Daniels Fund

Middle school students are leading the way in addressing America’s civic education crisis! Over 6,000 students in 28 states took part in the 2024 National Civics Bee, showcasing their commitment to understanding our democracy. Colorado’s own Joseph Drexler dedicated hours to mastering these crucial principles and is now preparing for the National Competition. Read more in a recent op-ed by our CEO, Hanna Skandera, and Michael Carney, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, about why fostering civic literacy is key to revitalizing our democracy and how these young leaders are offering a path forward. https://lnkd.in/g2uveEte Click the link to register and watch these impressive middle school students take the national stage to compete for the overall title on November 12 —you won’t want to miss it! https://lnkd.in/gbrJehys

🚨Exciting news! For the first time ever, finalists from 27 states are heading to Washington, D.C. for the National Civics Bee Championship, and YOU can watch it for FREE! Don't miss the action as middle schoolers showcase their civic knowledge and compete for big prizes. Sign up to watch the livestream and cheer on these young leaders! 📅 Date: November 12, 2024 📍 Location: Washington, D.C. 💻 Register to watch: https://bit.ly/4hub0BO U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

🌟Spotlight on TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) | 2025 Medal of Excellence Semi-Finalist🌟 TACT - Teaching the Autism Community Trades is empowering young people with autism by providing hands-on training in the skilled trades. By teaching valuable skills in a supportive environment, TACT is opening doors to meaningful careers and creating a brighter future for its participants—one tool at a time!🔧✨ TACT’s mission aligns with Bill Daniels’ belief in providing opportunities to all individuals, helping them thrive in work and life. Being selected as a semi-finalist for the Medal of Excellence is a testament to their outstanding work and leadership. Learn more about TACT here: Stay tuned as we celebrate more of our remarkable semi-finalists and reveal the finalists on November 20!

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for the National Civics Bee! 🌟 As a proud founding partner of this inspiring initiative, we’re thrilled to share that the National Civics Bee is a finalist for The Anthem Awards in two categories, including the Community Voice Award! 🎉 Now, we need YOUR support to bring home the win! 🏆 🗳️ Vote for the Community Voice Award by October 31! Just follow these steps: 🔹Find the National Civics Bee entry here: https://bit.ly/40cBr8M 🔹Click ‘Celebrate’ 🔹Sign up or connect via Google/Facebook 🔹Verify your email 📢 Let's rally together to empower young leaders and champion civics in communities across the nation! Every vote makes a difference - thank you for your support! Vote now💥: https://bit.ly/40cBr8M

Hanna Skandera, CEO of the Daniels Fund, calls for a new approach to homelessness in her latest op-ed for The Denver Gazette. She highlights Aurora’s bold initiative: the Aurora Regional Navigation Campus (ARNC), which addresses root causes like addiction, mental health, and unemployment. With Advance Inc. leading this compassionate, outcomes-driven model, Aurora is setting the stage for real transformation. This is a scalable solution that cities across the nation can follow. Read more about this game-changing effort: https://lnkd.in/gG2TD8CZ

Meet Owen McAleer, Senior Grants Program Officer, who is leading the charge in addressing some of Colorado’s most critical needs. Owen serves the western region of Colorado, overseeing grants in all of the Daniels Fund’s funding areas, but his focus on drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, and supporting disadvantaged communities in the Denver metro area is where his passion truly shines. With a heart for service, Owen dedicates himself to creating sustainable, life-changing programs that empower individuals to overcome challenges and build brighter futures. In addition to his work with the Daniels Fund, Owen is the founder and board chair of Advance Pathways, an organization at the forefront of helping those experiencing homelessness find stability and hope. His leadership and vision have inspired countless individuals and organizations to come together to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. "Being part of this mission is deeply rewarding. I've had the privilege to witness true resilience and strength in those facing the toughest challenges — whether it’s addiction or homelessness. Working alongside our grantees to address these issues and seeing the positive impact on their lives is an honor." Owen’s unwavering commitment to improving lives is an inspiring example of the Daniels Fund’s mission in action. Stay tuned as we share more stories of transformation and hope in the incredible communities we serve!

🌟 Spotlight on CrossPurpose | 2025 Medal of Excellence Semi-Finalist 🌟 CrossPurpose is making a profound impact by helping individuals overcome severe poverty through a combination of community support and comprehensive job training. CrossPurpose is breaking the cycle of poverty and transforming lives for families and individuals. 🌟👏 Being selected as a semi-finalist for the Medal of Excellence highlights CrossPurpose’s exceptional leadership and their alignment with Bill Daniels’ vision of creating long-lasting community change. They are on the path to achieving even greater things as they approach the final round of this prestigious honor. Learn more about CrossPurpose here: https://lnkd.in/eCm323fM Stay tuned as we celebrate more of our remarkable semi-finalists and reveal the finalists on November 20!

Our Director of Alumni Relations, Susie Loyacona, recently spoke at the NSPA National Scholarship Providers Association conference alongside the Boettcher Foundation and Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Their session focused on using data and strategy to enhance alumni engagement, specifically highlighting how the Daniels Fund applies these approaches to strengthen both our scholarship and alumni programs. Though we’re a regional foundation, we continue to grow our impact across the nation, driven by the success of our scholars and alumni!

Hanna Skandera had the pleasure of emceeing the Big Ideas Talks at this year's Philanthropy Roundtable Annual Meeting!🎤 At the Daniels Fund, we believe in the power of Big Bets—our investments tackle complex issues head-on with innovative and scalable solutions that drive lasting change. From expanding school choice to launching a National Civics Bee, these ideas are already making waves across the country. Only 2 years ago, Hanna delivered her own Big Ideas talk. The idea? A National Civics Bee. It was just an idea in its infancy but fast forward to today, and the National Civics Bee has taken off – next year it will be in over 200 cities across 40 states! It's events like this one that spark incredible concepts that lead to real impact. They are ideas that are already impacting lives and that, with the right push, can transform entire fields. We look forward to seeing the next generation of changemakers emerge and their ideas shape the future!🌟 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

🚨 LAST CHANCE ALERT! 🚨 High school seniors, this is it—your final hours to apply for the Daniels Scholarship! ⏳ The clock is ticking, and the opportunity to change your life is slipping away. Here’s what you could be saying “yes” to: 💵 A Full-Ride Opportunity 🤝 Personalized 1:1 Support 🚀 Career-Boosting Preparation 💪 Leadership Skills Development 💻 A Brand-New MacBook Don’t let this moment pass you by. Hit submit before it’s too late! Your future is waiting—today is your LAST CHANCE!