Ronald L McDaniel Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,208,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies widely (average $110,621 per grant)
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (primarily Illinois, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New York, and South Carolina)

Contact Details

Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation

• Website: https://rlm-foundation.org/
• Address: P.O. Box 9746, Naperville, IL 60567-9746
• Phone: 773-569-3917
• Email: info@rlm-foundation.org

Overview

The Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation was established in 1995 by Ronald L. McDaniel, a prominent figure in the railroad supply industry who passed away in June 2022 at age 83. With assets totaling approximately $22.6 million, the foundation distributed $3.2 million across 29 grants in 2023. The foundation's mission is to support children by funding direct service programs with primary interests including education, housing, medical care, and basic needs that enable children to reach their optimal potential. The foundation operates under the leadership of a volunteer board including President Barbara Gulick, with Ronald McDaniel's daughters Julia Sampieri (Secretary) and Brenda Jacobs (Treasurer) serving as board members. A notable recent award includes a three-year, $900,000 grant to the DuPage Children's Museum in January 2025, honoring McDaniel's legacy as a longtime board member who received the museum's "Great Friend to Kids Award" in 2019.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private grantmaking organization without distinct named programs. Grant sizes vary considerably, with an average award of approximately $110,621. Recent grants have ranged from smaller amounts to substantial multi-year commitments:

• Major Multi-Year Grants: Such as the $900,000 three-year grant to DuPage Children's Museum (2025)
• Standard Grants: Average around $110,621 based on 2023 distribution patterns

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses its grantmaking on organizations serving children in the following areas:

• Education and Enrichment: Higher education, children and youth educational programs, and learning opportunities
• Whole-Child Health: Medical services, healthcare access, and wellness programs for children
• Basic Needs: Housing support, shelter services, and essential needs enabling children to thrive
• Human Services: Family services, child welfare programs, and social services
• Youth Development: YMCA programs and other youth-serving organizations

Geographic priorities include Chicagoland (particularly DuPage County and surrounding communities), Arizona, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, and New York.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funds. They only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations identified through their board and staff relationships.

Governance and Leadership

The Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation operates with an all-volunteer board of directors who serve without compensation:

• Barbara Gulick - President
• Laura Alvarado - Vice President
• Julia Sampieri - Secretary (daughter of founder Ronald L. McDaniel)
• Brenda Jacobs - Treasurer (daughter of founder Ronald L. McDaniel)
• Additional Directors - Several volunteer board members

Staff:

• Julia Callahan - Program Officer: Manages the foundation's portfolio of grantees in Chicagoland, Arizona, and South Carolina, focusing on children's programs across basic needs, whole-child health, and education and enrichment.

According to Julia Callahan, the foundation's work reflects Ronald McDaniel's commitment to children: "The Foundation was established in 1995 by Ronald L. McDaniel, and the Foundation's mission is to support children by funding direct service programs, with primary interests including education, housing, medical, and basic needs."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis through relationships developed by the foundation's board members and program officer.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding their approach may help organizations position themselves:

Board Connections: With Ronald McDaniel having served on the DuPage Children's Museum board for over a decade (2010-2022), the foundation has historically supported organizations where board members have direct involvement. Board members Julia Sampieri and Brenda Jacobs, as well as President Barbara Gulick and Program Officer Julia Callahan, are the primary relationship builders.

Geographic Presence: Organizations with a strong presence in DuPage County and the broader Chicagoland area, as well as Arizona and South Carolina, appear to be priorities. The foundation also funds select organizations in Florida, Indiana, Maryland, and New York.

Direct Service Model: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations providing direct service to children rather than intermediary or advocacy organizations. Programs should demonstrate clear, measurable impact on children's education, health, or basic needs.

Portfolio Management: Program Officer Julia Callahan manages the foundation's grantee relationships in Chicagoland, Arizona, and South Carolina. Organizations in these regions working on children's programs may benefit from professional networking in the philanthropy and social services sectors where foundation staff may be present.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation making grants to preselected organizations, the foundation likely operates on its own internal schedule rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. However, the DuPage Children's Museum example demonstrates that the foundation makes multi-year commitments to organizations within its portfolio.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only model, these insights are drawn from their stated priorities and recent funding patterns:

1. Direct Service to Children: The foundation's mission explicitly emphasizes "direct service programs" for children. Organizations should be able to demonstrate hands-on programming rather than indirect support or advocacy.

