Private foundation · Chicago, IL (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
James Deering Danielson Foundation
In 2025 it gave 6 grants worth $44,500 to Tennessee groups, 4 of them in Williamson County. A typical grant was $5,000 to $10,000.
Invitation only: it picks who to fund. Don't send a proposal. Look for a connection through its board. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 6 totaling $44,500 · 4 in Williamson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $5,000 to $10,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $5,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Williamson County, Shelby County, Wilson County · plus 43 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- 17% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 1 of 6.
- Total giving that year
- $300,000
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $300K | $44K | 6 |
| 2024 | $300K | $24K | 5 |
| 2023 | $300K | $39K | 5 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
The foundation's filing doesn't describe how to apply. Look for a website, or send a short letter asking whether it accepts requests.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Robert J VenablePresident/director
- Beverly DanielsonVice president/director
- Jocelyn TennilleVice president/director
- Charles E Seitz IIIVice president/director
- Susan D PattockSecretary/treasurer
- David FuechtmanAsst sec/asst treas
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Social services (2 grants)
- Arts and humanities (1 grant)
- Educational (1 grant)
- Environmental (1 grant)
- Hospitals, health and medical (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 1 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 3 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 2 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Williamson County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough T1d | Brentwood, Williamson County | Social services | $15K |
| The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County - Franklin Theater | Franklin, Williamson County | Arts and humanities | $10K |
| Battle Ground Academy | Franklin, Williamson County | Educational | $5,000 |
| Friends of Franklin Parks Inc. | Franklin, Williamson County | Environmental | $4,500 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Hospitals, health and medical | $5,000 |
| Wilson Rides Inc. | Mount Juliet, Wilson County | Social services | $5,000 |