Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6-7 million
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Approximately 4 months from deadline to board decision
Grant Range: $2,500 - $250,000 (most grants $2,500 - $25,000)
Geographic Focus: Chicago region and Lowcountry of South Carolina
Application Cycle: Two deadlines per year (Spring and Fall)

Contact Details

Website: www.gddf.org

Phone: 312-977-2700

Chicago Office: 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2600, Chicago, Illinois 60601

Charleston Office: 1640 Meeting Street Rd, Suite 303, Charleston, SC 29405

Social Media: @gddonnelley (Facebook and Instagram)

Contact Form: Available on website for grant inquiries

Grantee Portal: https://gddf-portal.givingdata.com/

Overview

Founded in 1952 by Gaylord Donnelley, president and chairman of R.R. Donnelley and Sons printing company, the foundation was renamed the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation in 1984 to honor both founders. With assets exceeding $191 million, the foundation annually distributes $6-7 million in grants to support land conservation, artistic vitality, and regional collections. The foundation focuses exclusively on two geographic regions that held special meaning for the founders: the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Gaylord and Dorothy were avid outdoors lovers and lifelong supporters of the arts, and the foundation continues to honor their legacy through a trust-based philanthropy approach. The foundation currently awards between 300-400 grants annually (373 awards in 2023) and in 2024 provided nearly $6.2 million to 127 organizations. David Farren served as executive director from 2013 until retiring at the end of 2023. The board includes the founders' children and grandchildren alongside non-family members and staff, maintaining the founders' values and civic-mindedness.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Chicago Artistic Vitality

Amount: $2,500 - $13,500 annually
Focus: Multi-year general operating support for small, professional producing arts organizations of all disciplines and traditions with budgets under $1 million
Annual commitment: Approximately $1.7 million supporting 170+ organizations
Application: Contact foundation before applying; two annual deadlines
Special programs: Cash Reserve Challenge Grants ($10,000-$25,000) and technical assistance support

Lowcountry Artistic Vitality (South Carolina)

Amount: Up to $25,000 for general operations
Focus: Small arts organizations in the Lowcountry region
Coverage: Charleston, Beaufort, Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Marion, Williamsburg counties
Application: Contact foundation before applying; two annual deadlines

Chicago Land Conservation

Amount: Varies widely ($2,500 - $250,000; grants have reached $1 million)
Focus: Organizations protecting natural lands through policy, planning, advocacy, and capacity-building
Priorities: Protection and stewardship of natural and working lands; climate resiliency; advocacy; benefits to diverse communities throughout the region
Grant types: Both general operating and project grants

Lowcountry Land Conservation (South Carolina)

Amount: Varies widely
Focus: Regional land conservation efforts in the Lowcountry
Grant types: Both general operating and project grants

Broadening Narratives (Regional Collections)

Amount: Varies (recent awards: $100,000 to Mitchell Museum; awards of $20,000-$345,000 documented)
Focus: Increased public access to collections illuminating the unique culture, history, and heritage of the Chicago region or Lowcountry of South Carolina
Eligibility: Invitation only - not open to unsolicited applications
Approach: Supports diverse organizations beyond traditional museums and libraries, including community centers, culturally specific organizations, schools, and churches

Priority Areas

Artistic Vitality

Small professional arts organizations with budgets under $1 million
All artistic disciplines and traditions welcome
Organizations producing work in Cook County (Chicago) or the Lowcountry
Focus on sustaining artistry and strengthening operations
Technical assistance and capacity building alongside funding

Land Conservation

Climate resiliency and adaptation
Protection and stewardship of natural and working lands
Conservation advocacy and policy work
Benefits to diverse communities
Regional coordination and capacity-building within organizations

Broadening Narratives (Collections)

Expanding whose stories are told in regional collections
Diverse and underrepresented histories
Collections illuminating unique regional culture and heritage
Organizations that serve multiple community functions

What They Don't Fund

Start-up nonprofits (organizations must typically have at least one full year of operations)
Individuals
Religious activities
Political campaigns
Conferences
Publications
Capital campaigns
Endowments
Organizations outside the Chicago region and South Carolina Lowcountry

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

The foundation is currently in leadership transition following David Farren's retirement at the end of 2023 after serving as executive director since 2013

Board of Trustees

Includes the founders' children and grandchildren
Non-family board members and staff also serve
Maintains founders' values and civic-mindedness

Staff

Kelly Landis - Director of Communications (formerly with NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Brookings Institution, and speechwriter for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor)
Ellen Placey Wadey - Staff member who writes on behalf of the organization
Multiple program officers for different regions and focus areas

Leadership Quotes

David Farren on Chicago's storefront theaters: "These storefront [theaters] are fundamental to who we are as humans. They are critical resources in our neighborhoods. They help us talk about the issues of the day — immigration, gender, racism — in a way that other art forms can't."

David Farren on trust-based partnerships: "Through those close collaborations, we have done vital work and accomplished so much together. The issues facing our two regions have never been more important, and I know that the Foundation and our partners will continue to shine into the future with the work of land conservation, artistic vitality, and collections."

