George Edward Durell Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,291,000 (2023)
Total Assets: $29,966,885
Grant Range: $1,000 - $500,000
Number of Grants: 29 (2023)
Geographic Focus: Primarily Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia
Application Method: Invitation only (no unsolicited applications accepted)

Contact Details

Address: Westerville, OH
EIN: 31-1111800

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information for grant applications as they only contribute to preselected organizations.

Overview

The George Edward Durell Foundation is a private foundation established in 1985 in Virginia. The foundation was created by George Edward Durell Sr., who was the owner and chairman of Union Fork and Hoe Company of Columbus, Ohio. With assets approaching $30 million, the foundation distributes approximately $1.3 million annually in grants. The foundation's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with a particular emphasis on Christian schools and organizations. The foundation operates primarily in Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia, though it has also supported organizations in other states including California, Florida, and major cities like Atlanta, Columbus, and Orlando.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program focused on supporting preselected charitable organizations. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $500,000, with awards tailored to the specific needs and relationships with beneficiary organizations.

Priority Areas

Education: Primary focus area, particularly Christian schools and educational institutions
Christian Organizations: Faith-based organizations and ministries
Human Services: Organizations providing community services
Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Support for other grantmaking and volunteer organizations

What They Don't Fund

Individual grants: No grants to individuals
Unsolicited applications: Only contributes to preselected organizations
Organizations outside their geographic focus: Primarily supports organizations in Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia, with limited exceptions

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees with family connections to the founder:

David A. Durell - Chairman
Anne M. Durell - Trustee
James A. Landaker - Secretary/Treasurer

The foundation maintains a family foundation structure, continuing the philanthropic legacy of George Edward Durell Sr., who built his wealth through the Union Fork and Hoe Company manufacturing business in Columbus, Ohio.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The George Edward Durell Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Organizations cannot submit applications or letters of inquiry. The foundation proactively identifies and selects organizations to support based on trustee knowledge and existing relationships.

Grant Award History

The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity:

2023: 29 awards
2022: 36 awards
2021: 41 awards

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached with unsolicited proposals or applications
Preselected beneficiaries only: All grants go to organizations already known to and selected by the trustees
Family foundation structure: Decisions are made by family trustees, emphasizing personal relationships and alignment with founder's values
Christian focus: Strong preference for Christian educational institutions and faith-based organizations
Geographic concentration: Primarily supports Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia, though not exclusively
Wide grant range: Awards from $1,000 to $500,000 suggest flexible funding based on organizational needs and relationships
Not a viable prospect for most organizations: Unless you have a direct connection to the Durell family or trustees, this foundation is not accessible for funding

References

Information accessed December 2024