Daniels Fund

Please join us in welcoming Nick Loyacona to the Daniels Fund as a Grants Program Officer! Nick brings a wealth of experience as a practicing attorney at two prominent law firms and valuable insights from his service on the board of Colorado Charter Facility Solutions—a Daniels Fund grantee. With his expertise and dedication to civics education, Nick is a fantastic addition to our team. “Bill Daniels believed in the power of community and the responsibility to lift others up—a philosophy that deeply resonates with me. Joining the Daniels Fund allows me to be part of a legacy that transforms lives and fosters civic engagement, creating ripples that extend across generations. I’m excited to contribute to this meaningful work and help carry forward Bill’s extraordinary vision.”

Hanna Skandera was honored as a distinguished speaker at the Givers, Doers, and Thinkers Conference! At the event, Hanna shared an inspiring vision for K-12 education, underscoring the profound need for school choice to empower families and prepare future leaders. She highlighted the Daniels Fund's ambitious initiative to create 100,000 new high-quality choice seats across the Rocky Mountain West, driven by the belief that every family deserves educational options that work best for them. Hanna’s powerful insights reinforce the Daniels Fund’s commitment to community-driven solutions that uplift students and enrich American life!

?? Drumroll, please... ?? We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 Salute to Excellence Finalists! These remarkable grantees have been chosen for their transformative impact, alignment with Bill Daniels’ legacy, and outstanding leadership. Their life-changing efforts are unmatched in scale, scope, and quality, delivering best-in-class outcomes that would undoubtedly make Bill Daniels proud. Join us in celebrating their dedication to making a difference and shaping communities for the better. Stay tuned as we continue this journey to honor their extraordinary work and select the $250,000 winner in January! Congratulations to Child Development Center, CrossPurpose and TACT - Teaching the Autism Community Trades!

?? Spotlight on New Legacy Charter School | 2025 Medal of Excellence Semi-Finalist ?? New Legacy Charter School is making an extraordinary impact by providing pregnant and parenting teens with not just an education, but the opportunity for brighter futures for both themselves and their children. Through job training and compassionate support, New Legacy is transforming lives for two generations at once. ???? ???? Their dedication to breaking the cycle of poverty aligns with Bill Daniels’ belief in the power of education and opportunity to create lasting change. Being a Salute to Excellence semi-finalist recognizes New Legacy’s remarkable impact and brings them one step closer to the Medal of Excellence. Learn more about New Legacy Charter School here: https://lnkd.in/eG_cCKFN Stay tuned as we celebrate more of our remarkable semi-finalists and reveal the finalists on November 20!

Yesterday, 27 student finalists from across America competed in the inaugural National Civics Bee Championship in the nation’s capital, showcasing their civic knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.? A huge congratulations to Emily Brubaker from Alaska for winning the inaugural National Civics Bee Championship! ?? Her exceptional dedication and civic knowledge earned her the prestigious Bill Daniels National Civics Award and a $100,000 scholarship. Emily’s achievement embodies the spirit of informed citizenship and we’re proud to celebrate the positive impact she’s making in her community. A special thanks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for their leadership and all of the sponsors for advancing civics among our young people including The Anschutz Foundation, The Wilson Garling Foundation, Travelers, Welcome.US, and Starbucks. Think you’ve got what it takes to be the next champion? ?? The 2025 National Civics Bee is your chance to shine! Apply by February 4 through the link and show us what you've got. https://lnkd.in/gv8xMstX Let's see who will be the next National Civics Bee champion!

This Veterans Day, we honor and celebrate those who have served our country with courage and dedication. Our founder, Bill Daniels, a proud veteran of World War II and Korea, exemplified the spirit of service and sacrifice. Today, and every day, we thank our veterans for their unwavering commitment to protecting our freedom.

Current Daniels Scholars—don’t miss this exclusive 2025 summer opportunity! ?? We’re excited to share that the Common Sense Institute is once again offering a paid Daniels Scholar Junior Fellowship for next summer! This isn’t just an internship; it’s your chance to gain hands-on experience in policy analysis, networking, and professional development—all while making a real-world impact. ?? Program Highlights: ?? Get Paid: Earn while you learn and contribute meaningfully. ?? High-Impact Research: Fellows will conduct significant research on prominent economic policy issues alongside experts in the field, culminating in published work. ?? Professional Development: Build valuable skills with guidance from respected policy experts. ?? Networking: Connect with influential leaders shaping our future. Check out the inspiring work from past Junior Fellows below and see how you can make your mark! ?? Op-ed 1 - Jade Gromer | https://bit.ly/3Csq3M2 ?? Op-ed 2 - Rasheed Garza | https://bit.ly/4ejUp0M ?? Op-ed 3 - Avery Martinez | https://bit.ly/3Cv3Ahm ?? Op-ed 4 - Toby Lee | https://bit.ly/4fBwkDI The Daniels Scholarship Program is dedicated to opening doors and empowering you to lead, create change, and grow. Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this unique, paid opportunity and make your summer count! Ready to be next? https://lnkd.in/gKfh26Mz

?? Spotlight on DSST Public Schools | 2025 Medal of Excellence Semi-Finalist ?? DSST Public Schools is paving the way for underserved communities in Colorado with its commitment to rigorous STEM education. DSST boasts an extraordinary achievement—100% of its graduates are accepted to college or postsecondary programs, equipping students not only with academic knowledge but with the tools for brighter futures. ????? Being named a semi-finalist for the Medal of Excellence is a testament to DSST’s transformational impact, which aligns with Bill Daniels’ vision of providing life-changing opportunities for underserved youth. DSST’s dedication to preparing the leaders of tomorrow is one step closer to earning this prestigious award. Learn more about DSST here: Stay tuned as we celebrate more of our remarkable semi-finalists and reveal the finalists on November 20!

The Daniels Fund is proud to partner with the Rose Community Foundation to sponsor this year’s Denver Business Journal Giving Guide! ?? This powerful resource is packed with inspiring organizations making a real difference in our communities. Let it guide your season of giving, making it one filled with generosity and meaningful impact. ?? Explore the guide and start your journey of giving today: https://lnkd.in/gaJERXTT

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