daniels fund grants program Overview of our Online Grant Application Updated June 2013
Daniels Fund The legacy of Bill Daniels Bill Daniels was a man of remarkable compassion, ethics, and integrity. He was a renowned business leader whose sincere compassion for people and unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity earned him extraordinary respect around the globe. Bill grew up during the Great Depression and served his nation as a decorated fighter pilot in two wars. Upon returning home from Korea, he settled in Casper, Wyoming. Driving home from Hobbs, New Mexico after visiting family, Bill stopped for lunch in Denver and it was then that he encountered television for the first time. He was mesmerized, and his discovery that most rural communities (including Casper) were too remote to receive broadcast transmissions marked the start of his legendary career as a cable TV pioneer. Since his death, Bill Daniels legacy has become associated most often with his generosity as a philanthropist whose passion for helping others inspired him to create the Daniels Fund. Its purpose to extend Bill s generosity far beyond his lifetime. Honoring our donor s intent and values The Daniels Fund is a private charitable foundation with a sole donor: Bill Daniels. Upon Bill s death in 2000, his $1.2 billion estate transferred to the Daniels Fund, making it one of the largest foundations in the Rocky Mountain region. We are committed to honoring our founder s direction and furthering the values that defined his life. Our grants and scholarship programs operate exclusively within Bill s defined and specific geographic locations, funding areas, and distribution allocations. All of us strive to reflect the style of compassion, ethics, and integrity of Bill Daniels in all that we do. Should you have any questions, you may contact the Grants Department at any time at (720) 941-4457 or by email at GrantsInfo@DanielsFund.org Overview of the Daniels Fund Online Application Process Page 2 of 7
The Daniels Fund Grants Program Investing in outstanding nonprofits The Daniels Fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming that fit within our nine distinct funding areas. These funding areas were established by Bill Daniels, using the experiences and relationships of his life as motivation. Our funding areas are core to our purpose and they do not change: Aging Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Amateur Sports Disabilities Early Childhood Education K-12 Education Reform Ethics & Integrity in Education Homeless & Disadvantaged Youth Development Additional information on each funding area is available on the Daniels Fund website. In addition to fitting within our funding areas, the nonprofit organizations we support focus on high quality results and uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity to make a measurable difference in their communities. Members of the Daniels Fund grants staff spend a considerable amount of time in the various communities we serve. We come to personally know the area s nonprofit organizations and their people. We consider the effectiveness and specialized aspects of programs and projects, and maintain an understanding of specific needs within each community. We welcome the opportunity to visit with you to discuss opportunities to support outstanding programs that align with our funding priorities. Mapping the impact of our grants A listing of grants (by funding area or by year) may be viewed on the Daniels Fund Impact Map: www.danielsfund.org/impact-map/index.asp Starting in 2013, New Mexico grant applications are by invitation only and made specifically for programs that have demonstrated ability to improving the education continuum for students. Learn more about our New Mexico grant strategy at www.danielsfund.org/grants/nm-grants.asp Overview of the Daniels Fund Online Application Process Page 3 of 7
Before you apply Considerations and requirements The Daniels Fund accepts grant applications any time during the year; there are no submission deadlines. Before applying for a grant, however, it is important that you verify your eligibility and confirm that your organization s efforts fit with our funding strategies. Please note that the Daniels Fund takes the following factors into consideration: Alignment Viability Capacity Impact Grant Amounts The proposed project or program is strongly aligned with our funding areas and focus areas. Sufficient local and other financial support exists to ensure the project or program will be implemented and will continue after the grant period. Our goal is to help excellent nonprofits achieve a high level of effectiveness and impact. Our objective is not to sustain any individual nonprofit indefinitely, and a grant award should not be perceived as any indication of future or recurring funding. Effective leadership, strong financial health, and appropriate knowledge and resources exist to effectively implement programs and services. The Daniels Fund invests in programs that have significant impact in their communities. Grant applications should demonstrate impact and a clear evaluation plan with specific measurable outcomes that will be reported at the end of the grant period. Grant amounts vary considerably and depend on many factors. Important considerations include the applying organization s program budget, the impact the grant will have, and the levels of support the program is receiving from other sources. The Daniels Fund is rarely the sole provider of funds for a project, and encourages applicants to develop a variety of individual, government, and private funding sources. Before starting the online application process, we strongly encourage you to call us. To help you identify a Grants Program Officer focused on your geographic area or funding area, visit our Grants Department Contact page (www.danielsfund.org/grants/grant-contacts.asp). You may also contact the Grants Department at GrantsInfo@DanielsFund.org or (720) 941-4457. Overview of the Daniels Fund Online Application Process Page 4 of 7
