Mary & Al Danos Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed (recent gifts total $5M+ from 2019-2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (proactive grant-making)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $3,000,000
• Geographic Focus: South Louisiana (Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes)

Contact Details

• Location: Gray, LA 70359
• EIN: 72-1495656
• Website: Not available
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Mary & Al Danos Family Foundation, established in 2001, is a private independent foundation operating from Gray, Louisiana. Classified as a T22 Private Independent Foundation by the IRS, the foundation is led by the four children of Mary and Al Danos. The foundation has demonstrated significant grant-making capacity, with publicly announced gifts exceeding $5 million between 2019-2024. Their largest single donation was $3 million to Nicholls State University in 2024, marking the largest donation in the university's history. The foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on higher education, Catholic institutions, and disaster relief in South Louisiana, particularly in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

While specific named programs are not publicly listed, the foundation's giving follows clear patterns:

• Educational Transformation Grants: $1,000,000 - $3,000,000 (major capital and naming rights gifts to universities)
• Student Support Services: $10,000 - $220,000 (food security programs, tutoring centers, theater programs)
• Disaster Relief: Up to $1,000,000 (hurricane recovery through community foundations)
• Religious Institution Support: Variable amounts (seminarian education, Catholic Charities through endowments)

Priority Areas

• Higher education institutions, particularly Nicholls State University
• Catholic education and ministries, especially Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
• Hurricane disaster relief and community recovery
• Student food security and academic support programs
• Community colleges and technical education

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated; however, all documented grants have been to:

• Educational institutions (universities and community colleges)
• Religious organizations (Catholic)
• Established community foundations No evidence of funding to individuals, for-profit entities, or organizations outside South Louisiana.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is operated by the four children of Mary and Al Danos:

• Rene Danos David - President
• Andre Danos - Trustee
• Alyce Danos - Trustee
• Marcel Danos - Trustee

The trustees maintain strong connections to the Danos company legacy and the South Louisiana community. Their grant-making reflects deep local knowledge and established institutional relationships.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Mary & Al Danos Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes proactive grants to organizations they select. Grants appear to be awarded through:

• Direct relationships with the foundation trustees
• Partnerships with intermediary organizations (Bayou Community Foundation, Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana)
• Existing institutional relationships, particularly with educational institutions

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, organizations may consider:

• Working through established community foundations in South Louisiana that have existing relationships with the Danos family
• For Catholic organizations: connecting through the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux or Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, both of which have received multiple grants
• For educational institutions: demonstrating programs that address student basic needs (food security, academic support) or transformational infrastructure needs

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - proactive grant-making model

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of funded projects:

• Local Impact: All documented grants benefit South Louisiana communities, particularly Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes
• Transformational vs. Operational: The foundation funds both large transformational gifts (building naming, major capital) and targeted program support (student services)
• Established Organizations: All recipients are well-established institutions with proven track records
• Student-Focused: Educational grants consistently target direct student benefits - from basic needs to academic enhancement
• Partnership Approach: Several grants flow through intermediary organizations, suggesting the foundation values collaborative funding models
• Emergency Response: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make large disaster relief contributions during crisis events

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation without a public application process - relationship building is essential
• Focus area is extremely local - South Louisiana organizations only, with emphasis on Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes
• Educational institutions, particularly those serving first-generation and low-income students, align with funding priorities
• Catholic organizations should connect through diocesan channels or the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana
• The foundation makes both large transformational gifts and smaller program support grants
• Partnership with established community foundations may provide an avenue for funding
• Hurricane and disaster recovery initiatives have received substantial support

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Mary & Al Danos Family Foundation Form 990 filings (2020-2022). Accessed March 10, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721495656
• Nicholls State University. "Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation contributes $3M for naming rights to Nicholls State University Al Danos College of Business Administration." January 16, 2024. https://www.nicholls.edu/news/2024/01/16/mary-al-danos-family-foundation-contributes-3m-for-naming-rights-to-nicholls-state-university-al-danos-college-of-business-administration/
• Bayou Community Foundation. "Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation Contribute $1 Million to Bayou Recovery Fund." 2021. https://www.bayoucf.org/mary-and-al-danos-family-foundation-contribute-1-million-to-bayou-recovery-fund/
• Nicholls State University. "Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation contributes to theater, Mom's Pantry and tutoring center." December 17, 2019. https://www.nicholls.edu/news/2019/12/17/mary-and-al-danos-family-foundation-contributes-to-theater-moms-pantry-and-tutoring-center/
• Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana. "Danos Family Foundation Awards Grants to Address Several Important Diocesan Needs." Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.catholicfoundationsl.org/danos-family-foundation-awards-grants-to-address-several-important-diocesan-needs/
• Cause IQ. Mary & Al Danos Family Foundation Profile. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mary-al-danos-family-foundation,721495656/
• GuideStar. Mary & Al Danos Family Foundation Profile (EIN: 72-1495656). Accessed March 10, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/72-1495656