The Brighter Days Foundation
The Brighter Days Foundation is a private foundation based in North Canton, Ohio. Founded by PGA TOUR player Jason Day and his wife, Ellie, it says it provides funding and resources to organizations in central Ohio that meet basic needs, give hope, and support child-serving organizations.
The Brighter Days Foundation at a glance
In short: The Brighter Days Foundation gave $156K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Ohio. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $155,500
- -48.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,136
- -53.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $504,546
- +301.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (1 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Brighter Days Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2903, N Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 316-0867
Website: https://www.brighterdaysfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Brighter Days Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Stowe Mission ($101K). Together the top 9 received $149K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($7,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 56 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as supporting organizations in central Ohio. Its 2024 filing reports that grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio (88%), Kentucky (10%), and Florida (2%); Tennessee is listed at 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Brighter Days Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 10 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $500; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $4K repeat.
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 60% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $156K (2024) to $473K (2020). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $156K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stowe Mission Columbus, OH | General Exempt Function | $100,750 |
| James Cancer Hospital Columbus, OH | General Exempt Function | $15,750 |
| Blessings in a Backpack Inc Louisville, KY | General Exempt Function | $15,000 |
| Ohio University Athens, OH | Provide College Scholarships | $3,500 |
| Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Provide College Scholarships | $3,500 |
| Ashland University Ashland, OH | Provide College Scholarships | $3,500 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $7,000 |
| Muskingum University New Concord, OH | Provide College Scholarships | $3,500 |
| Walking for Kids Foundation Longwood, FL | General Exempt Function | $2,500 |
| The Gibson Foundation Nashville, TN | General Exempt Function | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $504,546 | $996,401 | $628,494 | $155,500 | 11 | $155,500 | $11,134 |
| 2023 | $125,639 | $888,203 | $1,025,471 | $301,350 | 10 | $301,350 | $12,659 |
| 2022 | $262,907 | $1,079,643 | $997,916 | $210,000 | 10 | $210,000 | $14,326 |
| 2021 | $181,180 | $928,555 | $1,164,844 | $388,546 | 15 | $388,546 | $18,644 |
| 2020 | $417,469 | $680,822 | $887,830 | $473,215 | 10 | — | $23,980 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brighter Days Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website says it partners with local nonprofit organizations to meet basic needs, give hope, and deliver programs and services with measurable, impactful results. It names Stowe Mission of Central Ohio, Blessings in a Backpack, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, and the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center’s James Cancer Hospital among organizations it supports.
The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations represented in its 2024 giving. Blessings in a Backpack says it mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide weekend food to school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry. Ashland University describes itself as a comprehensive private university guided by its Christian heritage. An individual recipient Nazarene University describes itself as a liberal arts university that also supports educational and theological efforts of the Church of the Nazarene and like-minded organizations. Muskingum University says it prepares learners to think critically, excel professionally, grow personally, and contribute ethically. The filing lists several university grants for college scholarships.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $155,500 through 11 grants. The grants ranged from $500 to $100,750, with a median grant of $3,500.
The largest 2024 grants were $100,750 to Stowe Mission, $15,750 to James Cancer Hospital, and $15,000 to Blessings in a Backpack. Each was listed for a general exempt function. Six Ohio universities received $3,500 each for college scholarships: Ohio University, Ohio State University, Ashland University, an individual recipient State University, Muskingum University, and an individual recipient Nazarene University. Other grants were $2,500 to Walking for Kids Foundation and $500 to The Gibson Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ellen L Day as president and director, Jason A Day as vice president and director, William R Martin as treasurer and director, and Clark Harvey as foundation manager.
The Brighter Days Foundation is led by Ellen L Day, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellen L Day
President & Director
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason A Day
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William R Martin
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clark Harvey
Foundation Manager
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $150K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Colin J Swatton (2020) — Secretary & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $150K, to Clark Harvey (Foundation Mgr.).
Frequently asked questions about The Brighter Days Foundation
How much does The Brighter Days Foundation give each year?
The Brighter Days Foundation gave $156K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $301K across 10 grants.
What is The Brighter Days Foundation's typical grant size?
The Brighter Days Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,500, and its average grant was $14,136, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Brighter Days Foundation that year got $500 on average.
Where does The Brighter Days Foundation give grants?
The Brighter Days Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kentucky (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (3 grants).
Does The Brighter Days Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 45% of The Brighter Days Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Provide College Scholarships" (6 grants).
Who are The Brighter Days Foundation's largest grantees?
The Brighter Days Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Stowe Mission ($100,750), James Cancer Hospital ($15,750) and Blessings in a Backpack Inc ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($7,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Brighter Days Foundation?
The Brighter Days Foundation reported $505K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $156K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Brighter Days Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website says it partners with local nonprofit organizations to meet basic needs, give hope, and deliver programs and services with measurable, impactful results. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Brighter Days Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Brighter Days Foundation's EIN?
The Brighter Days Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3601700. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Brighter Days Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Brighter Days Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-brighter-days-foundation-morg_9f22e81c397542d299f255b721fe66e7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_453601700_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Brighter Days Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-brighter-days-foundation-morg_9f22e81c397542d299f255b721fe66e7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Brighter Days Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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