The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation concentrates its support on Greater Worcester-area human services and youth-serving organizations, prioritizing community-level nonprofits that deliver programs for children and families. Its largest gifts fund local United Way, YWCA and YMCA initiatives, including a clear emphasis on programs for girls and youth development. The foundation favors a small number of sizable, place‑based grants rather than many small awards.
The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation’s clearest pattern is its repeated backing of Worcester-based human services and youth programs, with large general-support awards flowing year after year to United Way of Central Massachusetts, YWCA Central Massachusetts, and YMCA of Central Massachusetts. The foundation’s recent giving also shows a strong commitment to girls’ programming in the Worcester area, including support tied to the Investing in Girls Alliance and to organizations serving youth development needs. Rather than spreading funds broadly, it appears to favor a concentrated group of local nonprofits that anchor community services, family support, and youth development in Greater Worcester. Recent grants also point to a mix of community-serving institutions beyond the core human services field. Worcester State University, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, and African Community Education Program each received recurring support, while Worcester Rise for Health and Abby Kelley Foster House were also among the larger awards. The pattern suggests a foundation that uses meaningful grants to reinforce a small set of local organizations working with children, families, students, and community members across Worcester.
Youth development is a central thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $100,000 to United Way of Central Massachusetts for Investing in Girls Alliance, and it also supported Girls Incorporated of Worcester with $40,000 in 2025 and the same amount in 2023. Education and college access are another visible area. Worcester State University received $75,000 in 2025, $67,500 in 2025, $75,000 in 2024, and $37,500 in 2023, showing repeated support across multiple years. The foundation also awarded $75,000 to African Community Education Program in 2024 and $35,000 in 2025. Community wellness and services appear through grants to YWCA Central Massachusetts, YMCA of Central Massachusetts, and Worcester Rise for Health. Food access and volunteer agriculture also show up in the records, including $65,000 to Regional Environmental Council for a Food Justics Program and $50,000 to Community Harvest Project for volunteer farming operations.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-thousands: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $7,500, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent-grants list also shows that the foundation makes a smaller number of much larger awards, including six-figure grants to a few core recipients. The pattern is recurrent rather than one-off. United Way of Central Massachusetts, Worcester State University, Girls Incorporated of Worcester, and African Community Education Program appear in multiple years, and some recipients receive more than one award in the same year. The foundation operates through program and operating grants, strategic grants for girls ages 10-14, and multi-year capital grants. One active program accepts unsolicited applications for Worcester-area organizations.
$1M
$16.1M
$1.5M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 98% of grants go to recipients in MA.
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a few local organizations with repeat funding (notably United Way); primarily unrestricted or program-focused grants to strengthen community service delivery rather than broad geographic or sector diversification.
Notable grantees: United Way of Central Massachusetts (including Investing in Girls Alliance), YWCA Central Massachusetts, YMCA of Central Massachusetts
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 98% of grants go to recipients in Massachusetts, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Worcester is the center of gravity, with repeated awards to organizations in Worcester, MA. Other Massachusetts recipients include N Grafton, Boylston, and Whitinsville. A small number of grants reach outside Worcester; one recent award went to Rio Grande School in Santa Fe, NM.
Its recent grants center on Worcester-area human services, youth development, and girls’ programs. The record also shows support for community wellness, education, food access, and volunteer farming operations through organizations such as YWCA Central Massachusetts, Worcester State University, Regional Environmental Council, and Community Harvest Project.
The typical award size is $7,500 at the median, with the 25th percentile at $5,000 and the 75th percentile at $15,000. At the same time, the foundation also makes larger strategic and operating grants, including six-figure awards to major local partners.
Yes. United Way of Central Massachusetts appears in multiple years, as do Worcester State University, Girls Incorporated of Worcester, and African Community Education Program. Some recipients also receive more than one grant in a single year, which points to an ongoing relationship with selected organizations.
Yes. The Program and Operating Grants program is open to Worcester, Massachusetts service area organizations for ongoing program support or a specific project, and it accepts unsolicited applications. There is also a separate Investing in Girls Strategic Grants program for girls ages 10-14 in the Worcester service area.
