Domanada Foundation Donald E Sveen Et Al Ttees

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,064,500 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Rolling basis, relationship-driven
• Grant Range: Varies by organization budget (limited to 5% of recipient's annual budget)
• Average Grant Size: Approximately $27,300 (based on 2022 data)
• Geographic Focus: Cook County, Illinois (Chicago area) and Central & Eastern Europe (excluding Russia)
• Number of Awards: 39 grants (2022)

Contact Details

Address: 209 East Liberty Drive, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: (630) 221-9130
Fax: (630) 221-9223
Website: www.domanada.com
Contact Person: David E. Sveen, President
EIN: 36-6916790

Pre-Application Support: The foundation highly recommends organizations begin with a phone call before investing time in a written inquiry or grant proposal.

Overview

The Domanada Foundation was established in 1989 and became tax-exempt in January 1990 as a private foundation devoted to leveraging its human and financial resources to advance the cause of Jesus Christ. Operating as an independent trust with total assets of approximately $30 million, the foundation is based in Wheaton, Illinois, in the western suburbs of Chicago. The foundation makes grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations for work in the Chicago area (specifically Cook County) and in Central and Eastern Europe, excluding the Russian Federation. The foundation takes a highly relational approach to grantmaking, with most grants growing out of established relationships rather than through impersonal written communication. The foundation ranks in the top 2% of nonprofits nationally and focuses primarily on supporting new, emerging, or moderate-sized organizations through matching grants designed to build organizational capacity and expand donor bases.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Primary Grantmaking Approach: The foundation operates on a rolling basis with a relationship-based model. Most grants are structured as matching grants designed to stimulate new giving rather than simply funding specific projects.

Grant Structure: The normal method of grantmaking is a matching grant, with the primary purpose being to stimulate new giving to the organization rather than funding a specific project. The foundation prefers grants that are strategically designed to build the organization's funding base or focus on specific projects with clearly defined goals.

Priority Areas

The Domanada Foundation considers grant proposals from organizations that meet the following criteria:

• Christ-centered mission: Organizations with a primary focus on theological education, leadership development, or issues of justice and compassion
• Geographic location: Based in Central and Eastern Europe or the Chicago area where ongoing face-to-face relationships are possible
• Organizational stage: New, small, or mid-sized organizations, particularly when just getting off the ground or significantly expanding the scope of ministry
• Relational context: Organizations willing to engage in established relational partnerships

Specific Geographic Areas in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland

What They Don't Fund

The Domanada Foundation generally will not consider grant proposals that:

• Provide funding exceeding 5% of an organization's annual budget
• Fund building projects or endowments
• Provide personal support or academic scholarships for specific individuals or families
• Address financial problems within an organization
• Include multi-year proposals

Governance and Leadership

President and Trustee: David E. Sveen serves as President of the Domanada Foundation and as a trustee. The foundation's formal name "Domanada Foundation Donald E Sveen Et Al Ttees" indicates Donald E. Sveen and other trustees manage the foundation.

David E. Sveen's Background: David Sveen serves on multiple boards including the Board of Directors of the Trust Company of Illinois, Heska Corporation, Cummins-Allison Corporation, and serves as a Trustee on the Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation. He is also affiliated with The Trinity Forum.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Contact: The foundation highly recommends that organizations begin with a phone call to (630) 221-9130 before investing time and effort in a written inquiry or grant proposal. This reflects the foundation's emphasis on building relationships with partner organizations.

Application Schedule: Rolling deadline - applications accepted throughout the year

Eligibility: Organizations must be registered U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

Process Philosophy: The foundation emphasizes that "this process is almost always face to face conversation rather than impersonal written communication." Most grants grow out of an established relational context with ongoing face-to-face relationships.

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a rolling basis with decisions made through relationship-driven processes. Specific timelines are not publicly disclosed, as the foundation emphasizes face-to-face relationship building rather than standardized processing schedules.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation made 39 grants in 2022, 40 grants in 2021, 36 grants in 2020, and 43 grants in 2019, suggesting relatively consistent annual grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish specific reapplication policies. Given their relationship-based approach, organizations are encouraged to maintain ongoing communication with the foundation.

Application Success Factors

Relationship Building is Essential

The foundation explicitly states that "most Domanada Foundation grants grow out of an established relational context" and emphasizes that "this process is almost always face to face conversation rather than impersonal written communication." Organizations should prioritize building genuine relationships with the foundation before submitting formal proposals.

Understanding the Matching Grant Purpose

The foundation emphasizes that their matching grants serve a specific purpose: "The primary purpose [of the matching grant] is not to fund a specific project or program, but rather to stimulate new giving to the organization." The matching grant is designed as a fundraising tool to encourage new donors to become involved or inspire existing donors to give more sacrificially.

Timing Matters

The foundation "prefers to make grants when an organization is just getting off the ground or when it is significantly expanding the scope of its ministry." Organizations should approach the foundation at strategic inflection points when matching grants can have maximum catalytic impact.

Start with a Phone Call

The foundation explicitly recommends: "Before your organization invests time and effort in a written inquiry or grant proposal, the Foundation highly recommends you begin with a phone call." This initial contact allows both parties to assess fit and compatibility before investing in formal proposals.

Focus on Organizational Development

The foundation prefers "grants strategically designed to build the organization's funding base" rather than simply supporting ongoing operations. Applications should demonstrate how grant funds will strengthen organizational sustainability and expand the donor base.

Align with Geographic and Mission Priorities

Successful applicants will be Christ-centered organizations focused on theological education, leadership development, or justice and compassion issues, located either in Cook County, Illinois, or in Central/Eastern Europe (excluding Russia).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship first, application second: The foundation operates through face-to-face relationships rather than impersonal processes. Initial phone contact is essential before submitting written proposals.

• Matching grants as fundraising tools: Understand that Domanada's grants are designed to catalyze new giving and expand your donor base, not simply fund projects. Your proposal should demonstrate how you'll leverage their support to attract additional donors.

• Target emerging organizations: The foundation specifically works with new, small, or mid-sized organizations at critical growth stages. Highlight if you're launching or significantly expanding.

• Respect the 5% cap: Don't request more than 5% of your annual budget. Calculate this carefully before approaching the foundation.

• Geographic focus matters: You must be based in Cook County, Illinois, or in specified Central/Eastern European countries to be eligible.

• Christ-centered mission alignment: Theological education, leadership development, or justice/compassion work within a Christ-centered framework are the foundation's core priorities.

• Think strategically about timing: Approach the foundation when a matching grant could have maximum catalytic impact—when launching or expanding significantly.

References

1. Domanada Foundation Website - www.domanada.com (Accessed February 2026)
2. Domanada Foundation Strategic Focus - https://domanada.com/our-strategic-focus/ (Accessed February 2026)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Domanada Foundation Donald E Sveen Et Al Ttees (EIN: 36-6916790) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/366916790 (Accessed February 2026)
4. GuideStar Profile - Domanada Foundation Donald E Sveen Et AL TTEES - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-6916790 (Accessed February 2026)
5. Cause IQ - Domanada Foundation Financial Data - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/domanada-foundation,366916790/ (Accessed February 2026)
6. GrantStation - Domanada Foundation Profile - https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/domanada-foundation (Accessed February 2026)
7. Instrumentl - Domanada Foundation 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/domanada-foundation (Accessed February 2026)
8. The Trinity Forum - David Sveen Profile - https://ttf.org/david-sveen/ (Accessed February 2026)