Donnie Williams Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,005,072 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $200,000
• Geographic Focus: St. Mary's, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, Maryland only

Contact Details

Website: www.dwfsby.org

Phone: 410-749-5350

Address: 145 E Carroll St Ste 201, Salisbury, MD 21801-5454

EIN: 45-5442255

Overview

The Donnie Williams Foundation Inc was established by Maryland native and entrepreneur Donnie Williams (1954-2012), who passed away in May 2012. Williams, a Salisbury University alumnus and successful businessman who created Alarm Guard and Advanced Property Rental, created the foundation with a $20 million endowment to give back to the communities that supported him throughout his life. The foundation made its first major award of $360,521 to St. Mary's County Public Schools in 2016 for after-school programs, and has since expanded its grant-making significantly, distributing over $1 million annually to educational programs. The foundation operates under the leadership of President Mark Granger, who was a long-time friend of Donnie Williams. Williams believed in providing structured, traditional educational opportunities similar to those he received in his youth, ensuring children would have "opportunities in life that he did not have growing up – places to come together, in formal and informal settings, to participate in activities after school."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides grants ranging from $2,500 to $200,000 for educational programs, with applications accepted through their website at www.dwfsby.org/funding.html. Recent significant grants include:

• Worcester County Public Schools: $200,000 (2025) for summer academy programs
• Worcester County Public Schools: $150,000 (2024) for summer programs at five schools
• Salisbury University: Funding for Summer Enrichment Academies providing 300+ student scholarships
• St. Mary's County Public Schools: $360,521 (2016) for after-school programs

Priority Areas

• After-school programs
• Academic and summer enrichment programs
• Youth employment and vocational readiness
• Mentorship and tutoring
• Youth physical fitness, mental health and wellness
• Summer academies preventing learning loss
• Early childhood education programs

What They Don't Fund

Organizations outside St. Mary's, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties in Maryland are not eligible. Only IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits, accredited K-12 schools, government entities, and early childhood programs qualify.

Governance and Leadership

President: Mark Granger, a long-time friend of Donnie Williams who states: "Donnie believed in giving back to the communities which had given him so much throughout his life."

Secretary & Board Member: Kimberly Roemer

The foundation operates as a private foundation filing Form 990-PF returns annually. Additional trustee information is available in their IRS filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through the foundation website at www.dwfsby.org/funding.html. Organizations should:

1. Verify they serve St. Mary's, Wicomico, or Worcester Counties in Maryland
2. Confirm their 501(c)(3), school, government, or early childhood status
3. Ensure program alignment with educational and youth development priorities
4. Contact the foundation at 410-749-5350 for application materials and guidance

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines and deadlines are not publicly disclosed. Contact the foundation directly at 410-749-5350 for current application cycles and review periods.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $1,005,072 in 2023, doubling from 16 grants in 2022.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Worcester County Public Schools has received multiple grants, suggesting reapplication is possible for successful programs.

Application Success Factors

Based on funded programs, successful applications demonstrate:

• Structured Educational Programming: Clear articulation of how programs provide structure and academic rigor, aligning with Williams' vision for "structured, traditional education program" opportunities
• After-School and Summer Focus: Many funded programs address out-of-school time, particularly summer learning loss prevention
• Educational Equity: Programs serving students who lack access to enrichment opportunities, with several grants explicitly providing scholarships for underserved students
• Community Need Documentation: Worcester County received funding when budget constraints eliminated local programs, showing the foundation responds to documented funding gaps
• Scalable Impact: The wide grant range ($2,500-$200,000) accommodates both small community programs and large district initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only organizations in St. Mary's, Wicomico, or Worcester Counties, Maryland are eligible - no exceptions
• Educational mission alignment is critical: Frame programs in terms of structured educational opportunities and academic support that mirror Williams' own beneficial experiences
• After-school and summer programs are priorities: The foundation's inaugural and many subsequent grants support these program types
• Wide grant range allows flexibility: Both small nonprofits and large school districts have secured funding - scale requests appropriately
• Growing grant capacity: Doubling of grants from 2022 to 2023 indicates expanding opportunities for new applicants
• Direct contact is encouraged: With accessible phone contact and website, reach out with questions before investing in full proposals
• Multi-year partnerships possible: Worcester County's repeated funding suggests strong performance leads to ongoing support

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Donnie Williams Foundation Inc (EIN: 45-5442255). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/455442255

2. Grantmakers.io Profile - Donnie Williams Foundation Inc. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/455442255-donnie-williams-foundation-inc/

3. Donnie Williams Foundation official website. Available at: https://www.dwfsby.org/

4. Donnie Williams Foundation Funding Guidelines. Available at: https://www.dwfsby.org/funding.html

5. "WCPS Receives $200,000 Grant from Donnie Williams Foundation." Worcester County Public Schools, 2025. Available at: https://www.worcesterk12.org/article/2154970

6. "Worcester public schools receive $150K for summer programs." Bayside Gazette, March 2024. Available at: https://baysideoc.net/worcester-public-schools-receive-150k-for-summer-programs/

7. "Gift from Donnie Williams Foundation Supports SU's Summer Enrichment Academies." Salisbury University News, August 2, 2023. Available at: https://www.salisbury.edu/news/article/2023-8-2-Gift-from-Donnie-Williams-Foundation-Supports-SUs-Summer-Enrichment-Academies

8. "Students benefit from late native son's foundation." TheBayNet.com, 2016. Available at: https://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1215/studentsbenefitfromlatenativesonsfoundation.html

9. "Donnie Williams Biography." St. Mary's Ryken High School. Available at: https://www.smrhs.org/facilities/donnie-williams-center/biography

10. Foundation Directory Online - Donnie Williams Foundation Inc. Candid. Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=1523710

11. Cause IQ - Donnie Williams Foundation. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/donnie-williams-foundation,455442255/

All sources accessed March 2026.