Maguire Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $16,514,829 (2023)
• Total Assets: $10,751,478 (2024)
• Number of Awards: 82 grants (2023)
• Grant Range: Individual scholarships to $10 million+ institutional grants
• Geographic Focus: Mid-Atlantic region, primarily Pennsylvania (especially Philadelphia area)
• Application Process: No unsolicited proposals accepted

Contact Details

Address: 300 Four Falls Corporate Center, 300 Conshohocken State Road, Suite 405, West Conshohocken, PA 19428

Phone: 484-344-5010
Fax: 484-344-5071
Email: info@maguirefoundation.org
Website: maguirefoundation.org

Overview

The Maguire Foundation was established in October 2000 by James J. Maguire '58 (Saint Joseph's University) and his late wife Frances M. Maguire (1935-2020), an accomplished artist and arts advocate. With total assets of approximately $10.8 million and annual giving exceeding $16.5 million in 2023, the foundation operates with an investor's approach to philanthropy. Rooted in the Jesuit teachings of St. Ignatius Loyola that "we are men and women for others," the foundation builds a network of partners to support education in the arts and humanities and to alleviate hunger and homelessness. The foundation is currently led by President and CEO Megan Maguire Nicoletti (daughter of the founders, serving since 2012). James J. Maguire, founder of Philadelphia Insurance Company (later merged with Tokio Marine Group in one of the largest transactions for financial firms in Japanese history), is a Horatio Alger Award recipient who has made lifetime philanthropic gifts totaling nearly $85 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education - Maguire Scholars Program: The foundation's flagship program funds more than 1,000 scholarships for students at 24 elementary schools, 35 high schools, and 28 universities in the mid-Atlantic region. The program provides "last dollar" scholarship support for four years of matriculation, with scholars required to maintain good academic standing (3.0 GPA) and demonstrate financial need (Expected Family Contribution of $0-$25,000).

• High School Scholarships: $3,000 per year for four years of high school attendance at Archdiocesan and partner schools. The foundation committed $7 million over seven years to Faith in the Future supporting 215 freshmen and sophomores.

• Pre-K through 1st Grade: $2.5 million gift (2019) funded 2,000 new scholarships through the Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP)

• University Partnerships: Last-dollar scholarship support to partner universities including Saint Joseph's University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Neumann University, Widener University, La Salle University, and Penn State University

Major Institutional Grants: The foundation makes transformative gifts to educational and cultural institutions, typically ranging from $1 million to $50 million:

• $50 million to Saint Joseph's University (largest gift in the university's 166-year history)
• $10 million gifts to both Gwynedd Mercy University (Healthcare Innovation Center, 2022) and Woodmere Art Museum (2022)
• $20 million lead gift to Saint Joseph's University for athletics complex (2021)
• $1.25 million to both Widener University (2014) and La Salle University (2016) for scholarships
• $1 million to Cabrini University for Nursing (2020)

Priority Areas

Education: Primary focus on education at all levels from Pre-K through university, with particular emphasis on students demonstrating financial need and academic achievement. Strong commitment to Catholic education and Jesuit institutions.

Arts & Humanities: Support for museums, cultural institutions, and arts education. Frances M. Maguire's legacy as an artist who trained at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Vermont Studio Center drives this priority. The foundation supports institutions like Woodmere Art Museum, the Frances M. Maguire Art Museum at Saint Joseph's University, and the Frances M. Maguire Pre-College Program at PAFA.

Hunger & Homelessness: Long-standing partnership with Project HOME and Sister Mary Scullion to end chronic homelessness in Philadelphia through permanent supportive housing and educational opportunities. Supported projects include the Maguire Residence in Kensington, St. John's Hospice, and Francis House of Peace in Chinatown.

What They Don't Fund

While explicit exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's pattern shows concentration on:

• Mid-Atlantic region (particularly Philadelphia and surrounding areas)
• Catholic and Jesuit-affiliated organizations
• Established partner institutions rather than new relationships

Organizations outside these areas or without existing connections to the foundation are unlikely to receive funding given their no unsolicited proposals policy.

Governance and Leadership

Founders:

• James J. Maguire, Sr. (Class of 1958, Saint Joseph's University): President and co-founder. Born in 1934 in Philadelphia, overcame dyslexia with help from Father Guthrie at SJU. Founded Maguire Insurance Agency (1960) and Philadelphia Insurance Company (early 1980s), which went public in 1993 and employed 1,600 people in 50 offices before merging with Tokio Marine Group in 2008. Horatio Alger Award recipient and author of autobiography "Just Show Up Every Day."

• Frances M. Maguire (1935-2020): Co-founder and accomplished artist. Graduate of Merion Mercy High School and Gwynedd Mercy College. Studied painting and sculpture at Cheltenham Art Center, Vermont Studio Center, and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Created colorful abstract canvases and sculpted busts. Received honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Saint Joseph's University in 2014.

Current Leadership:

• Megan Maguire Nicoletti: President and CEO (serving since 2012), daughter of founders
• Christopher Maguire: Director and board member, founder and President of 1251 Capital Group

Foundation Philosophy: According to Sister Mary Scullion of Project HOME: "The Maguire family have been transformational partners in ending chronic homelessness in Philadelphia through their support of educational opportunities and permanent supportive housing."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Maguire Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states they are "not currently accepting unsolicited proposals."

