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Diana Davis Spencer Foundation

Annual Giving
$52.9M
Grant Range
$100K - $20.0M

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Diana Davis Spencer Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $52,863,189 (2023)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $20,000,000
  • Typical Grant Range: $100,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily District of Columbia, Virginia, and New York; some national programmes
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 118, Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone: (301) 961-4000

Website: https://ddsfoundation.org/

Note: The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. Organisations wishing to be invited to submit an application should contact the foundation with their contact information and a brief project description.

Overview

The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation was established in 2007 to continue the multi-generational philanthropic legacy of the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation (established 1962) and the Kathryn W. Davis Foundation (established 2004). With assets of $1.35 billion and annual giving of $52.9 million (2023), the foundation is one of the most significant conservative philanthropic institutions in the United States. Led by Executive Chairman Diana Davis Spencer (daughter of investment banker and former U.S. Ambassador Shelby Cullom Davis) and CEO Abby Spencer Moffat (Diana's daughter), the foundation espouses freedom and individual responsibility. Its mission is to promote national security, entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and free enterprise while enhancing quality of life by supporting the arts, education, global understanding, health advancements, and environmental preservation. The foundation made 154 grants in 2023, including major multi-million dollar investments in conservative think tanks, educational institutions, and national security initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation organises its grantmaking around five core programme areas:

1. Founding Values ($100,000 - $20,000,000) Supports conservative advocacy and research organisations that promote limited government, free enterprise, and individual responsibility. Major recipients include:

  • Heritage Foundation: $25 million commitment (2023-2027), including $26 million in 2013 to support the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies
  • Federalist Society: $12 million+ since 2016, including a historic $10 million grant in 2015

2. Education ($100,000 - $5,000,000+) Focuses on low-performing schools in high-poverty areas and innovative educational approaches. Supports:

  • K-12 Innovation: KIPP, NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), City Year, Teach for America, After-School All-Stars, AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation
  • Higher Education: Hillsdale College ($5 million in 2023)
  • Special Populations: Chapel Haven and Maplebrook schools (learning challenges)
  • Veteran Education: Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Warrior-Scholar Project (including Diana Davis Spencer Scholars programme for graduate/professional school)

3. National Security ($100,000 - $5,000,000+) One of few philanthropies focused on bolstering U.S. national security, military, and intelligence communities. Supports graduate national security programmes and defence leadership development.

4. Entrepreneurship ($100,000 - $1,000,000) Instils entrepreneurial mindset in youth through business competitions, small business assistance, and turning creative ideas into ventures.

5. Public Policy ($100,000 - $5,000,000) Supports anti-regulation and limited government initiatives based on belief that excessive regulation prevents entrepreneurial growth.

Priority Areas

  • Conservative think tanks and policy institutes
  • Educational choice and innovation, particularly in underserved communities
  • National security and defence leadership development
  • Entrepreneurship education for youth
  • Free enterprise and limited government advocacy
  • Veterans' transition to higher education
  • Organisations with scalable, evidence-based models

What They Don't Fund

  • Liberal or progressive policy organisations
  • General operating support for organisations outside their ideological alignment
  • Arts and culture (minimal despite mission statement mention)
  • International programmes (focus is domestic with national security angle)
  • Unsolicited proposals from organisations unknown to the foundation

Governance and Leadership

Diana Davis Spencer, Executive Chairman Journalist and activist who co-leads the foundation's grant-making efforts. Daughter of Shelby Cullom Davis (investment banker, author, and longest-serving U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland) and Kathryn Wasserman Davis (author, community leader, and Russian affairs specialist). Diana states: "We support organizations that forward our nation's founding principles and hope that, one by one, it will make a difference." She quotes Frederick Douglass: "The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous."

Abby Spencer Moffat, President and CEO Diana's daughter who oversees daily operations. Former business leader and entrepreneur who serves on multiple boards including Heritage Foundation (trustee) and Media Research Centre (board member). On the foundation's approach, Moffat explains: "We don't just write a check...And when we invest in you, that's what we are: partners. We lock arms with our grantees to help them grow and develop. The resources we provide include human resource support, development, marketing and communications and strategy. In that way, we are not just investing in innovative ideas or dynamic leaders, we are serving as full-service consultants incubating successful models."

Philanthropic Philosophy Both leaders emphasise an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy. Spencer says: "I realize that each of us can make a difference, and as a philanthropist I like to be entrepreneurial and embrace new opportunities. We support organizations that can teach kids to think out of the box, to really achieve and know that they can own their future."

Moffat adds: "We are always looking for entrepreneurs, people with a variety of skill sets and a vision for success...We truly believe we only grow if we live outside of our comfort zone...We dream big. And we believe the impossible can be done."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions only to preselected charitable organisations.

