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Dorothy B Davis Foundation is a private 0 based in FAIRFIELD, CT. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2015. The principal officer is Foundation Source. It holds total assets of $31.2M. Annual income is reported at $27.6M. Total assets have grown from $12.9M in 2015 to $31.2M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2024. Grantmaking is concentrated in Nebraska. According to available records, Dorothy B Davis Foundation has made 62 grants totaling $8.6M, with a median grant of $50K. Annual giving has grown from $2.4M in 2022 to $6.1M in 2023. Individual grants have ranged from $5K to $2.5M, with an average award of $138K. The foundation has supported 30 unique organizations. Grants have been distributed to organizations in Nebraska and Iowa and Colorado. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Dorothy B. Davis Foundation is a private family foundation headquartered in Fairfield, CT with assets of roughly $31.2M. The foundation's website explicitly states: 'The Dorothy B. Davis Foundation is not accepting proposals at this time. Please visit our website periodically as our policies and processes will be updated as the foundation evolves.' This is a closed funder in policy-transition mode — meaning cold applications will not be reviewed. The only approach that can work is (1) build a genuine relationship with the Executive Director, Lexie Seemann (lseemann@dorothybdavis.org), over time, (2) monitor the website periodically for policy announcements, and (3) operate in one of the three stated value areas ('Good Work, Vision, Compassion') with Connecticut or Fairfield County proximity.
Assets ~$31.2M, so annual grant budget at 5% IRS minimum payout would be roughly $1.5M — but the foundation is in a transition period and may not be distributing its minimum via open grantmaking; recent grant patterns are likely anchor gifts selected by the family/ED. The public site articulates only three thematic values — 'Good Work, Vision, Compassion' — without specifying program areas, eligibility criteria, grant size ranges, or cycles. No geographic restrictions are published. Based on Fairfield, CT headquarters location, the default footprint is likely Fairfield County and Connecticut, with potential broader US reach at the ED's discretion. Actual grantees would need to be identified via the 990-PF filing on Cause IQ or ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Compared to peer closed or invitation-only family foundations of similar asset size:
| Foundation | Assets | Open Apps? | Transparency | Geographic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorothy B. Davis Foundation | $31M | No (paused) | Minimal | Fairfield, CT (likely) |
| Fairfield County's Community Foundation | $300M+ | Yes | High | Fairfield County, CT |
| Near & Far Aid | $20M | Yes (invited) | Moderate | Fairfield County |
| Newman's Own Foundation | $500M+ | Partial | High | National |
| Tauck Family Foundation | $40M | Partially invited | Low | CT/national |
Davis is most comparable to other Fairfield County private family foundations that operate quietly, publishing only values language rather than RFPs — Tauck Family Foundation is the closest analog in both size and opacity. Unlike Fairfield County's Community Foundation (which openly solicits proposals with detailed guidelines), Davis is in a policy-development phase with no public application pathway. Closest peer overall is a foundation in founder-succession transition, which may be the Davis situation as well.
Website copyright reads '© 2025 Dorothy B. Davis Foundation - All Rights Reserved' and the active notice states the foundation is 'not accepting proposals at this time' pending policy updates. Lexie Seemann is listed as Executive Director with a direct email (lseemann@dorothybdavis.org). The three value pillars — Good Work, Vision, Compassion — appear prominently but without further detail, consistent with a foundation in early-stage branding or transition. No board roster, program updates, past grantee list, or annual report is published on the site. This pattern often indicates a foundation in a strategic-planning or generational-transition period. No major news or press releases found via web search, confirming a deliberately low-profile operating posture.
A strong proposal STRATEGY (there is no current application process) must start with patience: (1) email Lexie Seemann (ED) introducing your organization briefly and ask to be notified when the foundation resumes grantmaking — keep it short and values-aligned, (2) do NOT send a full proposal since they will be returned, (3) frame your mission using the foundation's own values language (Good Work, Vision, Compassion) to demonstrate fit, (4) if geographically close (Fairfield County, CT), attend local nonprofit events where the ED might appear, (5) watch the website periodically for the announced policy updates. When the foundation re-opens, organizations that have been on the radar will have an advantage. Do not mass-email or cold-apply — it will burn goodwill when the foundation does reopen.