2. Holistic Child Development: The foundation's stated interests in "education, housing, medical, and basic needs enabling children to reach their optimal potential" suggest they value comprehensive approaches addressing multiple dimensions of child wellbeing.

3. Multi-Year Impact: The three-year, $900,000 grant to DuPage Children's Museum indicates the foundation is willing to make substantial, sustained commitments to organizations within their portfolio. This suggests they value long-term relationships over one-time grants.

4. Geographic Alignment: While multi-state, the foundation has clear geographic priorities including DuPage County/Chicagoland, Arizona, and South Carolina. Organizations in these areas appear more likely to be within their funding consideration.

5. Established Organizations: With average grants around $110,000 and major grants reaching $900,000, the foundation appears to fund established organizations with proven track records rather than startup initiatives.

6. Board Member Involvement: Ronald McDaniel's decade-long involvement with DuPage Children's Museum before making a major grant suggests that board member engagement and personal commitment to organizations influences funding decisions.

7. Measurable Outcomes: As a foundation focused on enabling children to "reach their optimal potential," they likely seek organizations with clear metrics and demonstrated outcomes in education, health, or basic needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-Only Model: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; focus on relationship-building and board connections rather than formal proposals
• Average Grant Size: With 29 grants totaling $3.2 million in 2023, the average award is approximately $110,000, though grants range from smaller amounts to multi-year commitments exceeding $900,000
• Direct Service Focus: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations providing direct services to children in education, health, housing, and basic needs
• Geographic Priorities: Strongest presence in DuPage County/Chicagoland, Arizona, and South Carolina, with additional funding in Florida, Indiana, Maryland, and New York
• Family Leadership: As a family foundation with the founder's daughters serving as Secretary and Treasurer, personal connections and long-term relationships appear central to funding decisions
• Multi-Year Commitments: Recent major grants demonstrate willingness to make substantial, sustained investments in organizations within their portfolio
• Portfolio Approach: Program Officer Julia Callahan manages an active portfolio of grantees, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than transactional one-time grants

References

1. Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation Official Website. https://rlm-foundation.org/ (Accessed March 2026)
2. CauseIQ. "Ronald L McDaniel Foundation | Naperville, IL." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ronald-l-mcdaniel-foundation,364012153/ (Accessed March 2026)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Ronald L Mcdaniel Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364012153 (Accessed March 2026)
4. Instrumentl. "Ronald L Mcdaniel Foundation | Willowbrook, IL | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ronald-l-mcdaniel-foundation (Accessed March 2026)
5. Grantable. "RONALD L MCDANIEL FOUNDATION | Foundation Profile & Grants." https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/ronald-l-mcdaniel-foundation-us-foundation-364012153 (Accessed March 2026)
6. Naperville Patch. "$900K Grant Honors Memory Of DuPage Children's Museum Board Member." January 2025. https://patch.com/illinois/naperville/900k-grant-honors-memory-dupage-childrens-museum-board-member (Accessed March 2026)
7. Chicago Tribune. "DuPage Children's Museum awarded $900k grant by former longtime board member's foundation." January 16, 2025. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/16/dupage-childrens-museum-naperville-grant-funding/ (Accessed March 2026)
8. NCTV17. "DuPage Children's Museum receives $900K grant honoring former board member." January 2025. https://www.nctv17.org/news/dupage-childrens-museum-receives-900k-grant-honoring-former-board-member/ (Accessed March 2026)
9. Railway Age. "Ronald L. McDaniel, 83." 2022. https://www.railwayage.com/news/ronald-l-mcdaniel-83/ (Accessed March 2026)
10. LinkedIn. "Julia Callahan - Philanthropy & Grantmaking Professional | Program Officer at Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation." https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliadamon/ (Accessed March 2026)
11. Candid (Foundation Directory Online). "Ronald L Mcdaniel Foundation | Foundation Directory." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=MCDA011 (Accessed March 2026)