Robert L And Kathrina H Maclellan Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,000,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only process)
• Decision Time: 2 months (for complete proposals with minimal questions)
• Grant Range: $50 - $350,000
• Median Grant: $50,000
• Geographic Focus: Chattanooga, Tennessee area (local focus)

Contact Details

Address: 820 Broad St Ste 300, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Website: www.maclellan.net (shared with Maclellan Family Foundations)

Application Portal: Online submissions only at www.maclellan.net

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Contact information for specific program inquiries is available through their website.

Overview

The Robert L. and Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation was incorporated in 1972 by Mrs. Robert Llewellyn Maclellan, seeking to fulfill Robert's wish that his estate be used "for the benefit of our community and the needs of its people." With assets of approximately $54 million and annual charitable distributions of $4 million (2024), the foundation focuses exclusively on the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. The foundation's mission is to develop healthy leaders and organizations to inspire innovation that strengthens and transforms the community for the sake of God's kingdom, with a strategic emphasis on families, youth, and education. Led by President Robert H. (Scott) Maclellan since 1998, the foundation made 47 grants in 2024, demonstrating a commitment to deep community partnership rather than broad distribution. The foundation distinguishes itself through comprehensive support that goes beyond financial grants, including technical assistance, consulting services, and capacity building for nonprofit partners.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with a single grantmaking stream focused on local Chattanooga organizations. Recent grants (2024) ranged from $50 to $350,000 with a median of $50,000.

Application Method: Invitation only - organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals. The foundation identifies potential grantees through existing partnerships, collaboration with other funders, and research on areas of interest.

Priority Areas

Core Focus Areas:

• Families: Supporting family stability and strengthening initiatives, including programs like First Things First (working to reduce divorce and out-of-wedlock births in Chattanooga)
• Youth and Children: Youth education programs, literacy initiatives, and holistic development
• Education: Literacy growth, elementary and secondary education, graduate and professional education, particularly Christian education institutions

Supported Fields:

• Child welfare services
• Evangelical Christian ministries
• Leadership development
• Community transformation and redemption
• Holistic community outreach programs

Strategic Approach: The foundation provides financial and leadership resources to foster biblical Christian values in the Chattanooga community and meet practical and spiritual needs, primarily accomplished through faith-based ministries.

What They Don't Fund

Organizational Types:

• 509(a)(3) supporting organizations
• Private foundations
• 501(c)(4) organizations
• For-profit organizations
• Foreign organizations (unless with equivalency determination)
• Individuals

Project Types:

• Capital campaigns
• Building projects
• Individual field workers
• Individual churches or schools
• Scholarships for individuals
• Geographically narrow projects
• Political or lobbying activities

Governance and Leadership

President and Chairman: Robert H. (Scott) Maclellan (38 hours/week, $245,000 compensation) - assumed leadership in 1998 from Kathrina H. Maclellan

Board Structure: The foundation maintains a small board with the Chairman serving substantially more hours than other board members, who typically serve 1 hour per week with no compensation.

Historical Leadership: The foundation continues the legacy of Thomas Maclellan, who immigrated to Chattanooga from Scotland in 1892 and made "a covenant with God" in 1857, dedicating his life and business proceeds to serving God. This covenant remains foundational to the family's philanthropic approach across generations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Maclellan Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, requests, or letters of inquiry via mail, email, phone, or any other method.

How Grants Are Made:

• By invitation only - the foundation provides formal invitations to apply via email with a direct link
• Organizations are identified through existing partnerships, collaboration with other funders, and the foundation's own research on areas of interest
• The foundation primarily grants to existing partners and can only fund a small portion of proposals from new organizations
• Invitations are based on alignment with strategic granting priorities and availability of grant funds

Eligibility Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) public charity status (specifically 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) classifications)
• Some foreign organizations with "equivalency determination" may qualify
• Fiscal sponsor arrangements are accepted if the sponsor has proper 501(c)(3) status
• Only individuals authorized by central organizational leadership can submit applications

Getting on Their Radar

The Foundation's Discovery Process: The foundation identifies potential grantees through:

• Existing partnerships: The foundation primarily works with organizations already in their network
• Collaboration with other funders: They partner with other Chattanooga-area foundations and funders to identify high-impact organizations
• Research on strategic interest areas: Foundation staff conduct research on organizations working in families, youth, and education in Chattanooga

Specific Strategies Based on Foundation's Approach:

• Demonstrate local impact: The foundation's vision is "to see the Chattanooga area reflect the peace, fruitfulness, and glory of Christ" - organizations making measurable community impact in Chattanooga are more likely to be noticed
• Connect through funded organizations: The foundation provides technical assistance to grantees through partnerships (e.g., Catchafire for volunteer consulting, Ochs Center for assessments) - these partner organizations may provide connections
• Participate in community collaborations: The foundation has partnered with the Chattanooga Chamber Foundation on literacy initiatives and supports holistic community development efforts where multiple organizations work together
• Alignment with faith-based values: The foundation explicitly supports Evangelical Christian ministries - organizations with clear Christian foundations and biblical values are central to their mission

