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Daniel - Mickel Foundation is a private trust based in GREENVILLE, SC. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1978. It holds total assets of $13.7M. Annual income is reported at $384K. The foundation is governed by 5 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2015 to 2024. Grantmaking is concentrated in South Carolina. According to available records, Daniel - Mickel Foundation has made 156 grants totaling $1.6M, with a median grant of $3K. The foundation has distributed between $743K and $844K annually from 2020 to 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $100 to $73K, with an average award of $10K. The foundation has supported 103 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, which account for 94% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 8 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
## Approach Strategy
The Daniel-Mickel Foundation is one of Greenville, South Carolina's most established philanthropic institutions, with over $57 million in cumulative giving since its founding in 1948 by Charles E. Daniel, a prominent South Carolina industrialist. Originally called The Daniel Foundation, it was renamed in 1993 to honor both the Daniel and Mickel families.
The foundation is led by Minor Mickel Shaw, a nationally recognized philanthropist who has received awards for her support of higher education and community development. Other trustees include Charles C. Mickel, Katie Shaw Howell, Carter Shaw Lowrance, and Clark Mickel. The foundation operates with a focused geographic mandate: enhancing quality of life in Greenville and the Upstate region.
With approximately 95 grants per year ranging from $100 to $117,000, the foundation is accessible to organizations of varying sizes. Its open application process with three review cycles annually makes it one of the more approachable foundations in South Carolina. Organizations should emphasize community impact within the Greenville area and demonstrate project sustainability.
## Funding Patterns
The Daniel-Mickel Foundation distributed $831K across 95 grants in 2024, with a median grant size of $2,500 and maximum grant of $117,000. Total assets stand at approximately $13.7M.
| Recipient | Amount | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Christ Church Episcopal School | $117,000 | Education |
| Museum Association of Greenville | $60,000 | Arts |
| Unity Park | $50,000 | Community Development |
| Peace Center for Performing Arts | $32,500 | Arts |
| Roper Mountain Science Center | $25,750 | Education |
| Mill Village Farms | $25,000 | Community Development |
| Upstate Warrior Solutions | $25,000 | Human Services |
| Fine Arts Center | $23,500 | Education |
| Julie Valentine Center | $23,000 | Human Services |
Sector Distribution: - Education: 23% - General Support: 23% - Health & Human Services: 12% - Arts & Culture: 11% - Community Development: 11%
The foundation maintains consistent annual grantmaking between 73-96 awards, with total giving historically ranging from $700K to $850K. The majority of grants fall in the $500-$25,000 range, making it accessible to smaller nonprofits.
## Peer Comparison
Among South Carolina foundations with $10M-$20M in assets, the Daniel-Mickel Foundation stands out for its long history, broad focus areas, and open application process.
| Foundation | Assets | Annual Giving | Focus | Location | Open Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel-Mickel Foundation | $13.7M | $831K | Education, Arts, Human Services | Greenville | Yes (3x/year) |
| Belle W. Baruch Foundation | $19.8M | $8.5M | Land Conservation, Research | Georgetown | Limited |
| The Byerly Foundation | $19.4M | $2.4M | Community Development | Hartsville | Yes |
| Ray & Vera Conniff Foundation | $18.9M | $18.2M | Human Services | Fort Mill | Varies |
| Hasmukh & Gita Rama Foundation | $18.5M | $5.8M | Philanthropy & Grantmaking | Greenville | Varies |
| Arkwright Foundation | $16.8M | $2.9M | General | Spartanburg | Varies |
The Daniel-Mickel Foundation's payout rate of approximately 6% of assets exceeds the IRS-required 5% minimum. Its 75+ year history and cumulative $57M in giving make it one of the most established community foundations in the Upstate region, though its assets are more modest than some newer peers.
## Recent Activity
In 2024, the Daniel-Mickel Foundation awarded 95 grants totaling $831K, continuing its strong pace of community investment. This represents a slight decrease from the $844K distributed in 2022, reflecting natural fluctuation in its giving patterns.