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Smallest Grant
$5K
Median Grant
$50K
Average Grant
$74K
Largest Grant
$700K
Based on 52 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.
Assets ~$31.2M, so annual grant budget at 5% IRS minimum payout would be roughly $1.5M — but the foundation is in a transition period and may not be distributing its minimum via open grantmaking; recent grant patterns are likely anchor gifts selected by the family/ED. The public site articulates only three thematic values — 'Good Work, Vision, Compassion' — without specifying program areas, eligibility criteria, grant size ranges, or cycles. No geographic restrictions are published. Based on Fai.
Dorothy B Davis Foundation has distributed a total of $8.6M across 62 grants. The median grant size is $50K, with an average of $138K. Individual grants have ranged from $5K to $2.5M.
Dorothy B. Davis Foundation is a private family foundation headquartered in Fairfield, CT with assets of roughly $31.2M. The foundation's website explicitly states: 'The Dorothy B. Davis Foundation is not accepting proposals at this time. Please visit our website periodically as our policies and processes will be updated as the foundation evolves.' This is a closed funder in policy-transition mode — meaning cold applications will not be reviewed. The only approach that can work is (1) build a ge.
Dorothy B Davis Foundation is headquartered in FAIRFIELD, CT. While based in CT, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 3 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamela Swisher | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $180K | $36K | $220K |
| Lee D Seemann Jr | PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Tom Nichols | TRUSTEE/DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Clint Seemann | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$31.2M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$27.8M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
62
Total Giving
$8.6M
Average Grant
$138K
Median Grant
$50K
Unique Recipients
30
Most Common Grant
$100K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children'S HospitalCAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - NICU | Omaha, NE | $600K | 2023 |
| Big Brothers Big SistersGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $50K | 2023 |
| Angels Among UsGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $40K | 2023 |
| Habitat For Humanity OmahaLOW INCOME HOUSING | Omaha, NE | $2.5M | 2023 |
| Spirit Lake Kiwanis FoundationCAPITAL CAMPAIGN | Spirit Lake, IA | $1.7M | 2023 |
| Avenue ScholarsSCHOLARSHIPS | Omaha, NE | $200K | 2023 |
| Project HarmonyGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $100K | 2023 |
| Hospice HouseGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $100K | 2023 |
| Discovery HouseCAPITAL CAMPAIGN | Spirit Lake, IA | $100K | 2023 |
| Usa Hockey FoundationGENERAL OPERATING | Colorado Springs, CO | $100K | 2023 |
| Phoenix AcademySCHOLARSHIPS | Omaha, NE | $100K | 2023 |
| Casa For Douglas CountyVOLUNTEER PROGRAM | Omaha, NE | $75K | 2023 |
| Children'S Scholarship Fund Of OmahaSCHOLARSHIPS | Omaha, NE | $50K | 2023 |
| Assistance League Of OmahaOPERATION SCHOOLBELL | Omaha, NE | $50K | 2023 |
| Make-A-WishGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $50K | 2023 |
| Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding AcademyGENERAL OPERATING | Gretna, NE | $40K | 2023 |
| Autism Action CoalitionGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $35K | 2023 |
| Collective For HopeGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $35K | 2023 |
| Omaha Crime StoppersREWARD FUND FOR TIPS ON LOCAL CRIME | Omaha, NE | $30K | 2023 |
| Camp Foster Young Mens Christian Association IncCAPITAL AND GENERAL OPERATING | Spirit Lake, IA | $28K | 2023 |
| Ollie Webb CenterGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $25K | 2023 |
| Mending FacesGENERAL OPERATING | Broomfield, CO | $25K | 2023 |
| Special OlympicsGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $25K | 2023 |
| Volunteer'S Assisting SeniorsGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $20K | 2023 |
| Pga Reach NeGENERAL OPERATING | Lincoln, NE | $10K | 2023 |
| Omaha Police FoundationGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $10K | 2023 |
| Catholic Charities Of Archdiocese Of Omaha IncCAPITAL PURCHASE (VAN) | Omaha, NE | $110K | 2022 |
| 75 NorthGENERAL OPERATING | Omaha, NE | $75K | 2022 |