David Farren on expanding support for collections: "We have always supported museums and libraries, but we understand that there are other organizations that serve multiple functions in a community, such as community centers, small culturally specific organizations, schools and churches."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL FIRST STEP: The foundation requires prospective grantees to contact them BEFORE submitting an application. This is not optional - review the guidelines, then reach out to the appropriate program officer.

Application Deadlines (2025)

Spring Cycle: Friday, March 28, 2025
Fall Cycle: Friday, July 25, 2025

Application Timeline

Applications open approximately 6 weeks before each deadline
Spring applications typically available mid-February
Fall applications typically available mid-June
Application links sent to returning grantees' portal accounts
New organizations must contact program staff before starting application

Geographic Requirements

Chicago and Lowcountry have different application guidelines
Ensure you're reviewing the correct regional guidelines before contacting the foundation
Chicago programs focus on Cook County
Lowcountry covers 11 South Carolina counties

Application Portal

Returning grantees use online portal (https://gddf-portal.givingdata.com/)
New applicants should contact foundation first to discuss eligibility and process

Special Notes

Broadening Narratives program is invitation-only
Foundation does accept unsolicited applications for Arts and Land Conservation programs
First-time applicants must establish contact with program officers before applying

Decision Timeline

From Application to Decision: Approximately 4 months from application deadline to board decision

Notification: Applicants receive notification within 2 weeks after the board meeting

Grant Distribution: Timing varies by grant type and board approval

Success Rates

The foundation awards 300-400 grants annually from their total applicant pool, but specific acceptance percentages are not publicly disclosed. Recent data shows:

2024: 127 grants awarded totaling $6.18 million
2023: 373 grants awarded totaling $6.98 million
2022: 469 grants awarded

In 2024, 65% of grants were multiyear general operating support grants.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact the foundation directly to discuss their eligibility and timing for resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Trust-Based Philanthropy Approach

The foundation explicitly practices trust-based philanthropy, which means:

They value deep partnerships with grantees over transactional relationships
They provide flexible, multiyear general operating support (described as the "gold standard" by grantees)
They use anonymous grantee surveys as "a vital tool in our trust-based philanthropic practice"
They offer proactive, multifaceted support beyond grantmaking including technical assistance, financial assistance vehicles, grantee convenings, communications support, and mission advocacy
The foundation emphasizes that "relationships are the heart of our philanthropy"

What the Foundation Values

For Arts Organizations:

Professional producing organizations presenting their own work
Small budget size (under $1 million) - this is a requirement, not a drawback
All artistic disciplines and cultural traditions welcome
Organizations that address contemporary issues meaningfully
Commitment to sustaining artistry while strengthening operations

For Land Conservation:

Regional coordination and collaborative approaches
Climate resiliency focus
Benefits extending to diverse communities
Policy and advocacy work alongside land protection
Organizations building internal capacity

For All Applicants:

Geographic fit is non-negotiable (must serve Chicago region or SC Lowcountry)
Organizations with at least one full year of operations
Willingness to engage in relationship-building with program officers
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Recent Funded Projects

2024 Grant Recipients - Chicago:

League of Chicago Theatres: $75,000
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: $100,000
American Farmland Trust: $150,000
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
Definition Theatre Company
Jazz Institute of Chicago
Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Natya Dance Theatre
See Chicago Dance
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
Shattered Globe Theatre
Silk Road Rising

2024 Grant Recipients - South Carolina:

Pat Conroy Literary Center: $20,000
Friends of Coastal South Carolina: $60,000
Pee Dee Land Trust: $90,000

Engagement Before Applying

The foundation's requirement to contact them before applying is intentional. Use this initial contact to:

Confirm your organization fits their criteria
Understand which program officer handles organizations like yours
Discuss your organization's work and potential alignment
Learn about current foundation priorities within your program area
Build the relationship that is central to their philanthropic approach

What Not to Do

Don't apply without first contacting the foundation - applications may not be accepted
Don't ignore the budget cap for arts organizations ($1 million maximum)
Don't apply if you're outside their two geographic regions
Don't apply for excluded purposes (capital campaigns, endowments, conferences, etc.)
Don't expect to access Broadening Narratives without an invitation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Relationship first, application second: Contact the foundation before applying - this is a requirement that demonstrates their trust-based approach and helps ensure you're a good fit
Geographic focus is absolute: Only Chicago region and SC Lowcountry organizations are eligible - there are no exceptions to this limitation
Small is the target: For arts organizations, having a budget under $1 million isn't a liability - it's precisely who they want to fund
Multiyear support is the norm: 65% of their grants provide multiyear general operating support, giving organizations stability and flexibility
Budget size matters for arts: The $1 million budget cap for arts organizations is a hard limit - if your budget exceeds this, you're not eligible for Artistic Vitality programs
Contact requirements vary by status: Returning grantees receive portal invitations; new applicants must initiate contact with program officers
Two chances per year: With Spring and Fall deadlines, plan strategically for which cycle best suits your organization's timeline

References

Accessed: December 2025