The foundation has been particularly active in supporting Greenville's cultural infrastructure. Major grants to the Peace Center for Performing Arts ($32,500) and the Museum Association ($60,000) reflect Greenville's growth as a cultural destination in the Southeast. Support for Unity Park ($50,000) aligns with the city's flagship $70M park development.
Chairman Minor Mickel Shaw continues to receive recognition for her philanthropic leadership. She was honored by Greenville Technical College for the foundation's cumulative $330,000+ in donations since 2001 and received national awards for higher education support from organizations like SCICU (South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities).
The foundation continues to accept grant applications three times per year, maintaining its accessible approach to community philanthropy.
## Application Tips
The Daniel-Mickel Foundation is one of the more accessible private foundations in South Carolina, with a structured application process open to 501(c)(3) organizations.
Application Deadlines: - December 30 (for February review) - June 30 (for August review) - September 30 (for November review) Applications must be received by 5:00 PM EST on deadline dates.
Key Requirements: 1. Greenville Focus: Priority is given to organizations that primarily impact people in Greenville, SC. While some grants go to organizations in other parts of South Carolina and beyond, the strongest applications demonstrate direct community benefit in the Greenville area.
2. Three Required Elements: Applications must include an explanation of the project, a detailed project budget, and a sustainability plan demonstrating how the project will continue beyond the grant period.
3. Right-Size Your Ask: The median grant is $2,500 and most grants fall in the $500-$25,000 range. First-time applicants should consider requesting amounts in this range. Larger grants ($50K+) tend to go to established institutions with which the foundation has long-standing relationships.
4. Align with Focus Areas: Education and general operating support each represent 23% of grants, followed by health/human services (12%), arts (11%), and community development (11%). Frame your proposal within these categories.
5. Contact: PO Box 9278, Greenville, SC 29604. Phone: 864-271-7503. Visit danielmickelfoundation.org for current information.
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Smallest Grant
$100
Median Grant
$3K
Average Grant
$9K
Largest Grant
$60K
Based on 96 grants from the most recent 990-PF filing.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
## Funding Patterns The Daniel-Mickel Foundation distributed $831K across 95 grants in 2024, with a median grant size of $2,500 and maximum grant of $117,000. Total assets stand at approximately $13.7M.
Daniel - Mickel Foundation has distributed a total of $1.6M across 156 grants. The median grant size is $3K, with an average of $10K. Individual grants have ranged from $100 to $73K.
## Approach Strategy The Daniel-Mickel Foundation is one of Greenville, South Carolina's most established philanthropic institutions, with over $57 million in cumulative giving since its founding in 1948 by Charles E. Daniel, a prominent South Carolina industrialist. Originally called The Daniel Foundation, it was renamed in 1993 to honor both the Daniel and Mickel families.
