A Message from Linda Childears

President & Chief Executive Officer of the Daniels Fund

Each of us at the Daniels Fund is committed to honoring the intent of our founder, Bill Daniels. It is essential that months, years, even decades down the road, we remain true to the mission and purpose he established for his foundation. We believe that honoring donor intent goes beyond following the directives defined on paper. It also means understanding the values, principles, and personal style of our founder, and incorporating them into how we do business.

One significant way we accomplish this is by maintaining Bill Daniels’ community focus. He always held great affection for each of the communities that had given so much to him during his lifetime, and he committed himself to giving back to them. However, he didn’t just sit back and write the checks—that wasn’t Bill’s style. His financial contributions were significant, but he was also engaged, he was involved, and he was invested. Bill worked continually to understand the needs of the community by listening to its citizens, leaders, and organizations—and then finding opportunities to make life better for those around him. In the community Bill was known to be a good friend and a trusted partner.

Today, we carry on Bill Daniels' personal style—not just because it was important to Bill—but also because we know it’s the most effective way to deliver on our mission. Our responsibility at the Daniels Fund is to identify and support nonprofit organizations that excel at improving lives and expanding opportunities for those they serve. And we take that responsibility very seriously. The best way to make an impact is by listening, working together, and fulfilling our role through active engagement in the communities we serve. We are invested in them.

How do we honor the principles that defined Bill Daniels' life?

• We work closely with communities to understand the challenges they face;
• We invest in a broad range of exceptional organizations whose efforts and programs result in real improvement in the lives of those in need; and
• We invest in college scholarships that have remarkable positive effects—for our Daniels Scholars and their communities.

As Bill did in his lifetime, we consider it an honor to be regarded as a friend and a partner in communities throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. We look forward to continuing our work together. Thank you colleagues, partners, volunteers, grantees, scholars, friends, and neighbors for helping us further Bill Daniels' legacy — making life better...one individual at a time.

All the best,

Linda Childears
President & Chief Executive Officer
Daniels Fund

Linda Childears was named "Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy" as part of 
2010 National Philanthropy Day in Colorado. Her video profile from that event is below.