McCune Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $42,730,959 (2023)
Average Grant Size: $480,123 (2023)
Total Grants Awarded: 89 (2023)
Grant Range: Up to $750,000+ (Sunset grants)
Geographic Focus: 14 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania
Application Method: Invitation only
Foundation Sunset: October 2029

Contact Details

Address: 3 PPG Place, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-644-8779
Email: info@mccune.org
Website: https://www.mccune.org/

Key Contacts:

Valerie L. Fahrny, Grants Manager (for Sunset grant inquiries)
Program Officers available for organizations with prior grant history

Overview

The McCune Foundation was established in 1979 by the will of Charles L. McCune, who served as Director of The Union National Bank of Pittsburgh for 56 years, including as President (1945-1972) and Chairman until his death. The Foundation was created as a limited-life foundation, designed to exist for fifty years after Mr. McCune's death, with a planned sunset date of October 2029. The Foundation's broad mission is to support nonprofit organizations that advance the quality of life for the people of southwestern Pennsylvania by fostering community vitality and economic growth. In 2023, the Distribution Committee disbursed 89 grants totaling approximately $43 million, with 66% of all grants and 92% of all dollars dedicated to their Sunset Strategy. The Foundation focuses on four core areas: Education, Human Services, Humanities, and Civic advancement. In 2012, McCune ended distribution outside Pennsylvania and now devotes 100% of grantmaking to southwestern Pennsylvania organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Sunset Grants (Primary Investment Vehicle)

Up to $750,000: Fully expendable awards supporting timely and impactful opportunities for organizations, often targeted toward sustainability investments and strategic operational growth over multi-year periods
Over $750,000: Available to select organizations with at least 75% of the awarded total required to exist in perpetuity (endowment, revolving fund, or reserve fund), while up to 25% can be expended. Must be grounded in a sustainable funding model.

Standard Grants (Evolution Support)

Concept Testing: Multi-year funding for piloting strategic opportunities to evaluate and refine ideas
Readiness Grants: Support for business model changes and infrastructure needs to strengthen organizations before possible Sunset grant applications
Standard grants are tailored to an organization's specific needs and unique operating context, for one or multiple years

Nonprofit Executive Sabbatical Grants

Up to $75,000 per organization (joint program with Richard King Mellon Foundation)
Covers three-month sabbaticals for high-performing nonprofit executives
Includes professional development opportunities for senior staff
Administered by POISE Foundation
By invitation only

Priority Areas

The Foundation historically focused on four broad areas, though current Sunset Strategy has evolved beyond these categories:

Education
Human Services
Humanities
Civic advancement

Geographic focus: 14 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland)

What They Don't Fund

Due to the Foundation's sunset timeline approaching in 2029, they are unlikely to fund:

Organizations with no prior relationship to the Foundation
Capital campaigns or facility/endowment investments (except through structured Sunset grants)
Ongoing program or operating support (shifting focus to final transformational investments)
New expansions unless directly tied to core mission and revenue-generating long-term sustainability

Governance and Leadership

Distribution Committee (Board):

Michael M. Edwards, Chair and Director
Laurel S. Randi, Executive Director
Ronald R. Davenport, Jr., Director
Adam B. Edwards, Director
John H. Edwards, Director
Laura E. Ellsworth, Director
Sarah McCune Losinger, Director
James C. Roddey, Director
James P. McDonald, Director

Staff:

Laurel S. Randi, Executive Director (also serves as Program Officer)
Stephanie K. McCarthy, Senior Program Officer
Michele A. Krugh, Program Associate
Valerie L. Fahrny, Grants Manager
Rachel E. Cypher, Administrative Services

Leadership Philosophy: As noted by leadership, Charles McCune "left us a legacy less of what to do, and more of how to do it...his style of dealing with people and with challenges would be described as purposeful, simple, and direct."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This Foundation does not have a public application process. Applications for both Standard and Sunset grant categories are by invitation only.

For Organizations with Prior Grant History:

The Grantee Portal is available only to existing grantees
Organizations with a grant history who wish to submit new inquiries should contact their Program Officer to discuss next steps
For Sunset grant inquiries specifically, contact Grants Manager Valerie Fahrny

For Organizations Without Prior Relationship: As the Foundation approaches its October 2029 sunset, they have narrowed their focus to nonprofits that have received more than $1 million in total grants from them throughout their history. There are over 100 grantees on this list. The Foundation will not accept unsolicited applications from organizations without an existing relationship.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and vary based on grant type and organizational context. The Foundation emphasizes relationship-based grantmaking: "There are no shortcuts to quality grantmaking. Our program officers each must maintain a relationship with our partners...lengthy discussions need to occur to determine each organization's current strengths, weaknesses and needs."