Verify your eligibility Nonprofit organizations must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a grant from the Daniels Fund: Grant requests must fit within the Daniels Fund s funding and focus areas and align with our donor s intent The organization applying must be classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) or equivalent Eligible nonprofit organizations must provide programs or services in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming; organizations with a nationwide impact should call before applying The Daniels Fund makes grants for specific programs or projects, general operating support, or capital campaigns Organizations may only have one active grant at any given time Large institutions (such as a university or school district) should call before applying Current grantees may reapply at the end of their grant period after all reporting requirements have been fulfilled and the organization has been notified in writing The Daniels Fund generally does not provide funding for: Medical or scientific research Arts, cultural, and museum programs (including those teaching and serving youth) Environmental stewardship programs Historic preservation projects Candidates for political office Sponsorships, tables, or tickets for special events or fundraising events Debt retirement Endowments Fiscal sponsorships (the sponsored project should contact the Daniels Fund to determine if a fit exists with our funding priorities) Overview of the Daniels Fund Online Application Process Page 5 of 7
How to apply for a grant online A step-by-step guide Please follow these instructions to access and use the Daniels Fund s online grant application system. If you have questions during the process, please contact the Grants Department by email at GrantsInfo@DanielsFund.org or by phone at (720) 941-4457. Step 1 Starting a new application or returning to one in progress To start a new application: Visit the Daniels Fund grants application page at www.danielsfund.org/grants/application Click Apply Now Confirm that you have verified eligibility and click Continue Select the funding area that matches your grant request Please note that once you have started an application in one funding area, the application cannot be transferred to another funding area without starting a new application. Click the Apply Now button that applies to your grant request Click on the New Applicant button Establish an account by submitting your email address and creating a password. You will receive confirmation of your new account via e-mail. Keep a record of this information, as you will need it to access your in-progress application and application history. You may share your login information with anyone who needs to access your online application. Applications may be accessed only by the account through which they were established. To return to an in-progress application: Click Return to My Application in the right navigation menu in the Grants section of the Daniels Fund website or in the dropdown Grants menu Login with the email address and password you used to create your account Step 2 Initial eligibility questions The eligibility questions will help quickly determine if your grant request is a fit with the Daniels Fund s eligibility requirements and funding areas Overview of the Daniels Fund Online Application Process Page 6 of 7
DANIELS FUND GRANTS PROGRAM After answering the questions you will either be allowed to continue with the application, or you will be informed that your application is not a fit Step 3 Begin your Application All questions with a red asterisk (*) require answers. You will not be allowed to submit your application without first answering these questions. Content may be submitted in text format only and will not retain formatting such as bold, italics, or bullets. Step 4 Save and Finish Later You can save your work and continue the application at any time by clicking Save and Finish Later at the bottom of each page You may also click Next to continue the application Step 5 Review and Submit your Application When you have completed your application, click Review and Submit (you will be given a final opportunity to review your application before submitting) Submitted applications are final and can no longer be edited, so be sure to print a copy for your records The Daniels Fund will send confirmation that the application has been received to the email address associated with the application You ll hear from us We will contact you if we have questions during our review You will be notified in writing of our decision within approximately 120 days If a grant is awarded, a Letter of Agreement and Grantee Final Report form will accompany the notification letter Grants are generally awarded for 12-month periods If a grant request is declined, the Daniels Fund will send a notification letter, and the organization must wait one year to reapply Please contact the Grants Department by phone at (720) 941-4457 or by email at GrantsInfo@DanielsFund.org with any questions. Overview of the Daniels Fund Online Application Process Page 7 of 7