Irene E And George A Davis Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8.2 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 months per quarterly cycle
• Grant Range: Typically $25,000 or less for projects outside priority categories
• Geographic Focus: Hampden County, Massachusetts

Contact Details

• Website: www.davisfdn.org
• Phone: (413) 734-8336
• Email: info@davisfdn.org
• Address: 1 Monarch Pl Ste 1300, Springfield, MA 01144-4011

Overview

The Irene E And George A Davis Foundation is a private independent foundation established to support the development of children, youth and families in Hampden County, Massachusetts. With total assets exceeding $94 million and annual grants paid of approximately $8.2 million (2023 990-PF), the foundation focuses on ensuring that young people have the opportunities needed to achieve their full potential. The foundation operates on a quarterly application cycle, accepting proposals from 501(c)(3) organisations serving Hampden County residents. As a private family foundation, it maintains a focused geographic scope within Hampden County while addressing critical educational, health, and social service needs of children and families.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation offers three types of grants:

• General Operating Grants: Funding for an organisation's general operating costs and overhead
• Programme Grants: Support for specific programmes or projects with measurable projected outcomes
• Capital Grants: Support for purchase, construction, or renovation of property, land and/or capital assets

Priority Areas

The foundation considers funding requests in the following categories:

• Early Education (Birth to 5): Early childhood development programmes and services
• Primary Education (K-12): K-12 education initiatives and support
• Higher Education: Post-secondary education programmes
• Education Policy: Policy initiatives related to education
• Health: Health services and programmes for children, youth and families
• Social Services: Family support services and programmes for under-served or at-risk populations
• Arts: Arts programmes serving Hampden County residents

The foundation also considers requests from organisations for projects/programmes that may not fall into one of the above categories, but that still offer a vital service to or enrich the lives of Hampden County residents. These grants are typically $25,000 or less.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly available

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

• Paul Belsito - Executive Director (joined June 2020)

Board of Directors:

• Laurel D Ferretti - Board Chair/President
• Jane E Davis Kusek - Director
• Andrew M Davis (Drew Davis) - Director
• Stephen A Davis - Director
• John H. Davis - Director (Emeritus)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts funding request applications on a quarterly basis. Applications are accepted via online application form available on the foundation's website. 501(c)(3) organisations, or those with 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors, that serve individuals living in Hampden County are eligible to apply.

Quarterly Application Cycle:

• Quarter 1: Applications due February 1st; Notifications made by March 31st
• Quarter 2: Applications due May 1st; Notifications made by June 30th
• Quarter 3: Applications due August 1st; Notifications made by September 30th
• Quarter 4: Applications due November 1st; Notifications made by December 31st

An organisation may submit a funding request application once per calendar year, unless alternative arrangements have been made with foundation staff.

All grantee partners are asked to complete a brief check-in/report either in writing or orally with a team member approximately six months after funding is awarded.

Decision Timeline

Approximately 2-3 months per quarterly cycle (applications reviewed and decisions communicated within the quarter)

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

One application per calendar year unless alternative arrangements made with foundation staff

Application Success Factors

Organisations seeking funding should:

• Clearly demonstrate how the programme serves Hampden County residents
• Show alignment with one or more of the foundation's seven funding categories
• Provide measurable projected outcomes for programme grants
• Establish 501(c)(3) status or secure a fiscal sponsor
• Apply during the appropriate quarterly cycle
• Focus on children, youth, and family development
• Emphasise services for under-served or at-risk populations where applicable

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction to Hampden County, Massachusetts is strictly maintained
• Quarterly application deadlines throughout the year provide multiple opportunities to apply
• Three distinct grant types available: general operating, programme, and capital
• One application per year per organisation (unless arranged otherwise)
• Strong focus on education (birth through higher education), health, social services, and arts
• Grants outside the seven priority categories are typically $25,000 or less
• Decision timeline is approximately 2-3 months per quarterly cycle
• Foundation values measurable outcomes for programme grants
• Follow-up reporting required approximately six months after funding

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Irene E And George A Davis Foundation, EIN 61-1816364 (2023 990-PF filing)
• Foundation website: www.davisfdn.org (verified via web search December 2024)
• Multiple verified web sources regarding application process, funding priorities, and leadership (December 2024)