The foundation gives locally, with 98% of grants going to recipients in Massachusetts. The recent-grants record is heavily concentrated in Worcester, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC | WORCESTER, MA | $160,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC | WORCESTER, MA | $155,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YWCA CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC | WORCESTER, MA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY | WORCESTER, MA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY | WORCESTER, MA | $67,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL INC | WORCESTER, MA | $65,000 | 2025 | FOOD JUSTICS PROGRAM |
| YWCA CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC | WORCESTER, MA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORCESTER RISE FOR HEALTH | WORCESTER, MA | $51,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY HARVEST PROJECT | N GRAFTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | VOLUNTEER FARMING OPERATIONS |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WORCESTER | WORCESTER, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY HARVEST PROJECT | N GRAFTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | VOLUNTEER FARMING OPERATIONS |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF WORCESTER | WORCESTER, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN WORC COUNTY | WHITINSVILLE, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC | WORCESTER, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AFRICAN COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM | WORCESTER, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RIO GRANDE SCHOOL | SANTE FE, NM | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY DBA ECOTARIUM | WORCESTER, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALBANY INST OF HISTORY AND ART | ALBANY, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF WORCESTER | WORCESTER, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOUNT GRACE LAND CONSERVATION TRUST | ATHOL, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | SOUTHBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY DBA ECOTARIUM | WORCESTER, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF GRAFTON | GRAFTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BERNARD FAMILY COMMUNITY KITCHEN | WORCESTER, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER INC | WORCESTER, MA | $21,250 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER INC | WORCESTER, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | LINCOLN, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GRANT- UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR HEALTH IMPACT | WORCESTER, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEREMIAHS HOSPICE INC (AKA JEREMIAH'S INN) | WORCESTER, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL MODEL SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY HOUSING |
| BARTON CENTER FOR DIABETES EDUCATION INC | NORTH OXFORD, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CENTRAL MA FOR RACHEL'S TABLE | WORCESTER, MA | $16,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL INC | WORCESTER, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD JUSTICS PROGRAM |
| COMMUNITY SERVINGS INC | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | LINCOLN, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GRANT- UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SERVICES | WORCESTER, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEREMIAHS HOSPICE INC (AKA JEREMIAH'S INN) | WORCESTER, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL MODEL SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY HOUSING |
| MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN | LEXINGTON, MA | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DISMAS HOUSE OF MASSACHUSETTS INC | WORCESTER, MA | $12,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DISMAS HOUSE OF MASSACHUSETTS INC | WORCESTER, MA | $12,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THINKGIVE | CONCORD, MA | $11,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROVISION MINISTRY INC | WESTBOROUGH, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROVISION MINISTRY INC | WESTBOROUGH, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROJECT JUST BECAUSE INC | HOPKINTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIVING IN FREEDOM TOGETHER | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY SERVINGS INC | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| QUINSIGAMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ABBY KELLEY FOSTER HOUSE INC | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CASA PROJECT | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WORCESTER | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WILLARD HOUSE & CLOCK MUSEUM | NORTH GRAFTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC
$160,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC
$155,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YWCA CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY
$67,500GENERAL SUPPORT
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL INC
$65,000FOOD JUSTICS PROGRAM
YWCA CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS INC
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORCESTER RISE FOR HEALTH
$51,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY HARVEST PROJECT
$50,000VOLUNTEER FARMING OPERATIONS
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WORCESTER
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY HARVEST PROJECT
$50,000VOLUNTEER FARMING OPERATIONS
GIRLS INCORPORATED OF WORCESTER
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRLS ON THE RUN WORC COUNTY
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRL SCOUTS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AFRICAN COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RIO GRANDE SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY DBA ECOTARIUM
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ALBANY INST OF HISTORY AND ART
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRLS INCORPORATED OF WORCESTER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MOUNT GRACE LAND CONSERVATION TRUST
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY DBA ECOTARIUM
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF GRAFTON
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BERNARD FAMILY COMMUNITY KITCHEN
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER INC
$21,250UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER INC
$20,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$20,000GRANT- UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTER FOR HEALTH IMPACT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEREMIAHS HOSPICE INC (AKA JEREMIAH'S INN)
$20,000SOCIAL MODEL SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY HOUSING
BARTON CENTER FOR DIABETES EDUCATION INC
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CENTRAL MA FOR RACHEL'S TABLE
$16,000GENERAL SUPPORT
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL INC
$15,000FOOD JUSTICS PROGRAM
COMMUNITY SERVINGS INC
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$15,000GRANT- UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SERVICES
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEREMIAHS HOSPICE INC (AKA JEREMIAH'S INN)
$15,000SOCIAL MODEL SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY HOUSING
MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
DISMAS HOUSE OF MASSACHUSETTS INC
$12,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
DISMAS HOUSE OF MASSACHUSETTS INC
$12,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
THINKGIVE
$11,500GENERAL SUPPORT
PROVISION MINISTRY INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROVISION MINISTRY INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROJECT JUST BECAUSE INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LIVING IN FREEDOM TOGETHER
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY SERVINGS INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
QUINSIGAMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ABBY KELLEY FOSTER HOUSE INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CASA PROJECT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WORCESTER
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WILLARD HOUSE & CLOCK MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Fred Harris Daniels Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Worcester, MA service area. Grants may support operating expenses or one-time program costs. Organizations can apply for and receive one grant per year.
Deadline: Last day of January, April, July, and October; decisions at quarterly meetings.
Who can apply: Applicants must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization, demonstrate evidence-based planning and organizational capability, apply 100% of funds to the Worcester, MA service area, and be members of the Investing in Girls Alliance. No more than one grant per year.
Deadline: October 31 (summer programs) and January 31 (school-year programming).
Who can apply: Organizations located in the Worcester, MA service area and recognized as a 501(c)(3) corporation. Funding is limited to building construction or building improvements.
Deadline: Application window opens January 1 and closes March 31 each year; applications are approved once per year.
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