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.

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. Funding provided for the June and September 2020 grant cycles could not be used for general operations or services not related to the provision of basic needs.

At the June 2021 meeting the Board of the Daniels Foundation agreed that the Foundation will continue to accept only COVID-19 related grant applications for the summer cycle.

However, these grant applications can now be submitted for ANY COVID-19 related need, including but no longer limited to BASIC NEEDS.

We are continuing to allow organizations to apply which have already received COVID related funds.

We are waiving our rule of only one grant per year. Organizations that have already received funds from the Foundation in the last twelve months are welcome to apply.

The application cycle for grants to be awarded at the September 2021 meeting will close on July 31, 2021.”

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 MAY 16, 2021: The Daniels Foundation’s Capital Grants program has been cancelled for the 2021 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 grant year, and a final decision to renew the Capital Grants program will be made in June of 2022. If renewed the 2022 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.