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Katherine Wells Macmillan Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.7M

Katherine Wells Macmillan Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,700,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: National (Minneapolis, MN based)
  • Total Assets: $131,800,000

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 5628, Minneapolis, MN 55440

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website, email, or phone contact information. All correspondence should be directed to the mailing address above.

Overview

The Katherine Wells Macmillan Foundation is a private foundation established in 2001 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With total assets of $131.8 million and annual charitable disbursements of $5.7 million (2024), the foundation operates as a grant-making entity focused on supporting educational institutions and student aid initiatives. The foundation's activities consist solely of grantmaking to other public charitable organizations qualified under 501(c)(3). The foundation has experienced significant asset growth in recent years through major contributions, including $40 million in 2023, $60 million in 2021, and $18 million in 2020. The foundation is classified under the NTEE code for Scholarships, Student Financial Aid, and Awards (B82). It is led by Marianne Short (President) and Jennifer J. Cullen (Vice President/Treasurer), both of whom serve without compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private non-operating foundation making grants to preselected charitable organizations. Based on recent IRS 990-PF filings:

  • 2022: 3 grants awarded totaling $3,070,000
  • 2023: 3 grants awarded
  • 2024: Charitable disbursements of $5,700,000

Grant amounts and specific program areas are not publicly disclosed but align with the foundation's classification in education, scholarships, and student financial aid.

Priority Areas

Based on available information, the foundation focuses on:

  • Educational institutions
  • Scholarship and student financial aid programs
  • Youth services (confirmed recipient: Florida Keys Children's Shelter)
  • 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual students (grants are made to organizations, not individuals)
  • For-profit entities
  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team (as of 2024):

  • Marianne Short - Director/President
  • Jennifer J. Cullen - Director/Vice President or Treasurer

Both officers serve without compensation. The foundation maintains a lean administrative structure typical of family foundations with preselected beneficiaries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly indicated that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's board of directors to organizations with which they have pre-existing relationships.

Organizations seeking funding should not submit unsolicited proposals, letters of inquiry, or grant applications to this foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with internal decision-making processes.

Success Rates

Not applicable for external applicants, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from organizations outside its predetermined selection process.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Already Receiving Support:

Since the foundation makes a limited number of grants annually (typically 2-3 grants per year), organizations that are part of the foundation's preselected charitable beneficiaries should:

  • Maintain strong financial stewardship and accountability
  • Provide clear reporting on how previous grants were utilized
  • Demonstrate measurable impact in education, student aid, or youth services
  • Align mission and activities with 501(c)(3) public charitable purposes
  • Maintain regular communication with foundation leadership

Understanding the Foundation's Approach:

The foundation operates as a conduit for charitable giving to specific organizations rather than as an open grant-making entity. The small number of annual grants (2-3) suggests deep, sustained relationships with select beneficiary organizations rather than broad distribution across many recipients.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or applications from organizations outside its predetermined selection
  • Invitation-Only Grantmaking: All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations chosen by the foundation's board
  • Significant Resources: With $131.8 million in assets and $5.7 million in annual giving, the foundation has substantial capacity but focuses on a very limited number of recipients
  • Education Focus: Primary classification is in scholarships, student financial aid, and awards, though grants are made to organizations rather than individuals
  • Concentrated Giving: Typically makes only 2-3 grants per year, suggesting substantial award amounts to each recipient
  • Private Foundation Structure: Operates as a family foundation with minimal administrative overhead and board compensation
  • Not a Viable Target for Cold Outreach: Organizations without pre-existing relationships with the foundation should not invest time in application preparation

References

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