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Doll Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.0M

Doll Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,403,264 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $107.9 million
  • Grant Range: $10,000 (typical)
  • Total Awards: 121 grants in 2023
  • Geographic Focus: Astoria, OR; Bozeman, MT; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA
  • Application Process: Invitation-only

Contact Details

Address: 513 Christopher Dr, Princeton, NJ 08540

Phone: 609-924-3628

Website: https://dollfamilyfoundation.org/

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Engagement occurs through direct Foundation invitation only.

Overview

The Doll Family Foundation was established in 1993 through an inheritance that Henry C. Doll received from his father, Edward C. Doll. With involvement from Henry's wife, Mary (now deceased), and their four children, the foundation has grown to hold assets of $107.9 million with annual revenues of $12.8 million. The foundation operates with a lean structure, directing the vast majority of resources toward charitable purposes with zero officer compensation. Originally focused solely on Cleveland, Ohio nonprofits, the foundation has expanded as family members have dispersed geographically across the country. The foundation works with Strategy + Action/Philanthropy consultant Jeff Glebocki for strategic guidance and has grown its grant sizes from initial maximums of $7,000 to approximately $10,000. Three generations of the Doll family are now involved with the foundation, which emphasizes collaboration with nonprofit partners and other funders to maximize philanthropic impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses on three strategic areas with grant amounts typically at $10,000:

Women's Empowerment (Primary focus - $120,000 awarded in 2024)

  • Supporting low-income women to improve their lives after significant life challenges
  • Services for domestic violence survivors, refugees, immigrants
  • Reproductive healthcare access
  • Adult education and tutoring programs
  • Typical grant: $10,000

Promotion of Philanthropy ($30,984 awarded in 2024)

  • Emphasizing engagement of underrepresented communities (women, youth, communities of color)
  • Youth giving programs and volunteer development
  • Faith-based organizational development
  • Typical grant: $10,000

Environmental Policy ($20,000 awarded in 2024)

  • Media campaigns fostering stronger environmental policy development
  • Public awareness campaigns on environmental health issues
  • Environmental justice and equity initiatives
  • Typical grant: $10,000

Special Note on Multi-Year Grants: The foundation offers select multi-year grants (up to 3 years, $30,000 total) for specific initiatives aligned closely with their priorities.

Strategic Approaches

Investments align with priority areas through three key strategies:

  • Increasing Effectiveness: Enhancing organizational sustainability via strategic planning, leadership development, and service scaling
  • Developing Leadership: Building skills and confidence through coaching and mentoring
  • Building Movements: Supporting grassroots organizing, advocacy, and social action for lasting change

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation:

  • Rarely considers national organizations unless projects closely align with stated priorities and geographic focus
  • Limits funding to their five specified geographic communities

Governance and Leadership

Board Structure: The foundation's board comprises every member of the Doll family across three generations.

Known Leadership:

  • Henry C. Doll - Founder and President
  • Mary M. Doll - Treasurer (deceased)
  • Sarah V. Doll - Trustee
  • Four children of Henry and Mary Doll (names not publicly disclosed)

The family's geographic dispersion across the country has directly influenced the foundation's expansion into five distinct communities where family members reside.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Doll Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Invited applicants receive specific instructions as part of the foundation's annual grantmaking cycle. The foundation identifies potential grantees through:

  • Board members' connections in their respective geographic communities
  • Relationships with other funders and philanthropic networks
  • Recommendations from existing grantees
  • Consultation with philanthropic advisors

Funding Relationship Terms

  • Maximum Duration: Funding relationships are capped at five years
  • Required Break: After five years of funding, organizations must skip a year before again submitting a grant request
  • Year-to-Year Funding: Cannot be guaranteed, even for existing grantees

Decision Timeline

Operates on an annual grantmaking cycle. Specific timeline details are shared only with invited applicants.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, success factors relate to positioning your organization to be noticed and invited:

Alignment Priorities:

  • Geographic Match: Organizations must operate in one of the five priority communities (Astoria, OR; Bozeman, MT; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA)
  • Mission Alignment: Clear focus on empowering low-income women, promoting inclusive philanthropy, or advancing environmental policy through media
  • Strategic Approach: Demonstrated work in increasing effectiveness, developing leadership, or building movements
  • Community Connection: Strong roots in local communities where Doll family members reside

Organizational Characteristics Likely Valued (based on grant patterns):

  • Direct service organizations serving underrepresented communities
  • Grassroots organizations with advocacy components
  • Organizations working with women, youth, and communities of color
  • Environmental justice organizations combining policy and community engagement
  • Programs addressing systemic barriers and promoting lasting change

Recent Grant Examples (2024):

  • Cleveland Rape Crisis Center: Healing services for underrepresented survivors ($10,000)
  • Adelante Mujeres (Portland): Adult education for Latine women ($10,000)
  • One Valley Community Foundation (Bozeman): Youth Giving Project development ($10,000)
  • Oregon Environmental Council: PFAS public awareness campaign ($30,000 over 3 years)
  • Center for Diversity & the Environment: Healing of racialized trauma ($10,000)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional application processes; focus instead on building visibility in your community and with other funders in the foundation's priority regions
  • Geographic requirement is absolute: Organizations must operate in one of the five specified communities
  • Standard grant size: Plan for $10,000 grants; multi-year commitments ($30,000 over 3 years) are rare and reserved for exceptional alignment
  • Five-year maximum relationship: Factor in the funding cap and mandatory year off when considering the foundation in long-term sustainability planning
  • Three-pronged focus: Successful organizations clearly align with women's empowerment, inclusive philanthropy, or environmental policy advancement
  • Family-connected model: The foundation's geographic reach reflects where Doll family members live, suggesting local reputation and community connections matter
  • Strategic emphasis: Beyond direct services, the foundation values organizations working on systemic change through leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and movement building

References

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