Grants are awarded based on:

• Board and trustee discretion
• Pre-existing relationships with partner institutions
• Strategic initiatives identified by foundation leadership
• Long-term partnerships (e.g., 20-year relationship with Project HOME)

Getting on Their Radar

The Maguire Foundation operates through established relationships rather than open application cycles. Based on their documented partnerships:

Connection to Saint Joseph's University: James J. Maguire's deep ties to SJU (Class of 1958, nearly $85 million in lifetime giving) suggest that alumni networks and Jesuit educational connections are important pathways.

Catholic and Jesuit Networks: The foundation's emphasis on Catholic schools (through CSFP and Faith in the Future partnerships), Archdiocesan high schools, and universities like Saint Joseph's, Gwynedd Mercy, and La Salle indicates that Catholic institutional networks are key relationship channels.

Board Member Connections: Christopher Maguire serves on multiple boards. Organizations where Maguire family members serve as trustees or board members may have increased visibility.

Philadelphia-area Presence: The foundation's 20-year partnership with Project HOME began through a connection with Sister Mary Scullion. Being an established, mission-driven organization serving the Philadelphia region with strong leadership and demonstrated impact appears important.

Arts and Cultural Sector: Given Frances Maguire's background, organizations connected to Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia museums, and arts education may have natural affinity.

Decision Timeline

No public information available on decision timelines, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis by trustees based on strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process. However, the foundation demonstrates strong loyalty to partner organizations, with multi-year commitments common (e.g., seven-year, $7 million commitment to Faith in the Future; four-year scholarship commitments to students).

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, these factors are based on their documented funding patterns and stated priorities:

Strong Educational Mission with Demonstrated Impact: The foundation seeks partners who are "building a strong foundation for success" through education. Partner institutions must demonstrate ability to serve students with financial need while maintaining academic standards.

Catholic and Jesuit Values Alignment: The foundation's mission statement references St. Ignatius Loyola's principle of being "men and women for others." Organizations that embody this service-oriented, Jesuit-inspired mission align with foundation values.

Philadelphia/Mid-Atlantic Regional Focus: The vast majority of grants go to organizations serving Philadelphia and the surrounding mid-Atlantic region. Organizations outside this geography are rarely funded.

Eligibility Requirements for Scholars Program Partners: Student eligibility includes demonstrated financial need, academic benchmarks, active participation in school activities, and community involvement.

Investor's Approach to Philanthropy: The foundation explicitly states it operates with "an investor's approach," suggesting they seek measurable outcomes, sustainability, and strategic impact rather than one-off projects.

Arts and Humanities that Celebrate Creativity: Organizations that "develop imaginative minds and celebrate people's creativity to build awareness and appreciation for the artistic spirit" align with Frances Maguire's legacy.

Hunger and Homelessness Focus on Systemic Solutions: Partnership with Project HOME emphasizes "permanent supportive housing" and "educational opportunities" rather than emergency services alone, suggesting preference for sustainable solutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. All grants are made through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships.

• Long-term partner relationships are the norm: The foundation maintains decades-long partnerships (e.g., 20 years with Project HOME) and makes multi-year commitments, suggesting they value depth over breadth in grantmaking.

• Strong regional focus on Philadelphia: Organizations serving the mid-Atlantic region, particularly the Philadelphia area and surrounding suburbs, receive the vast majority of funding.

• Catholic/Jesuit connections matter: The foundation's roots in Jesuit education (James Maguire's transformative experience at Saint Joseph's University) and support for Catholic schools indicate these networks are important relationship channels.

• Range from individual scholarships to multi-million dollar institutional gifts: The foundation operates at multiple scales—from $3,000 individual student scholarships to $50 million transformational institutional gifts—but all serve the core mission of education, arts, and alleviating hunger/homelessness.

• "Investor's approach" suggests focus on outcomes: Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate measurable impact and sustainability when engaged with the foundation.

• Family legacy continues through next generation: With Megan Maguire Nicoletti as President/CEO since 2012, the foundation maintains continuity of values while potentially being open to new strategic directions under her leadership.

References

• Maguire Foundation official website: https://maguirefoundation.org/ (accessed January 2025)
• Contact page: https://maguirefoundation.org/contact/ (accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Maguire Foundation (EIN 23-3057805): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/233057805 (accessed January 2025)
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Maguire Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MAGU006 (accessed January 2025)
• Cause IQ - Maguire Foundation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/maguire-foundation,233057805/ (accessed January 2025)
• Saint Joseph's University: "James and Frances Maguire Make Transformative Gift of $50 Million to Saint Joseph's University" https://www.sju.edu/news/james-and-frances-maguire-make-transformative-gift-50-million-saint-josephs-university (accessed January 2025)
• Horatio Alger Association: "James J. Maguire, Sr." member profile https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/james-j-maguire-sr/ (accessed January 2025)
• Chestnut Hill Local: "Wyndmoor philanthropist, artist Frances Maguire dies at 84" https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/wyndmoor-philanthropist-artist-frances-maguire-dies-at-84,13757 (accessed January 2025)
• Saint Joseph's University: "In Memory: Frances M. Maguire (1935-2020)" https://www.sju.edu/news/memory-frances-m-maguire-1935-2020 (accessed January 2025)
• Project HOME: "Spirit of Generosity: Maguire Foundation" https://www.projecthome.org/news/spirit-generosity-maguire-foundation (accessed January 2025)
• Archdiocese of Philadelphia: "Archdiocesan High School Students Honored at Maguire Foundation Scholars' Celebration" https://archphila.org/archdiocesan-high-school-students-honored-at-maguire-foundation-scholars-celebration/ (accessed January 2025)
• Villanova University: "Villanova University Announces the Election of Five New Members to its Board of Trustees" https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/media/pressreleases/2022/villanova-announces-election-of-five-new-trustees.html (accessed January 2025)