Danielson Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a variety of causes, with a strong emphasis on education, social services, and the arts and humanities. Its mission reflects a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities, promoting social welfare, and fostering cultural initiatives. The foundation provides grants to a diverse range of recipients, including educational institutions, social service organizations, and arts and culture nonprofits. While it primarily operates in Illinois, its funding extends to organizations across multiple states, indicating a broader interest in supporting impactful initiatives beyond its home state.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A mission-aligned nonprofit (especially in education, social services, or arts) seeking modest project support and able to demonstrate established operations or local/regional credibility.
Good Fit
- • Project or program budgets in the small grant range (a few thousand to tens of thousands).
- • Clear alignment with education, social services, or arts programming.
- • An existing relationship, local credibility, or referral from a prior grantee or trustee.
- • Capacity to accept one-off or recurring modest grants and to report succinctly.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached about 11 states with only ~13% of dollars in the foundation's home state and a substantial share (30%) concentrated in one out-of-state region, indicating a multi-state footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 49 distinct recipients across multiple mission areas (education, social services, arts, environment, health), and the funder consistently made the same count of independent awards in the prior year as well.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of accessibility exists: seven new recipients appeared in the latest year and formal application/contact details (mailing address and phone) are provided, but the portfolio is largely recurring (42 returning grantees) and no public online application process is available, so new entrants are possible but selection appears relationship-influenced.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
