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Dunn Family Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.5M

Dunn Family Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$2.9 million (2023: $2,931,126)
  • Total Assets: $39.5 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $200 - $500,000 (typical: $5,000 - $50,000)
  • Number of Grants: 179 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Global (Massachusetts, California, DC primary; international including Haiti, Nepal, Kenya, Uganda)
  • Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Overview

The Dunn Family Charitable Foundation (DFCF) was formed in 1993 as a Massachusetts Charitable Trust by Kelly and Ray Dunn "to share from their financial abundance with persons and communities in need." The foundation reflects the values and interests of the founders and their children. Since its establishment, DFCF has distributed over $30 million in grants.

DFCF is primarily focused on poverty alleviation and social justice globally, supporting organizations that work directly to alleviate poverty and positively impact healthcare, education, environment, and employment opportunities. The foundation also aims to provide information and opportunities for greater awareness of the realities of poverty and injustice and to inspire service.

The foundation has committed to investing its endowment pursuant to a sustainable investment strategy since 2019 and operates DF Impact Capital as a sister organization for high-impact investing activities. DFCF also collaborates with Blue Sky Social Justice Fund and participates in pooled funding initiatives including support for international climate justice regrantors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Standard Grants: $5,000 - $50,000 (most common range)
  • Larger Grants/Multi-Year Commitments: Up to $500,000
  • Small Grants: From $200
  • All grants are classified as unrestricted gifts

Priority Areas

DFCF identifies six key focus areas:

  1. Refugees, Displaced Peoples, and Statelessness - Supporting organizations working on behalf of stateless populations and displaced communities
  2. Migration and Root Causes - Addressing underlying factors driving migration
  3. Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking - Combating contemporary forms of slavery
  4. Sustainable Agriculture, Small Farmers, and Food Security - Supporting food systems and agricultural initiatives
  5. Climate Justice - Environmental initiatives with a justice lens
  6. Haiti - Specific focus on livelihoods, job creation, financial inclusion, energy access, and sustainable agriculture in Haiti

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals
  • Only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations
  • Organizations not aligned with poverty alleviation and social justice focus areas are unlikely to receive support

Governance and Leadership

Trustees and Officers (2023)

  • William J. Chase - Trustee/Controller ($135,000 compensation)
  • Raymond J. Dunn IV (Jay) - Executive Director ($90,000 compensation)
  • Margaret Dunn - Trustee ($12,474 compensation) - Also serves as trustee of DF Impact Capital, focusing on human rights, climate justice, and supporting refugees
  • Louise Dunn III - Trustee
  • Martin Dunn - Trustee - Founder of Blue Sky Social Justice Fund and Dunn Development Corp.
  • Peter Dunn - Trustee

Executive Director Background

Jay Dunn has over 30 years of experience in international finance, primarily in private equity and venture capital investments. He is a Founding Managing Director of GGE Investments LLC, a clean technology investment and development company. He holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies and International Economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS and a B.A. in International Politics and Economics from Middlebury College. He also serves on multiple nonprofit boards operating throughout Latin America and Africa.

Family Foundation History

The foundation was established by Kelly and Ray Dunn, with the goals reflecting the values and interests of the founders and their children who now serve as trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

DFCF has explicitly stated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Organizations must be identified and invited by the foundation to apply for funding.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on research, the following approaches may help organizations become known to DFCF:

  1. Network Connections: The Dunn family trustees are actively involved in multiple philanthropic networks including:

    • Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN)
    • Edge Funders Alliance
    • Global Impact Investing Network
    • Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion
    • Nationality for All initiative

  2. Pooled Fund Participation: DFCF participates in collaborative funding initiatives. Organizations funded through pooled funds supported by DFCF may come to their attention. For example, they are among 30+ supporters of a pooled fund focused on food systems, small farmers, and climate change administered through Global Greengrants Fund.

  3. Sector Leadership: The foundation supports leading organizations in their focus areas. In 2023, top recipients included:

    • Stichting Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (three grants totaling $860,000)
    • The Daily Source Ltd ($168,000)
    • Global Greengrants Fund Inc ($100,000)

  4. Haiti Focus: Organizations working specifically in Haiti on livelihoods, job creation, financial inclusion, energy access, and sustainable agriculture align with a specific geographic priority.

  5. Contact Form: While they do not accept unsolicited applications, the foundation maintains a contact form on their website (dunnfcf.org/contact) that could be used for general inquiries.

Decision Timeline

Information on decision timelines is not publicly available. The foundation files its Form 990 annually, with the most recent filing in November 2024 covering 2023 activities.

Success Rates

  • 179 grants awarded in 2023
  • 145 grants awarded in 2022
  • 149 grants awarded in 2021
  • 140 grants awarded in 2020

The consistent increase in grants suggests growing activity, though success rate percentages are not applicable as unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Reapplication Policy

As the foundation works with preselected organizations, reapplication policies for declined proposals are not applicable.

Application Success Factors

Given that DFCF does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations hoping to be selected should consider:

  1. Alignment with Core Mission: The foundation is "primarily focused on poverty alleviation and social justice globally" - this is their central criterion

  2. Direct Impact Work: They support organizations that "work directly to alleviate poverty and positively impact healthcare, education, environment, and employment opportunities"

  3. Awareness and Service: Organizations that "provide information and opportunities for greater awareness of the realities of poverty and injustice and to inspire service" align with their mission

  4. Geographic Alignment: Primary funding goes to organizations working in:

    • Massachusetts, California, and DC (domestic)
    • Haiti (specific priority)
    • Nepal, Kenya, Uganda, and other developing nations (international)

  5. Collaborative Approach: The foundation actively collaborates with other donors and impact investors. Organizations that participate in collaborative funding networks may be more visible

  6. Track Record: Major grantees tend to be established organizations with demonstrated impact in their focus areas

  7. Unrestricted Funding Model: All 2023 grants were classified as unrestricted, suggesting the foundation trusts grantees to direct funds where most needed

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application: DFCF explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications - they fund only preselected organizations
  • Family Values Driven: The foundation reflects the values and interests of founders Kelly and Ray Dunn and their children who serve as trustees
  • Global Social Justice Focus: Primary emphasis on poverty alleviation and social justice, with specific programs around statelessness, migration, modern slavery, sustainable agriculture, climate justice, and Haiti
  • Significant Capacity: With $39.5M in assets and ~$2.9M annual giving, DFCF has capacity for substantial grants up to $500,000 for multi-year commitments
  • Network Approach: DFCF participates in collaborative philanthropic networks - building presence in these networks may increase visibility
  • Impact Investing Integration: The foundation operates DF Impact Capital alongside grantmaking, showing commitment to catalytic capital approaches
  • Long-Term Relationships: With 30+ years of grantmaking history and consistent grant counts year-over-year, DFCF appears to maintain long-term relationships with grantees

References

Research conducted December 2025

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