Limited Contact Option: Organisations wishing to be invited to submit an application may contact the foundation with their contact information and a brief description of the project they wish to fund. However, the foundation explicitly states that "general inquiries for grant applications are not accepted."

Application Method: When invited, organisations submit through the foundation's online application portal.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation selects grantees through trustee discretion and existing networks. Based on the leadership structure and grant patterns, organisations may increase visibility through:

1. Conservative Network Connections

  • Heritage Foundation events and programmes (Abby Spencer Moffat is a trustee)
  • Federalist Society events
  • Media Research Centre connections (Abby Spencer Moffat is a board member)
  • American Council of Trustees and Alumni network

2. Demonstrated Track Record The foundation favours organisations with proven results. CEO Abby Spencer Moffat states: "We are always looking for entrepreneurs, people with a variety of skill sets and a vision for success." They support "organizations that pioneer innovative new approaches to educational challenges" with evidence-based solutions.

3. Ideological Alignment Organisations must align with the foundation's commitment to "freedom and individual responsibility," limited government, free enterprise, and American founding values. The foundation believes "only an educated populace, instilled with America's founding values and unshackled from overbearing government institutions, can secure the full blessings of liberty."

4. Scalability and Entrepreneurial Vision Moffat explains: "We help them think through what that entails, test their programs and analyze opportunities for growth." Organisations should demonstrate potential for scaling impact.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, decision timelines vary based on the foundation's proactive identification of organisations and strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation made 154 grants in 2023 from its proactive selection process.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Existing grantees appear to receive ongoing multi-year support (e.g., Heritage Foundation's $25 million over five years).

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, success depends on alignment with foundation priorities and being identified through their networks rather than a competitive application process. However, organisations invited to apply should emphasise:

1. Entrepreneurial Leadership and Vision CEO Abby Spencer Moffat states: "We are always looking for entrepreneurs, people with a variety of skill sets and a vision for success." The foundation values leaders who "think out of the box" and demonstrate innovative approaches. As Moffat notes: "We bring an entrepreneurial mindset to everything we do...We dream big. And we believe the impossible can be done."

2. Partnership Mindset The foundation seeks collaborative relationships, not transactional funding. Moffat explains: "We don't just write a check...we are partners. We lock arms with our grantees to help them grow and develop." Organisations should be open to receiving "human resource support, development, marketing and communications and strategy" as "full-service consultants incubating successful models."

3. Alignment with American Founding Values Diana Davis Spencer emphasises: "We support organizations that forward our nation's founding principles." Use language around freedom, individual responsibility, limited government, free enterprise, and self-reliance. The foundation believes in "providing people with tools to take charge of their own lives."

4. Evidence-Based, Scalable Solutions The foundation supports "organizations that pioneer innovative new approaches to educational challenges" and helps grantees "think through what that entails, test their programs and analyze opportunities for growth." Demonstrate measurable outcomes and potential for expansion.

5. Service to Underserved Communities Despite conservative ideology, the foundation prioritises "low-performing schools in high poverty areas" and programmes that create opportunity for disadvantaged populations. Show how your work empowers individuals in underserved communities.

6. National Security or Educational Focus As one of few philanthropies focused on national security, the foundation has deep expertise and commitment to this area. Educational programmes receive the most diverse funding across K-12, higher education, and specialised populations.

7. Long-Term Vision Recent grants show multi-year commitments (Heritage Foundation: $25 million over five years). Organisations should articulate long-term impact and sustainability plans.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Hillsdale College: $5 million (2023) for higher education initiatives aligned with classical liberal education
  • Heritage Foundation: $25 million commitment (2023-2027)
  • Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Significant grant (2023) for National Centre for Family and Children (substance abuse treatment)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Being identified through conservative networks (Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, etc.) or existing grantee referrals is essential.

  • Partnership over transactions: The foundation provides comprehensive support beyond funding, including human resources, development, marketing, and strategy consulting. Organisations must be open to deep collaboration.

  • Ideological alignment is non-negotiable: All grants support conservative values of limited government, free enterprise, individual responsibility, and American founding principles. Progressive organisations will not be considered.

  • Entrepreneurial leadership matters most: CEO Abby Spencer Moffat consistently emphasises seeking "entrepreneurs with vision." Demonstrate innovative thinking, calculated risk-taking, and scalability potential.

  • Multi-million dollar capacity: With typical grants ranging $100,000-$1 million and some exceeding $5-20 million, this foundation funds significant initiatives. Think big—they appreciate ambitious visions.

  • National security is a unique niche: As one of few philanthropies in this space, organisations working on defence, intelligence, or military-related education have a distinctive opportunity if they align with the foundation's values.

  • Long-term relationships: Grant patterns show sustained, growing support for aligned organisations (e.g., Federalist Society, Heritage Foundation). Initial grants can lead to multi-year, multi-million dollar partnerships.

References

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