John A. McNeice Jr. Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,302,280 (2024)
• Total Assets: $71.4 million
• Grant Range: Varies widely
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts
• EIN: 04-3371560

Contact Details

• Website: mcneicefoundation.org
• Phone: 617-248-4045
• Address: c/o Choate, PO Box 961019, Boston, MA 02196-1019
• EIN: 04-3371560

Overview

The John A. McNeice Jr. Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1997 in Massachusetts. Founded by John A. McNeice Jr., former CEO and Chairman of the Colonial Group of mutual funds, and his wife Margarete, the foundation continues their legacy of Catholic philanthropy in the Boston area.

John McNeice was a Boston College graduate (Class of 1954) and served on the boards of numerous Catholic organisations including Boston College, Boston College High School, and the Archdiocese of Boston Finance Council. John passed away on 11 April 2021, and Margarete passed away on 19 December 2017.

The foundation is led by the McNeice family and continues its philanthropic vision.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation makes distributions primarily to support:

1. The Catholic Faith and Mission of the Catholic Church - Supporting parishes, diocesan initiatives, and Catholic organisations
2. Education of Young People - Both spiritual and intellectual development, with strong emphasis on Catholic schools
3. Those Unable to Support Themselves - Charitable organisations serving vulnerable populations

The foundation has shown particular affinity for:

• Catholic schools in Massachusetts
• Organisations with existing relationships to the foundation
• Institutions that align with Catholic values

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations located outside Massachusetts (grants are rarely paid to out-of-state entities)
• Non-Catholic or secular organisations (primary focus is Roman Catholic Church-related)
• Organisations without clear, immediate plans for using granted funds
• Applicants lacking clean and compliant financial reports, budgets, and tax records

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees including family members and advisers.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation operates a two-stage application process:

Stage 1 - Preliminary Application:

1. Request or download the preliminary application from the foundation's website (mcneicefoundation.org)
2. Complete and return the application by the end of the first month in the application cycle
3. Trustees and advisers review all preliminary applications

Stage 2 - Final Application (By Invitation Only):

1. If selected from preliminary review, applicants receive an invitation to submit a final application
2. Only invited applicants may submit final applications

Application Cycles

The foundation reviews preliminary applications on a quarterly basis:

• Cycle 1: October - January
• Cycle 2: April - July

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made within the quarterly review cycles. Preliminary applications submitted by month-end are reviewed in that cycle, with invitations for final applications extended to selected applicants.

Success Factors for Application

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Clear and immediate intentions for using granted funds
• Clean and compliant financial reports
• Sound budgets and tax records
• Alignment with the foundation's three primary goals

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented preferences and recent grant-making patterns:

Strong Alignment with Catholic Mission: The foundation prioritises organisations that embody Catholic values and support the Catholic faith.

Existing Relationships Matter: The foundation appears to favour organisations with existing relationships. Building a relationship before seeking major grants may be advantageous.

Financial Accountability: The foundation explicitly requires "clean and compliant financial reports, budgets, and tax records." Financial transparency is essential.

Massachusetts Location: Grants are "rarely paid to organisations located outside Massachusetts." Being based in Massachusetts is nearly essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Catholic identity is essential - This foundation exclusively supports Catholic organisations. Secular organisations should not apply.

2. Massachusetts focus is strict - Out-of-state organisations are very rarely funded. Massachusetts-based Catholic organisations have by far the best prospects.

3. Build relationships first - The foundation appears to favour organisations with existing relationships. Consider starting with smaller asks or introductions before pursuing major grants.

4. Two-stage process requires patience - Preliminary applications are screened before invitations for full applications are issued. Not all preliminaries advance.

5. Demonstrate financial health - Clean financial records, budgets, and tax compliance are explicitly required. Ensure organisational finances are in order before applying.

6. Emphasise youth education - The foundation has particular affinity for Catholic schools and youth development programmes.

References

• McNeice Foundation Official Website
• Instrumentl 990 Report - John A McNeice Jr Charitable Foundation
• Grantmakers.io Profile - John A McNeice Jr Charitable Foundation
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - John A McNeice Jr Charitable Foundation
• Cause IQ - John A McNeice Jr Charitable Foundation