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Frank McHugh-Odonovan Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$5.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.4M

Frank McHugh-Odonovan Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 20-0842449
  • Annual Giving: $5,236,000 (2022)
  • Total Assets: $87 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely
  • Median Grant: $20,000 (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 32 (2024), 27 (2022), 43 (2021)
  • Geographic Focus: Delaware primary focus, with grants also in California
  • Application Process: No unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Road, Suite 123 Wilmington, DE 19809

EIN: 20-0842449

Note: The foundation uses Foundation Source as its administrative service provider. No official website or direct contact information is publicly available.

Overview

The Frank McHugh-Odonovan Foundation Inc was established in August 2004 as a Delaware-based private independent foundation. With total assets of approximately $87 million as of 2024, the foundation focuses primarily on enhancing educational opportunities for children and serves communities in the State of Delaware. The foundation is governed by family members including Patricia McHugh (Director, CEO), Celina McHugh (Director), and Theresa M McHugh (Director, Secretary, VP), none of whom receive compensation for their service.

The foundation has demonstrated a commitment to both local Delaware communities and broader philanthropic initiatives, including becoming a partner to Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance) in 2021 with a $100,000 contribution to the Gavi COVAX AMC. While registered in Delaware, the foundation also makes grants in California, particularly in the Los Angeles area, indicating a bi-coastal focus that may reflect the trustees' personal connections and interests.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles or deadlines. Instead, it makes grants throughout the year to preselected charitable organizations.

Priority Areas

Based on available Form 990-PF filings and publicly reported grants, the foundation supports:

Education (Primary Focus)

  • Educational opportunities for children
  • Schools and educational institutions
  • Scholarships
  • Example: St. Genevieve High School (Delaware)

Environmental Conservation

  • Nature conservation projects
  • Environmental protection initiatives
  • Example: The Nature Conservancy ($400,000 for San Andreas Corridor protection)
  • Example: Friends of the Los Angeles River ($200,000)

Arts and Culture

  • Theater and performing arts
  • Arts education
  • Example: Stella Adler Theatre ($160,000)

Youth Programs

  • Programs serving young people
  • Community support for youth

Other Charitable Activities

  • Example: Focusing Philanthropy Inc ($323,000)
  • International health initiatives (Gavi COVAX AMC - $100,000)

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation only makes contributions to preselected organizations, they do not fund:

  • Unsolicited grant requests
  • Organizations without pre-existing connections to the trustees
  • Projects outside their selected priority areas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Patricia McHugh - Director, CEO

  • Leads the foundation's operations
  • Serves without compensation

Celina McHugh - Director

  • Family member on the board
  • Serves without compensation

Theresa M McHugh - Director, Secretary, Vice President

  • Holds multiple leadership roles
  • Serves without compensation

The foundation operates as a family foundation with all leadership positions held by McHugh family members. The trustees maintain a hands-on approach to grantmaking, personally selecting beneficiary organizations rather than employing staff or accepting applications.

Some sources also reference Katherine Cadiente and Anna Johnson as trustees in earlier years, though current filings list the three McHugh family members above.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Frank McHugh-Odonovan Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. According to their official policy statement: "The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

This means the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with trustees identifying and selecting grant recipients based on their own research, relationships, and philanthropic interests.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not have an application process with defined timelines. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - as the foundation does not accept applications, there is no application success rate. The foundation made 32 grants in 2024, 27 grants in 2022, 43 grants in 2021, and 41 grants in 2020, indicating a relatively consistent level of grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot submit initial applications, so reapplication is not relevant.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Foundation's Approach

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, understanding their grantmaking patterns can be valuable:

Geographic Connections: The foundation supports organizations in both Delaware (their stated primary focus) and California (particularly Los Angeles area), suggesting trustees have strong connections to both regions. Organizations in these areas may be more likely to come to the foundation's attention.

Education Focus: The foundation's stated mission emphasizes "enhancing educational opportunities for children." Past grants to schools like St. Genevieve High School demonstrate this commitment. Educational institutions serving children and youth appear to be the core priority.

Environmental and Arts Interests: Despite the stated education focus, significant grants to environmental organizations (Nature Conservancy, Friends of the Los Angeles River) and arts institutions (Stella Adler Theatre) indicate trustees have diverse philanthropic interests beyond education.

Grant Size Variability: With a median grant of $20,000 but grants ranging from small amounts to $400,000+, the foundation adjusts funding levels based on the organization and project rather than fixed grant tiers.

Multi-Year Engagement: Organizations like St. Genevieve High School appear multiple times in available records, suggesting the foundation may develop ongoing relationships with selected beneficiaries rather than one-time grants.

Values Alignment: The foundation's support for Gavi's COVAX program demonstrates interest in global health equity and access issues, suggesting trustees value social justice and community benefit causes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. They exclusively fund preselected organizations.

  • Delaware Education Priority: Organizations focused on educational opportunities for children in Delaware are most aligned with the foundation's stated mission, though actual grants show broader interests.

  • Bi-Coastal Presence: The foundation makes grants in both Delaware and California (especially Los Angeles), reflecting trustee connections to both coasts.

  • Relationship-Based: All grants appear to stem from existing relationships or trustee-identified opportunities. Building relationships within communities where trustees are active may be the only path to consideration.

  • Diverse Portfolio: While education is the stated focus, environmental conservation and arts funding indicate trustees support causes they personally value across multiple sectors.

  • Substantial Assets, Selective Giving: With $87 million in assets but only 30+ grants annually, the foundation is highly selective. They have significant resources but choose to concentrate support among carefully chosen organizations.

  • Family Foundation Model: The all-family board structure means decisions are driven by personal values and connections rather than institutional criteria or professional staff recommendations.

References

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