Daniels Fund announces 2021 Class of Daniels Scholars

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News

March 22, 2021

Daniels Fund announces
2021 Class of Daniels Scholars

240 students selected for Daniels Scholarship Program

Complete list available at: DanielsFund.org/2021DanielsScholars

The Daniels Fund has announced the names of 240 high school seniors from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming who have earned a place in the Daniels Scholarship Program. Daniels Scholars demonstrate the strength of character, leadership potential, and a commitment to serving the community that will position them for success. They are selected because they possess these and other distinguishing qualities and values that were important to founder, Bill Daniels.

Nearly 2,000 students completed the application for the Daniels Scholarship Program. Of the 240 students selected as 2021 Daniels Scholars, 135 are from Colorado, 29 are from New Mexico, 37 are from Utah, and 39 are from Wyoming.

“The 2021 cohort is impressive and filled with outstanding young people who have promising futures ahead,” said Hanna Skandera, President and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “We’re delighted to have them join the family of Daniels Scholars and look forward to being a part of their journey through college and beyond.”

With this year’s announcement, approximately 4,600 students have received the Daniels Scholarship. At any given time, approximately 900 Daniels Scholars are attending nearly 200 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Since 2000, more than $220 million in scholarships has been awarded through the Daniels Scholarship Program.

Daniels Scholars may attend any accredited nonprofit college or university in the United States. The program covers up to $25,000 per year in educational expenses that remain after any other scholarships, financial aid, and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) have been applied.

Motivated high school seniors graduating in 2022 are encouraged to visit DanielsFund.org this fall to apply online for the Daniels Scholarship Program.

About the Daniels Fund

The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

Media Contact: Bruce Wilmsen
Direct: 720.941.4429
[email protected]

Hanna Skandera Appointed President & CEO of the Daniels Fund

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November 18, 2020

Hanna Skandera Appointed President & CEO of the Daniels Fund

The Daniels Fund Board of Directors is delighted to announce that Hanna Skandera has been named the organization’s President & CEO effective December 15. Skandera will succeed Hank Brown, who has served as Interim President & CEO since May 1.

Skandera has over two decades of executive leadership experience and a proven track record of impact in a variety of national and state-level private, public, and nonprofit organizations serving rural, suburban, and urban settings.

Hanna Skandera

“It’s an honor to be selected as the next leader of Bill Daniels’ foundation which has had a tremendous impact on the region,” said Hanna Skandera. “I am committed to honoring Bill Daniels’ vision and direction for the foundation and upholding the importance of his values. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build on and further his legacy and our impact.”

Skandera is a current member of the Daniels Fund board of directors and serves as CEO of Mile High Strategies. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Colorado Community College board as well as numerous other boards. Previously, she served as Secretary of Education for the State of New Mexico under Governor Susana Martinez, realizing the most significant gains for students in New Mexico’s recent history. In this role, she oversaw a budget of $2.7 billion and more than 300 employees. Skandera also served as Undersecretary for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Deputy Commissioner for Governor Jeb Bush, and Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor for U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.

Jim Nicholson, Chairman of the Board of the Daniels Fund, stated enthusiastically, “After a competitive nationwide search, the Daniels Fund board is very pleased to welcome Hanna Skandera as our new President and CEO. Hanna’s impressive qualifications and background make her the ideal leader to advance Bill Daniels’ vision, and the Daniels Fund’s work of helping people to have a better life, whether as scholarship recipients or beneficiaries of our grants.”

About the Daniels Fund

The Daniels Fund was established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels. It is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Since its founding in 2000, the Daniels Fund has granted nearly $1 billion to deserving organizations and scholars, while simultaneously growing the foundation’s endowment from $1 billion to more than $1.5 billion. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

Media Contact: Bruce Wilmsen
Direct: 720.941.4429
[email protected]

High school seniors in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming encouraged to apply for Daniels Scholarship

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News

October 1, 2020

High school seniors in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming encouraged to apply for Daniels Scholarship

DENVER — College-bound high school seniors in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming are encouraged to visit DanielsFund.org to apply for the Daniels Scholarship Program. The application will be open from October 1 through November 15, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. MST.

The Daniels Scholarship Program provides the opportunity for highly motivated students to earn a bachelor’s degree that helps them build a successful career and rewarding life. Daniels Scholars demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, and a commitment to serving their communities. Bill Daniels would also want his scholars to be proud Americans who value our free enterprise system and are prepared to give the world their very best shot.

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The goal of the program is to help each Daniels Scholar succeed in college and ultimately become independent, successful in a rewarding career, and actively engaged in their community.

The Daniels Scholarship Program provides a four-year college scholarship that is unique to each student and varies depending on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and their choice of school. The scholarship pays up to $25,000 per year toward the student’s unmet need, after applying their EFC, other scholarships, and financial aid.

Daniels Scholars may attend any accredited nonprofit college or university in the United States.

Scholar eligibility requirements:

  • Be a current high school senior graduating during the 2020-2021 academic year from a high school in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming.
  • Be a current resident of one of these four states and a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Earn a minimum 3.0 high school GPA (on an unweighted 4.0 scale).
  • Earn a minimum SAT Math score of 490 and a minimum Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 490, or a minimum ACT score of 18 in each category (writing score not required). Super scoring is not accepted.
    • For students who were unable to take the SAT or ACT due to COVID-19 cancellations, they are eligible to apply with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.3 in high school (on an unweighted 4.0 scale), and do not need to provide standardized test scores.
  • The applicant’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $85,000 or less on the 2019 tax return on which the applicant appears. For claimed dependents beyond the applicant, there is an allowance for an additional $5,000 for each dependent or $15,000 for each additional dependent in college full-time.

The Daniels Scholarship Program has provided more than $204 million in scholarships to over 4,350 students since the program was launched in 2000.

Images that are approved for use in coverage may be downloaded here.

About the Daniels Fund

The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

Media Contact: Bruce Wilmsen
Direct: 720.941.4429
[email protected]