Grant awards are typically made in Spring cycles, including training mini-grants, sponsorships, and discretionary grants.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In recent years:

2023: 89 new and conditional grants awarded
2021: 109 awards
2020: 125 awards

Success rates cannot be calculated as the total number of proposals considered is not published, and the invitation-only process means organizations are pre-qualified before formal applications.

Reapplication Policy

Given the invitation-only structure and sunset timeline, formal reapplication policies are less relevant. Organizations with existing relationships work directly with their assigned Program Officers to discuss ongoing or new funding opportunities.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For (based on leadership statements and documented priorities):

Execution Capability: The Foundation seeks "organizations with good ideas and the ability to execute them," reflecting Charles McCune's original investment philosophy of providing capital to capable leaders.
Quality Over Legacy: Leadership has stated that "new applicants with outstanding proposals are much more likely to receive support than old favorites that merely put in lazy requests for an annual subsidy."
Alignment with Sunset Strategy: As of 2023, 92% of all grant dollars support the Sunset Strategy. Proposals must align with one of the following:
- Sunset Grants: Final, transformational investments in organizational sustainability
- Concept Testing: Piloting strategic opportunities with potential for long-term impact
- Readiness: Building organizational infrastructure and business model strength
- Ending Well: Completing initiatives already underway with quality outcomes
Relationship and Context: Each Sunset grant is unique, "guided by the organization's history with the Foundation, its specific needs and opportunities, and the local context."
Sustainability Focus: Particularly for larger Sunset grants, proposals must demonstrate grounding in sustainable funding models such as endowments, revolving funds, or reserve funds.
Purposeful, Simple, and Direct Approach: Reflecting the founder's style, the Foundation values straightforward communication and purposeful planning.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-Only Access: Unless your organization already has a significant relationship with McCune Foundation (ideally $1M+ in historical grants), new funding opportunities are not available as the Foundation approaches its 2029 sunset.
Sunset Strategy Dominates: 92% of grant dollars now go to Sunset Strategy initiatives. If you have an existing relationship, position proposals within this framework—emphasizing final transformational impact, sustainability, or organizational readiness.
Think Big for Final Investments: With average grant sizes of $480,123 and Sunset grants up to $750,000+, the Foundation is making substantial final investments in partner organizations. Small-scale or incremental requests are less aligned with current priorities.
Focus on Execution, Not Ideas Alone: The Foundation's philosophy emphasizes capability—demonstrate not just what you want to do, but your proven ability to execute at scale.
Emphasize Permanence Where Possible: For larger Sunset grants (over $750,000), at least 75% must create permanent value through endowments, revolving funds, or reserves. Structure proposals accordingly.
Leverage Existing Program Officer Relationships: If you have grant history, your Program Officer is your primary point of contact. These relationships are central to McCune's approach: "lengthy discussions need to occur to determine each organization's current strengths, weaknesses and needs."
Geographic Eligibility is Strict: Only organizations working in the 14 specified southwestern Pennsylvania counties are eligible. National organizations must demonstrate clear regional impact.

References

McCune Foundation Official Website. "Home." https://www.mccune.org/ (Accessed December 2024)
McCune Foundation. "Chairman's Statement." https://www.mccune.org/chairmansstatements (Accessed December 2024)
McCune Foundation. "Grants Program Overview." https://www.mccune.org/grantsprogramoverview (Accessed December 2024)
McCune Foundation. "Staff & Distribution Committee." https://www.mccune.org/staff (Accessed December 2024)
McCune Foundation. "Foundation History." https://www.mccune.org/foundation-history (Accessed December 2024)
McCune Foundation. "Apply." https://www.mccune.org/apply (Accessed December 2024)
Grantmakers.io. "Profile - McCune Foundation." https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/256210269-mccune-foundation/ (Accessed December 2024)
Philanthropy News Digest. "McCune Foundation Begins Exit Strategy to Spend Down by 2029." https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/mccune-foundation-begins-exit-strategy-to-spend-down-by-2029 (Accessed December 2024)
Richard King Mellon Foundation. "Two Pittsburgh Foundations Join Forces to Launch Sabbatical Program for Local Nonprofit Executives." https://www.rkmf.org/news-and-events/two-pittsburgh-foundations-join-forces-to-launch-sabbatical-program-for-local-nonprofit-executives/ (Accessed December 2024)
Cause IQ. "McCune Foundation | Pittsburgh, PA." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mccune-foundation,256210269/ (Accessed December 2024)