James S McDonnell Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold proposal is not an option; the only route the filing describes is an invitation.
- If you have not been invited, your time is better spent on funders that take applications, and any real path to this one will depend on a relationship that leads to an invitation.
- Its science and education themes are the fit to demonstrate, and its filing shows grants mainly in Missouri and West Virginia, though no geographic focus is stated.
- Its median grant is $25,000, and about 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $10,000 and $390,000, with its largest grant about $5,750,000, so a request near $25,000 sits at the typical level.
- The filing shows 98% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, which points to a foundation that gives mostly through established relationships.
Overview
James S McDonnell Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Lincoln, MA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (wvgazettemail.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation describes its purpose as supporting scientific, educational and charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally. Its grant record shows general-support grants to public charities in a range of fields, including plant science, teacher education, libraries, environmental work, botanical gardens and zoos. The filed application information says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it gives no further application instructions.
Themes
- Science
- Education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Missouri and West Virginia.
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests; the filing gives no further application instructions.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 98% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 113 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 27% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to organisations James S McDonnell Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 7% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 33 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $90,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- STL Life Sciences Projects · General support$5,765,0002024 tax year
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center · General support$2,965,0002024 tax year
- Saint Louis Teacher Residency · General support$1,980,0002024 tax year
- Mo Bontanical Gardens · General support$1,790,0002024 tax year
- Saint Louis Community Foundation · General support$577,0002024 tax year
- Saint Louis Zoo Association · General support$255,0002024 tax year
- Forest Park Forever · General support$250,0002024 tax year
- Saint Louis County Library Foundation · General support$245,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Marcella M Stevens — Director
- Kimberly Rogers — Director / Clerk
- Catherine M Rogers — President / Treasurer
- Antonio Pipoli — Director
- Katherine H Mcdonnell — Director
- Mary E Abbott — Director
- Jeanne M Champer — Director
- Holly M James — Director
- Alicia S Mcdonnell — Director
- Jennifer C Mcdonnell — Director
- Jeffrey M Mcdonnell — Director
- Gregory T Stevens — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $8,824,399 | $7,980,500 | $161,970,977 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $9,463,876 | $8,494,500 | $207,405,662 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $16,847,666 | $15,313,000 | $246,776,196 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to James S McDonnell Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Lincoln, MA
Applying to James S McDonnell Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Lincoln, MA