← Back to US Funders Directory

The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $923,250 (2023)
  • Total Assets: ~$15.9 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 1-3 months (quarterly decisions)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $145,000 (median: $8,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Worcester, MA service area

Contact Details

Overview

The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation, Inc. is a family foundation incorporated in 1949 under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was founded by three brothers—Fred Harold Daniels, Dwight Clark Daniels, and Clarence White Daniels—who were sons of Fred Harris Daniels (1853-1913), a prominent Worcester engineer, corporate director, and co-founder of the Norton Company. The three brothers were well-educated engineers who spent their careers in major Worcester industrial companies and had considerable personal and philanthropic interests in the city's institutions.

The Foundation's mission is 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. With approximately $15.9 million in assets, the Foundation annually distributes approximately $1 million to the Worcester, MA service area, making about 56 grants per year. The founders legally restricted gifts to "primarily" the Worcester area, and the current Board maintains that 100% of giving should benefit Worcester.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Program and Operating Grants

  • Grant requests below $5,000 and at or above $5,000 follow separate application processes
  • Operating support covers ongoing expenses including operations, marketing, fundraising, and leadership development
  • Program support addresses one-time costs like equipment upgrades or capacity development
  • Deadlines: Last day of January, April, July, and October for quarterly decisions

2. Investing in Girls Strategic Grants

  • Up to $40,000 annually
  • Focus: Programs serving girls ages 10-14 (identified as the most under-resourced population in the Worcester service area)
  • Applicants must be members of the Investing in Girls Alliance
  • Applications must demonstrate evidence-based planning and organizational capability
  • Deadlines: October 31 (summer programs) and January 31 (school year programming)

3. Capital Grants

  • For building construction or building improvements only
  • Payments typically spread over three years
  • Reviewed once annually at December board meeting
  • Application cycle opens January 1st and closes April 1st

Priority Areas

  • Programs that help people become more self-reliant in their lives and communities
  • Sustainable, creative solutions to societal challenges
  • Programs targeting girls ages 10-14 (strategic priority since 2004)
  • Organizations serving the Worcester, MA service area

What They Don't Fund

  • Program operations or program improvements through Capital Grants (construction/building improvements only)
  • Organizations that cannot demonstrate 100% of funds will be applied to Worcester, MA service area
  • More than one grant per organization per year
  • Organizations outside the Worcester service area (applications closer to Worcester City are considered more carefully)

Governance and Leadership

President

  • Fred H. Daniels II

Board of Directors/Trustees

  • Wendy Andrews
  • Dwight C. Blake Jr.
  • Barre Blake Hardy
  • Emily Daignault-Salvaggio
  • Fred H. Daniels II
  • Ashley Gabrenas
  • Carlos La Hoz Daniels
  • Sarah Daniels Morse
  • James Morse
  • David A. Nicholson (Vice-President)
  • William O. Pettit III
  • Laura Rutkiewizc

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Visit www.danielsfoundation.org/programs
  2. Click the "APPLY NOW" button
  3. You will be directed to an external grants management portal
  4. Create a user profile (one-time setup; your grant history will be accessible)
  5. Submit and manage your grant application through the portal

Note: Paper applications are no longer accepted.

Decision Timeline

  • Program and Operating Grants: Decisions made at quarterly board meetings following the January, April, July, and October deadlines (approximately 1-3 months from submission)
  • Capital Grants: Applications due September 30th (or April 1st for 2025 cycle); decisions made in December (2-3 month wait)
  • Investing in Girls Strategic Grants: Decisions follow the October 31 and January 31 deadlines

Grant Payment Schedule

  • Capital grant payments are typically spread over three years
  • Payment schedules are at the discretion of the Foundation

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations may apply as often as they like
  • However, only one grant per organization per year will be awarded
  • Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to review their application and resubmit with improvements
  • The Foundation's guidance: "Always forward; never give up."

Application Success Factors

Why Applications May Not Be Funded

According to the Foundation's FAQ:

  • Other more compelling grants may have merited available funding
  • Worcester-area impact may not have been sufficient
  • The application may suggest the organization is not stable enough or capable of sustainability

What Makes Strong Applications

Based on the Foundation's guidance:

  • Clear Worcester Focus: 100% of received funds must be applied to the Worcester, MA service area; applications from within Worcester City are all eligible, and proximity to Worcester increases likelihood of consideration
  • Organizational Stability: Demonstrate that your organization is stable and capable of sustainability
  • Evidence-Based Planning: Particularly for Investing in Girls Strategic Grants, applications must show evidence-based planning and organizational capability
  • Alignment with Self-Reliance Mission: Programs should help people become more self-reliant in their lives and communities

Recently Funded Organizations (2023)

  • United Way of Central Massachusetts Inc - $145,000 (General Support)
  • YMCA of Central Massachusetts - $124,000 (General Support)
  • African Community Education Program - $75,000 (General Support)
  • Worcester State University - $75,000 (General Support)
  • Nativity School of Worcester Inc - $64,000 (Unrestricted General Support)
  • Abby Kelley Foster House Inc - General Support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Requirement is Absolute: 100% of funds must benefit the Worcester, MA service area—this is non-negotiable. Applications from within Worcester City receive priority consideration.

  • One Grant Per Year Rule: Plan your funding strategy carefully, as organizations can only receive one grant annually regardless of how many applications they submit.

  • Quarterly Deadlines Matter: Submit by the last day of January, April, July, or October for program/operating grants to be considered at the next quarterly meeting.

  • Investing in Girls is Strategic Priority: If your organization serves girls ages 10-14, consider joining the Investing in Girls Alliance to access up to $40,000 in strategic funding.

  • Demonstrate Sustainability: Applications that suggest organizational instability are likely to be denied—emphasize your organization's capability and long-term viability.

  • Persistence is Encouraged: The Foundation explicitly advises unsuccessful applicants to improve their applications and resubmit: "Always forward; never give up."

  • Online Applications Only: Ensure you are set up in their grants management portal well before deadlines—paper applications are not accepted.

References

Accessed December 2025

← Back to US Funders Directory