Gaylord And Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation's official site (gddf.org) describes its mission to support land conservation, artistic vitality, and broadening narratives in the Chicago region and South Carolina Lowcountry. The site presents active grant programs, news, and organizational information.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Organizations working in land conservation, artistic vitality, or projects that broaden cultural narratives — especially those based in or serving the Chicago region or South Carolina Lowcountry.
Good Fit
- • Work located in the Chicago region or the South Carolina Lowcountry.
- • Focus on land conservation, arts and cultural narratives, or community collections/heritage work.
- • Seeking general operating support or project support in the small-to-mid grant range.
- • Willing to engage with a named program officer before applying through the online portal.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached recipients in 22 states, though nearly half of grant dollars were concentrated in Illinois with meaningful additional concentration in South Carolina.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded 355 distinct recipients in the latest year with a substantial mix of returning grantees and new recipients; dollar concentration is modest (largest recipient ~3%, top five ~12%), indicating a broad independent recipient base.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of new grantees exists (82 new recipients in the latest year and prior years show high new-recipient rates), and a public online application process plus instructions to contact program officers make entry by unfamiliar applicants plausible.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
