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Danoff Family Private Charitable Foundation Trust

Annual Giving
$8.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7-8 million
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: By trustee discretion
  • Grant Range: Very large grants ($7-8M annually across 1-3 recipients)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts/New England

Contact Details

Mailing Address: C/O Goldman Sachs Ayco, PO Box 15201, Albany, NY 12212-5201
Phone: (518) 640-5000
Website: None
Email: Not available
Note: Foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Danoff Family Private Charitable Foundation Trust is a substantial private foundation established in 2012 with current assets of approximately $145 million and annual giving of $7-8 million. Led by William A. Danoff (Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Fidelity Investments managing the $94B Contrafund) and Ami T. (Kuan) Danoff (Co-founder and CFO of the Women's Foundation of Boston), the foundation operates as a closed giving vehicle that makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation has grown dramatically from $3.1 million in assets in 2011 to its current size, funded through contributions, capital gains, and investment income.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes 1-3 very large grants annually (typically $7-8 million total), primarily channeled through Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund for ultimate distribution to operating charities.

Priority Areas

Based on documented Danoff family philanthropy:

  • Higher Education: Harvard University (multiple schools and programs), Brown University (residence halls and life sciences laboratories)
  • Life Sciences and Medical Research: Strong preference stated - "life sciences offer the greatest opportunity to create the most significant and positive impact"
  • Women's Empowerment: Women's Foundation of Boston and related initiatives
  • Jewish Community Organizations: Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, Harvard Hillel
  • Independent Schools: Middlesex School and other preparatory institutions
  • Scientific Innovation: Harvard Quantum Initiative in Science and Engineering

What They Don't Fund

The foundation formally states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Governance and Leadership

William A. Danoff (Co-Trustee): Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Fidelity Investments, managing the Fidelity Contrafund with over $94 billion in assets. Harvard BA 1982, Wharton MBA 1986. Resides in Weston, Massachusetts.

Ami T. (Kuan) Danoff (Co-Trustee): Co-founder and CFO of the Women's Foundation of Boston, former portfolio manager at Putnam Investments, founding partner of an NWSL soccer team. Resides in Weston, Massachusetts.

The foundation is administered by Goldman Sachs Ayco financial planning firm and operates with no paid staff or employees. Trustees receive no compensation.

Ami Danoff on their giving philosophy: "We're generally very low-key about our giving," though they have chosen to publicize some gifts to inspire others. William Danoff states: "Life is more meaningful when you share it, when you work together" and "We'd like to help where the help is needed."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states on its IRS Form 990-PF that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at trustee discretion to organizations with pre-existing relationships.

Decision Timeline

Grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application or review timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates by invitation only.

Application Success Factors

Given the closed nature of this foundation, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that have received support from the Danoffs share these characteristics:

  • Elite educational institutions with strong reputations in life sciences and research
  • Established relationships with the Danoff family through alumni connections or personal involvement
  • Life sciences focus - the Danoffs have explicitly stated this is where they see the greatest opportunity for impact
  • Geographic proximity to the Boston area where the trustees reside
  • Alignment with specific interests: women's empowerment (through Ami's work), Jewish community support, or scientific innovation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates entirely through trustee discretion
  • With only 1-3 grants per year totaling $7-8 million, individual grants are very large
  • Primary giving appears channeled through Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund for anonymity and flexibility
  • Focus on life sciences, elite higher education, and Boston-area institutions
  • The Danoffs prefer low-key giving but occasionally publicize gifts to inspire others
  • Foundation administration through Goldman Sachs Ayco indicates sophisticated wealth management approach
  • Unless your organization has a pre-existing relationship with the Danoff family or operates in their specific areas of interest (Harvard, Brown, life sciences, women's empowerment in Boston), this is not a viable funding prospect

References

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