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Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
Up to $1.5M00
00

Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,893,668 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $97.6 million (2020)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from smaller grants to major gifts of $1.5 million
  • Number of Awards: 66 grants (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $59,000
  • Geographic Focus: Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
  • Established: 1969

Contact Details

Address: 816 Ligonier Street, Suite 500, Latrobe, PA 15650

Alternative Address: P.O. Box 186, Latrobe, PA 15650

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a public website or published contact phone/email. Contact may need to be initiated by mail to the addresses above.

Overview

The Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Inc was established in 1969 as a private foundation and has been tax-exempt since December 1969. The foundation was created by Katherine Mabis McKenna, a well-known philanthropist educated in engineering drawing who was deeply committed to educational and cultural development in Westmoreland County. The foundation honors the memory of her son, Mennel, through its philanthropic work. With total assets of approximately $97.6 million and annual grant distributions of nearly $3.9 million, the foundation is one of the significant philanthropic institutions serving the Westmoreland County region. The foundation is a member of Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania and maintains a locally-oriented focus, concentrating its grantmaking primarily within Westmoreland County.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation gives primarily for:

  • Education: Higher education institutions, nursing programs, science education facilities, and educational infrastructure
  • Arts and Cultural Organizations: Support for cultural programs and facilities
  • Health: Hospital expansions, surgical facilities, and healthcare infrastructure
  • Community Development: Civic centers and community facilities
  • Environmental Organizations: Environmental programs and initiatives
  • Human Services: Social services and community support programs

Notable Grant Examples

Major Education Grants:

  • University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg: $1.5 million (2018) to support the nursing degree program and construction of the Life Sciences Building
  • Long-term support to Pitt-Greensburg since 1975, contributing to multiple building projects including the Student Center (now Chambers Hall), McKenna Hall, Frank A. Cassell Hall, and the Life Sciences Building

Healthcare:

  • Excela Health Latrobe Hospital: $1.5 million (2022) toward expansion of the Surgical Institute - representing the foundation's single largest grant to the health system

Cultural:

  • Original funding and design for the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center (1969), which now hosts over 550 events annually serving more than 100 organizations
  • Ongoing support to the Westmoreland Cultural Trust

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's geographic focus on Westmoreland County suggests that organizations outside this region are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees who manage the foundation's assets. Specific names of current trustees and leadership are not publicly available in standard nonprofit databases. The foundation maintains administrative operations from its Latrobe office.

Katherine Mabis McKenna, the foundation's namesake, was described as "a well-known philanthropist educated in engineering drawing" who created lasting impact through both her personal generosity during her lifetime and through the foundation that bears her name.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation does not have a public application process or published application guidelines. Information about application procedures, deadlines, and requirements is not available on public websites or through standard grant databases.

As a private foundation with a specific geographic focus on Westmoreland County, the foundation appears to make grants through:

  • Trustee discretion and identification of priority projects
  • Established relationships with organizations in Westmoreland County
  • Multi-year commitments to institutions (as evidenced by the long-term support to Pitt-Greensburg since 1975)

Organizations interested in seeking support from the foundation should contact the foundation directly at their Latrobe address to inquire about potential funding opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented. The foundation's grant patterns suggest that major capital projects may involve multi-year commitments and ongoing relationships.

Success Rates

With 66 grants awarded in 2023 from what is likely a larger pool of potential recipients, specific success rate information is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's history of ongoing support to organizations like Pitt-Greensburg (since 1975) and Excela Health suggests that successful grantees may receive continued support for different projects over time.

Application Success Factors

While specific application guidance is not publicly available, the foundation's grantmaking history reveals several patterns:

Geographic Alignment is Critical: The foundation maintains a strong local focus on Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. All documented grants support organizations and projects within this geographic area.

Capital Projects Receive Major Support: The foundation has provided substantial grants for building and infrastructure projects, including:

  • The $19.5 million Life Sciences Building at Pitt-Greensburg (foundation contributed $1.5 million)
  • The $1.5 million Surgical Institute expansion at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital
  • Multiple buildings at Pitt-Greensburg campus over nearly 50 years

Long-term Relationships Matter: The foundation's 50-year relationship with Pitt-Greensburg (starting in 1975) demonstrates that the foundation values ongoing partnerships with trusted organizations and may fund multiple projects with the same institution over time.

Community Impact and Legacy: Katherine Mabis McKenna's original vision emphasized educational and cultural development. Projects that create lasting community benefit and infrastructure, like the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center which now serves over 100 organizations annually, align with this legacy.

Education and Healthcare Are Priorities: The largest documented grants have supported nursing education, science facilities, and healthcare expansion - suggesting these are priority areas for significant funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Local focus is essential: The foundation concentrates exclusively on Westmoreland County, PA. Organizations outside this area should not apply.
  • No public application process: Contact the foundation directly by mail to explore potential funding opportunities.
  • Major capital projects receive significant support: The foundation has awarded grants of $1.5 million for infrastructure and facility expansion projects.
  • Long-term relationships yield results: The foundation's 50-year commitment to Pitt-Greensburg suggests that building a relationship over time can lead to multiple grants.
  • Cultural and educational legacy: Projects that honor Katherine Mabis McKenna's vision of educational and cultural development in Westmoreland County appear to align with foundation priorities.
  • Average grant size is approximately $59,000: With 66 grants totaling nearly $3.9 million in 2023, most grants are likely much smaller than the $1.5 million major gifts, suggesting the foundation supports a range of project sizes.
  • Healthcare infrastructure is a priority: Recent major support to Excela Health Latrobe Hospital indicates ongoing interest in healthcare facility development.

References

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