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

• For complete proposals with minimal questions: approximately 2 months to receive an official determination
• For proposals with significant questions: longer timeframe dependent on completeness of request, program staff satisfaction with the project, and time to reach final decision

Payment Timeline:

• Typical timeframe: 4-6 weeks after official notification of grant approval
• For grants with special requirements (e.g., matching grants): timeframe varies

Notification Method: Official notification sent by foundation staff

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. The foundation made 47 grants in 2024 from an invitation-only pool of applicants. The likelihood of receiving an invitation is described as dependent on alignment with strategic granting priorities and available funds, with the foundation noting they "primarily grant to existing partners and can only fund a small portion of proposals from new organizations."

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting period is publicly documented. Since applications are by invitation only, reapplication would require receiving a new invitation from the foundation.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Alignment with Mission: The foundation evaluates each partnership according to "how closely it aligns with their current priorities, values, and the funds available." Organizations must demonstrate clear connection to:

• Developing healthy leaders and organizations
• Inspiring innovation in community transformation
• Biblical Christian values and faith-based approaches
• Focus on families, youth, and/or education in Chattanooga

Proven Track Record with Recent Funded Projects

Education Examples:

• Chattanooga Chamber Foundation ($350,000, 2024): Youth education and literacy growth - the foundation "paid for consulting services to work in collaboration with the local department of education, to support a community-wide effort to increase literacy"
• King University ($320,000, 2024): Operating support - previously, Maclellan "greatly furthered progress toward the $50 million goal by offering a $12 million challenge grant" for the Building Meaningful Lives Campaign

Community Services:

• United Methodist Neighborhood Centers ($300,000, 2024): Community outreach and holistic services
• First Things First: Family stability organization working to reduce divorce and out-of-wedlock births in Chattanooga - "The Maclellan Foundation was there from the beginning, providing the majority of the foundation's budget"

Comprehensive Support Approach: The foundation values organizations that can benefit from more than just financial support:

• Partnered with Catchafire to provide volunteer consultant work to ministry partners with capacity needs
• Partnered with consultants to provide coaching and strategic planning
• Partnered with the Ochs Center to complete comprehensive assessments (e.g., reentry programs at Hamilton County Sheriff's Department)

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Capacity for Growth: Organizations should be positioned to benefit from technical assistance, consulting, and capacity building beyond the grant itself

Community Collaboration: Projects that involve partnership with other organizations or support community-wide initiatives (like the literacy collaboration) align with foundation values

Faith Integration: Since the foundation's purpose is to "foster biblical Christian values in the community and meet practical and spiritual needs, primarily accomplished through faith-based ministries," clear Christian mission and values are essential

Long-term Partnership Potential: The foundation values "healthy, effective, and interconnected" ministries equipped for "maximum impact in a sustained way" - demonstrating sustainability and long-term vision is important

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only structure means relationship building is critical - you cannot apply directly, so focus on demonstrating impact in Chattanooga's families/youth/education sectors where the foundation conducts research
• Chattanooga focus is absolute - this foundation serves only the local community with the vision "to see the Chattanooga area reflect the peace, fruitfulness, and glory of Christ"
• Faith-based mission is non-negotiable - organizations must share commitment to Evangelical Christian values and biblical approaches to community transformation
• Think beyond the grant - the foundation offers technical assistance, consulting, and capacity building; organizations that can articulate how they would use comprehensive support may be more attractive partners
• Median grant is $50,000 - while grants ranged up to $350,000 in 2024, most grants cluster around the median, so budget requests should be realistic
• Existing partners are prioritized - as a new organization, understand that the foundation "primarily grants to existing partners" and can only fund "a small portion of proposals from new organizations"
• Collaborative projects may have advantage - the foundation's support for community-wide literacy efforts and partnerships with other funders suggests collaborative initiatives align with their strategic approach

References

1. Maclellan Foundation official website, www.maclellan.net (accessed January 2025)
2. "Our Foundations," Robert L. & Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation, https://rlkhmaclellan.net/our-foundations/ (accessed January 2025)
3. "FAQ," Maclellan Foundation, https://maclellan.net/faq/ (accessed January 2025)
4. "Robert L And Kathrina H Maclellan Foundation," ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237159802 (accessed January 2025)
5. "Robert L and Kathrina H Maclellan Foundation Profile," Grantmakers.io, https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/237159802-robert-l-and-kathrina-h-maclellan-foundation/ (accessed January 2025)
6. "History," Maclellan Foundation, https://maclellan.net/history/ (accessed January 2025)
7. "What is my likelihood of receiving a formal invitation to apply?" Maclellan Foundation Support, https://maclellan.net/support/what-is-my-likelihood-of-receiving-a-formal-invitation-to-apply (accessed January 2025)
8. Form 990-PF Tax Returns (2023, 2024), Robert L. and Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation, EIN 23-7159802