in early October the Foundation will provide a notice to all applicants indicating whether funding for the current cycle will be available. If it is not available then any application will be held until such time as funds are available, if that is the desire of the applicant.

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.