Land conservation and artistic vitality for communities in the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Our mission and how we work

All SC Lowcountry articles

Foundation completes Grantee Perception Study 4/11/2007

The Center for Effective Philanthropy carries out confidential blind surveys of a foundation’s recent grantees as well as declined grant seekers, and analyzes the results both in isolation and in comparison to other foundations. GDDF participated in a sur

Conservation Loan Fund a key resource for Lowcountry groups 6/30/2004

Conservation organizations often have their eyes on a valuable property—but may not always be able to access needed funds quickly enough to purchase it. The Lowcountry Conservation Loan Fund addresses this need by providing valuable interim funding for co

Trying for thoughtful and effective work 12/9/2003

The foundation has made changes to build closer relationships with the groups that it supports.

Arts groups define niches in SC Lowcountry 7/25/2003

There is plenty of art beyond Charleston in South Carolina's Lowcountry thanks to determined efforts by individuals and organizations.

Life of a proposal: The inside story 6/23/2003

Follow the path of a proposal from arrival to that all-important board decision.

Avoiding foundation-speak and its systemic outcomes 5/16/2003

Plain language about the foundation's desire to support special projects in Environmental Education and Community Welfare.

Trips draw teachers into environmental network 5/15/2003

A new network is bringing educators together around environmental education.

Students share nature trail with slide show 5/9/2003

Students at Colleton Middle School tell about the nature trail they built. Check it out.

Teachers network to boost environmental education 2/20/2003

Educators in Colleton County, SC, are sharing resources and ideas to bring their students closer to the local environment.

Fifty Years of Philanthropy 12/16/2002

Historian Cullom Davis researched and wrote a short history of the foundation's first 50 years.

A little history: In 1952, this foundation was born 12/1/2002

Fifty years ago at a meeting that took less than 20 minutes, this foundation made its first four grants totaling $2,900. Since that small beginning the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation has grown into a much larger grantmaking institution, but its

A forest tour with Coy Johnston 11/4/2002

A foundation board member talks about trees, marshes and conservation easements.

Why another web site? For your needs - and ours 10/10/2002

The site fosters communication and builds knowledge about areas supported by the foundation.

Squids and kids: Hands-on way to reach youth 9/20/2002

A lot of environmental resources are available to teachers in South Carolina’s Colleton County, and Janet Strickland is taking full advantage of them. She has dissected squid with summer camp students, collaborated with museum staff on how to improve teac

New digs down South for Art Forms 8/5/2002

After years renting space, a Charleston, SC, theatre finds a home in the community.

Artisans center opens doors for SC artists 6/7/2002

Hundreds of South Carolina artists find an outlet - and an audience - in the town of Walterboro.

Welcome to our new website 5/18/2002

Welcome to the new Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation website.

On ocean's edge, diverse human and natural communities 5/7/2002

The foundation supports projects throughout the nine county South Carolina Lowcountry.

In South Carolina, two victories on land use 5/7/2002

Citizen education has been central to two recent land-use victories.

Remembering Dorothy Donnelley 4/5/2002

Foundation namesake Dorothy Donnelley died on February 3, 2002.