Daniel - Mickel Foundation is headquartered in GREENVILLE, SC. While based in SC, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 8 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor M Shaw | CHAIRMAN/CEO | $6K | $0 | $6K |
| Charles C Mickel | VP/TREASURER | $6K | $0 | $6K |
| Kathryn S Howell | VP/SECRETARY | $6K | $0 | $6K |
| Charles Clarke Mickel Jr | DIRECTOR | $3K | $0 | $3K |
| Carter Lowrance | DIRECTOR | $3K | $0 | $3K |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$13.7M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$13.7M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
156
Total Giving
$1.6M
Average Grant
$10K
Median Grant
$3K
Unique Recipients
103
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe HarborGENERAL | Greenville, SC | $20K | 2022 |
| First Presbyterian ChurchEDUCATION | Spartanburg, SC | $5K | 2022 |
| Community Foundation Of Greenville - Unity ParkCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | Greenville, SC | $54K | 2022 |
| Christ Church Episcopal School - CcesEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $50K | 2022 |
| Greenville Health SystemHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Greenville, SC | $50K | 2022 |
| Mill Village FarmsCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | Greenville, SC | $50K | 2022 |
| Usc Medical SchoolEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $50K | 2022 |
| Meals On WheelsGENERAL | Greenville, SC | $35K | 2022 |
| Roper Mountain Science Center AssociationEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $33K | 2022 |
| The Museum Association (Gr Co Art Museum)ARTS | Greenville, SC | $32K | 2022 |
| Feed And SeedGENERAL | Greenville, SC | $30K | 2022 |
| Meyer Center For Special ChildrenEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $30K | 2022 |
| Sc Children'S TheatreARTS | Greenville, SC | $27K | 2022 |
| Project Host Soup KitchenHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Greenville, SC | $25K | 2022 |
| Soteria Community Development CorpGENERAL | Greenville, SC | $25K | 2022 |
| Pendleton Place For Children And FamiliesEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $25K | 2022 |
| Upstate Warrior SolutionsGENERAL | Spartanburg, SC | $25K | 2022 |
| Bon Secours St Francis Health System FoundationHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Greenville, SC | $25K | 2022 |
| ArtisphereARTS | Greenville, SC | $21K | 2022 |
| Greenville Center For Creative ArtsARTS | Greenville, SC | $16K | 2022 |
| Foothills Trail ConservancyHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Slater, SC | $15K | 2022 |
| Public Education PartnersEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $14K | 2022 |
| United Way Of Greenville CountyGENERAL | Greenville, SC | $14K | 2022 |
| Habitat For Humanity Of Greenville CountyHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Greenville, SC | $13K | 2022 |
| Palmetto GreenENVIRONMENTAL | Columbia, SC | $13K | 2022 |
| The Fine Arts CenterEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $12K | 2022 |
| Upstate ForeverENVIRONMENTAL | Greenville, SC | $11K | 2022 |
| Camperdown AcademyEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $11K | 2022 |
| Conestee FoundationENVIRONMENTAL | Greenville, SC | $11K | 2022 |
| American Heart AssociationHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Columbia, SC | $10K | 2022 |
| Poe Mill Achievement Center (Pmac)EDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $10K | 2022 |
| Momentum Bike ClubsCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | Greenville, SC | $10K | 2022 |
| Peace Center For The Performing ArtsARTS | Greenville, SC | $8K | 2022 |
| Clemson University FoundationEDUCATION | Clemson, SC | $7K | 2022 |
| Furman UniversityEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $6K | 2022 |
| Metropolitan Arts CouncilARTS | Greenville, SC | $5K | 2022 |
| Pratt InstituteEDUCATION | Brooklyn, NY | $5K | 2022 |
| Governor'S School Foundation For The ArtsEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $4K | 2022 |
| Greenville Tech FoundationEDUCATION | Greenville, SC | $4K | 2022 |
| Mill Village MinistriesCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | Greenville, SC | $4K | 2022 |
| Elbert County Comprehensive High SchoolEDUCATION | Elbert, GA | $3K | 2022 |
| Wofford CollegeEDUCATION | Spartanburg, SC | $3K | 2022 |
| Greenville County Museum Of ArtARTS | Greenville, SC | $3K | 2022 |
| Randolph CollegeEDUCATION | Asheboro, NC | $3K | 2022 |
| Greenville Women GivingGENERAL | Greenville, SC | $2K | 2022 |
| The Fine Arts Center PartnersEDUATION | Greenville, SC | $2K | 2022 |
| Favor GreenvilleHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Greenville, SC | $2K | 2022 |
| Junior Achievement Of Greater ScGENERAL | Columbia, SC | $2K | 2022 |
| Shriners Hospital For ChildrenHEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES | Greenville, SC | $2K | 2022 |
| Ymca Of GreenvilleHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Greenville, SC | $1K | 2022 |
LAKE CITY, SC
CHARLESTON, SC
COLUMBIA, SC