Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation Grants

The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving Hampden County, Massachusetts. Funding areas include early education, health, economic mobility, and arts. The Foundation supports general operating, capital, program, capacity building, and emergency funding to foster community development and address pressing needs. Eligible organizations must demonstrate measurable outcomes and a commitment to sustainable change while enhancing collaboration among local nonprofits.

NOTE: Organizations that are new to the Foundation are strongly encouraged to contact us directly to set up a brief introductory meeting.
Areas of Funding
The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation primarily considers funding requests from nonprofit organizations based in or working in Hampden County, Massachusetts that address needs in the following areas:
Early Education (Birth to 5)Early LiteracyInnovation and Excellence in EducationEconomic MobilityArts & CultureHealthSafety Net (Support for social service organizations responding to the essential needs for marginalized communities and vulnerable residents in Hampden County)Youth DevelopmentLeadership Development & TrainingSustainable AgricultureCommunity Support
Types of Funding
Funding requests are considered for:

• General Operating Funding
• General Operating funding is awarded to help support an organization’s general operating costs and overhead rather than a particular project or initiative.
• Capital Funding

Capital funding is awarded to support the purchase, construction, or renovation of a property, land and/or capital assets associated with the organization and the communities it supports.
Program Funding
Program funding is awarded to support a specific program, project, or initiative to be implemented by the organization with the goal of achieving measurable and meaningful projected outcomes.
Capacity Building Funding
Capacity Building funding is awarded to support and/or improve an organization’s work and operations. These awards typically focus on the areas of strategic planning, fiscal systems review, board development, staff development, diversifying revenue streams, etc.
Emergency Funding
Emergency funding is awarded to assist an organization in a time of unexpected and sudden need. These requests are reviewed as quickly as possible, typically within two weeks, of receipt.

Eligibility

The Foundation seeks to support organizations and initiatives that:Are focused on serving the needs of the citizens of Hampden CountyOffer creative responses to the community's most pressing needs and concernsAre preventative and far-sighted in their design and can articulate clear, measurable, and sustainable outcomesEmpower individuals to acquire the skills needed to enjoy sustained improvement in their quality of life Increase access and opportunities for people from low-income and under-served populations of the communityAre committed to long-term changeAssist local organizations to strengthen their capacity to fulfill their missions and sustain their workFoster collaboration among nonprofit organizationsHave the potential to multiply dollars with support from other sources

Ineligibility

Guidelines established by the Foundation usually preclude support for:Organizations located outside of Hampden County