Daniels Fund Grants Program

The Daniels Fund Grants Program offers support to nonprofit organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, focusing on areas such as Aging, Amateur Sports, Disabilities, and Youth Development. With no specific deadlines, applications are accepted year-round, and the review process generally takes about 120 days. The fund prioritizes impactful programs that drive meaningful change and foster community growth, honoring the legacy of founder Bill Daniels through strategic philanthropic efforts.

NOTE:  We do not have specific deadlines, so you may apply anytime. Please note that it takes approximately 120 days to review an application.
Overview
The Daniels Fund supports highly effective nonprofit organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. We invest in programs that spark opportunity, uplift lives, and drive meaningful, lasting change. Our funding is highly competitive, with only the top organizations in their field selected. These are leading organizations solving the most complex challenges with innovative, impactful, and forward-thinking solutions. We focus on organizations that achieve significant results in the community, working tirelessly to address pressing issues and open new possibilities for the people they serve.
Our giving is rooted in the values, compassion, and entrepreneurial spirit of our founder, Bill Daniels. Bill Daniels helped a tremendous number of people during his lifetime and continues to do so in extraordinary ways through the foundation he established. The Daniels Fund honors Bill’s direction and carries forward his legacy of generosity in the funding areas of Aging, Amateur Sports, Disabilities, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Early Childhood Education, Homeless & Disadvantaged, K–12 Education Reform, and Youth Development.
Funding Areas
These funding areas were established by our founder and they do not change:

• Aging
• Bill Daniels' Motivation

Bill helped to fulfill his mother's wish to remain in her own home and maintain her independence as she aged. In his later years, Bill gained additional insight from his own personal experiences.
Desired Result
Older adults achieve maximum independence and quality of life.
Our Strategy
In-Home Services: Seniors receive the services they need to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Respite care and navigator services are readily available to support family members caring for their elderly loved ones.Community Engagement: Seniors enjoy the benefits of remaining physically and mentally active, and participate in meaningful activities that contribute to their sense of purpose.End-of-Life/Palliative CareSeniors nearing the end of their lives have access to high quality, compassionate hospice and palliative care.
Bill Daniels’ Motivation
Bill loved sports and knew from personal experience that participation in sports and the influence of quality coaches could change the direction of a young person's life for the better.
Desired Result
Youth experience the benefits of participating in sports programs. Elite amateur athletes have the opportunity to participate in national and international competition.
Desired Outcomes:
Youth SportsAffordable, community-based, multi-sport activities are available for youth, led by coaches trained to build a positive youth sports culture that promotes confidence, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship.CompetitionNational and international amateur sports competitions take place in the community. The costs of participation in national or international competitions — such as training and travel expenses — are offset for elite athletes.
Bill Daniels’ Motivation
One of Bill's sisters was born with developmental disabilities. Bill observed how his parents' choice to provide compassionate care at home enhanced his sister's health and happiness. Later in life, he suffered from his own disability — severe hearing loss.
Desired Result
People with disabilities achieve dignity through maximum independence and quality of life.
Our Strategy
Developmental DisabilitiesPeople with developmental disabilities receive the supportive services they need to achieve the greatest level of independence and quality of life possible. Respite care is readily available to support family members caring for loved ones.Physical Disabilities (Equipment)People with physical disabilities gain access to life-altering equipment that maximizes their independence and quality of life.
Bill Daniels’ Motivation
Bill suffered from alcoholism and embraced sobriety after seeking treatment. He talked openly about his ongoing recovery as a way to educate and provide hope to others. Bill personally helped countless friends and business associates seek treatment and regain control of their lives.
Desired Result
Adults and youth with drug and alcohol addiction challenges achieve and maintain stability.
Our Strategy
Prevention (Emphasis on Youth)The risks and repercussions associated with drug and alcohol addiction are effectively conveyed to young people, resulting in positive behavioral and perceptional changes.Treatment & After-Care Services (Recovery)Individuals maintain long-term sobriety by having access to high quality treatment programs and supportive after-care services.
Bill Daniels’ Motivation
Bill saw the need for healthy, safe, and nurturing early childhood experiences in the home and beyond. He wanted to ensure early childhood education started children on a path to success.
Desired Result
Kindergarten readiness is ensured through an improved early childhood system.
Our Strategy
Teacher/Leadership QualityTeachers, leaders, and caregivers receive the essential training and support that ensures children in their care are well-prepared for kindergarten.Program QualitySystem-level investments improve curriculum, materials, and resources across multiple learning sites.Parental EngagementParents and other caregivers are empowered to become "first teachers" by gaining awareness of important developmental milestones and knowledge of effective strategies to ensure children reach them.
Note: We typically do not provide funding for individual child care centers.
Bill Daniels’ Motivation
Bill's great compassion for people struggling to meet basic human needs fueled his desire to help them get back on their feet. He wanted to offer disadvantaged individuals and families a hand-up and spark their motivation to reenter the workforce.
Desired Result
Homeless individuals and families achieve and maintain self-sufficiency without the need for public assistance.
Our Strategy
Transitional Housing & Supportive ServicesIndividuals and families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless break the cycle of poverty and attain economic self-sufficiency by receiving access to transitional housing, comprehensive supportive services, and employment opportunities.Emergency Services*Individuals and families experiencing the initial stages of homelessness move from crisis toward economic self-sufficiency by receiving overnight shelter and food assistance in a structured manner that encourages both accountability and participation in case management.
K-12 Education Reform
Desired Outcomes:
Reform/School ChoiceAchieve systemic education reform by supporting high-performing charter schools and tuition assistance programs (portable vouchers) that broaden quality educational options for families. Competition prompts challenges to the status quo.Teacher/Leadership Quality*Teachers and school leaders receive innovative training and support to maximize student achievement.Parental EngagementParents are better educated in the areas of school quality and choice, and understand how to be effective advocates for their children.

