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Daro Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $146,850 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (pre-selected recipients)
  • Grant Range: $100 - $10,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States (nationwide)

Contact Details

  • EIN: 136210464
  • Location: Menlo Park, CA
  • Phone: Not publicly listed
  • Email: Not publicly listed
  • Website: No public website
  • Application Portal: None - invitation only

Overview

The Daro Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established as a 501(c)(3) organization based in Menlo Park, California. With assets of approximately $14.96 million as of 2024, the foundation has significantly increased its grantmaking activity in recent years, awarding $146,850 across 30 grants in 2023 compared to just 2 awards in 2020 and 2021. The foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis, making contributions to preselected charitable organizations across diverse sectors including health, scientific research, education, arts, and human services. The foundation demonstrates a commitment to supporting both established institutions and smaller innovative organizations across the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes discretionary awards ranging from:

  • Small grants: $100 - $2,000 (supporting diverse causes)
  • Medium grants: $5,000 (common award amount)
  • Larger grants: $10,000 (for priority organizations)

Priority Areas

Based on recent giving patterns:

  • Health research and medical conditions (including autism research)
  • Children's welfare and youth development
  • Arts and culture (particularly music education)
  • Scientific and consciousness research
  • Digital preservation and access
  • Human services and community support
  • Educational initiatives

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation making pre-selected grants:

  • Unsolicited applications
  • Individuals
  • For-profit organizations
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities

Governance and Leadership

Board Officers:

  • Robert E. Filman - President
  • Rebecca Macdonald - Secretary
  • Elisa A. Filman - Treasurer

The foundation operates with a small board structure typical of family foundations, maintaining direct control over grantmaking decisions and recipient selection.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Daro Foundation Inc operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis, making contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited grant proposals or applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, organizations that align with their interest areas and have established reputations in health research, children's welfare, arts education, or scientific research may be identified through:

  • Board members' professional and personal networks
  • Recommendations from current grant recipients
  • Recognition in their fields of interest
  • Established track records in priority areas

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the foundation's discretion to pre-selected recipients.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Since the Daro Foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors don't apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns reveals:

Organizations Most Likely to Receive Support:

  • Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits with clear missions
  • Organizations addressing autism research, children's welfare, or music education
  • Both large institutions (Save the Children) and smaller specialized groups (Emerging Sciences Foundation)
  • Organizations with national or regional impact
  • Groups that align with multiple foundation interest areas

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples:

  • Autism Research Institute ($10,000) - medical research focus
  • The Schubert Club of Fairfield County ($10,000) - music education
  • Save the Children ($5,000) - children's welfare
  • The Emerging Sciences Foundation ($2,000) - consciousness research
  • Internet Archive ($100) - digital preservation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Daro Foundation is not accessible through traditional grant applications - relationship building is essential
  • Focus areas span health, education, arts, and human services with particular emphasis on autism research and music education
  • Grant sizes are modest but consistent, ranging from $100 to $10,000
  • The foundation has dramatically increased its grantmaking activity (from 2 grants in 2021 to 30 in 2023)
  • Geographic diversity in funding suggests no strict regional limitations
  • Small, innovative organizations receive support alongside established institutions
  • Being connected to current grant recipients or board members may be the only path to consideration

References

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