• Emphasis is on charter schools

Bill Daniels' Motivation
Bill supported character-building programs that help youth become confident, patriotic, and independent. He wanted kids to develop personal accountability and responsibility. He also wanted them to understand the value of money, the free enterprise system, and that success is earned through hard work.
Desired Result
Youth develop character and gain the necessary life skills to become successful adults.
Career & Technical EducationAll youth — whether planning to earn a college degree or not — develop clear pathways to meaningful employment through opportunities for career exploration, job shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships.Civic EngagementYouth actively contribute to bettering their communities as engaged, informed citizens with strong American values.Financial Literacy & Free EnterpriseYouth become active participants in the free enterprise system by developing a strong understanding of economics, business, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
We Would be Delighted to Visit with You
The Daniels Fund grants team spends time visiting the communities we serve to get to know area nonprofits, learn about effective programs and projects, and understand how needs vary from place to place.
We continually look for opportunities to support excellent programs that align with our funding priorities.
Our State-Specific Grantmaking Approach
The Daniels Fund has tailored its grantmaking strategies and objectives for Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming to address specific needs in each state.
National Grant Funding
The Daniels Fund supports select programs with a nationwide focus by invitation only. We do not provide funding for regional, local, or community-based programs outside our four-state region.
Due to our focused strategy, we do not accept unsolicited national grant applications.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for a Daniels Fund grant:
Organizations need to provide programs or services in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming.The Daniels Fund supports select programs with a nationwide focus by invitation only.Programs or projects must align with our donor's intent and fit within the Daniels Fund's funding areas: Aging, Amateur Sports, Disabilities, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Early Childhood Education, Homeless & Disadvantaged, K-12 Education Reform, and Youth Development.Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status or government equivalent.
Grant requests must be for a specific program or project, general operating support, or capital campaign.
Due to our focused strategy, we do not accept unsolicited grant applications for New Mexico.

Ineligibility

The Daniels Fund supports select programs with a nationwide focus by invitation only.Please note that grants for New Mexico, Utah, or national coverage are by invitation only.We do not fund programs that are not aligned with our eight designated funding areas, or regional, local, or community-based programs outside of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, or Utah.In addition, we typically do not fund:

• Arts, cultural, or museum programs (including those teaching and serving youth) Candidates for political office
• Debt retirement
• Endowments
• Environmental stewardship programs
• Historic preservation projects
• Individual early child care centers in the Colorado Front Range
• Individuals
• Library programs
• Medical or scientific research
• Mentorship, tutoring, or college prep programs
• Nutrition, health, or obesity programsSponsorships, tables, or tickets for special events or fundraising events