Grey Rocks Foundation Inc (McLaneHarper Charitable Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.7 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $500 - $250,000
• Geographic Focus: New England (Massachusetts and New Hampshire)

Contact Details

• Phone: (617) 574-6700
• Address: 200 Clarendon St FL5, Boston, MA 02116
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Overview

Founded in 1986, the Grey Rocks Foundation Inc (also known as McLaneHarper Charitable Foundation) is a private family foundation established by P. Andrews McLane and Linda Harper McLane with assets of approximately $58-65 million. The foundation distributes approximately $1.7 million annually in charitable grants, supporting organisations primarily in New England. Named after the McLane family's former property on Newfound Lake in Hebron, New Hampshire (donated to conservation in 2011), the foundation reflects the McLanes' deep commitment to education, arts and culture, environmental conservation, and rowing. Andrews McLane, a retired venture capitalist and senior adviser at TA Associates, serves as president alongside his wife Linda as treasurer, operating the foundation without compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through discretionary giving without formal grant programmes. Recent grant amounts have ranged from:

• Major gifts: $100,000 - $250,000 (education institutions, major cultural organisations)
• Mid-level grants: $25,000 - $75,000 (regional nonprofits, conservation groups)
• Smaller grants: $500 - $20,000 (community organisations)

Priority Areas

• Education: Elite preparatory schools and higher education institutions, particularly Dartmouth College, Phillips Exeter Academy, and St. Paul's School
• Arts and Culture: Museums, historical societies, and cultural preservation, with emphasis on New England heritage
• Environmental Conservation: Watershed protection and land conservation, particularly in New Hampshire
• Sports and Recreation: Rowing programmes and athletic facilities
• Literacy: Reading and educational access programmes

What They Don't Fund

Whilst not explicitly stated, the foundation does not appear to fund:

• Individual requests
• Organisations outside their established network
• International programmes
• Political or advocacy organisations
• For-profit ventures

Governance and Leadership

P. Andrews McLane - President

• Retired venture capitalist with 30 years at TA Associates
• Dartmouth College graduate (1977)
• Trustee of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
• Foundation Trustee of USRowing
• Serves on multiple nonprofit boards including Exeter, Dartmouth Medical School, Cambridge Boat Club

Linda Harper McLane - Treasurer

• Co-philanthropist focusing on education and arts initiatives
• Active in New Hampshire conservation efforts

David H. Hopfenberg - Clerk

The McLane family has generational ties to New Hampshire philanthropy - Andrews' great-grandfather John McLane served as Governor of New Hampshire in the early 20th century.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through invitation only or pre-existing relationships. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or maintain an online application portal. All grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their established philanthropic priorities and organisational relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the closed nature of this foundation, organisations interested in support should focus on:

• Building relationships through shared board members at organisations the McLanes already support (Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Dartmouth College, USRowing, Cambridge Boat Club)
• Engaging with Andrews McLane through his various trustee positions and nonprofit board service
• Connecting through New Hampshire conservation networks, particularly organisations working in the Newfound Lake region
• Participating in rowing and athletic communities where the McLanes are active donors and participants

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed - decisions appear to be made throughout the year based on annual IRS filings showing grants distributed across multiple months.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant recipients and the McLanes' giving patterns:

• Established institutional relationships: Nearly all major grants go to organisations where the McLanes have long-standing connections or board service
• New England heritage focus: Organisations preserving or promoting New England culture, history, and natural resources receive priority
• Elite educational institutions: Strong preference for prestigious preparatory schools and Ivy League universities
• Rowing and water sports: The McLanes became passionate about rowing when their son joined Harvard crew in 2004, making this a unique entry point
• Conservation with public access: Projects that preserve land whilst maintaining recreational opportunities align with their values
• Multi-generational impact: Organisations serving both current needs and preserving resources for future generations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a closed, invitation-only foundation - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Focus on relationship building through the McLanes' extensive nonprofit network rather than direct application
• Organisations in the Newfound Lake region of New Hampshire or with rowing programmes may have unique advantages
• Education institutions with existing McLane family connections (Dartmouth, Exeter, St. Paul's) are prioritised
• Conservation projects combining environmental protection with recreation access align with demonstrated interests
• The foundation's giving closely mirrors the personal interests and board service of Andrews and Linda McLane
• Consider approaching through mutual connections at Museum of Fine Arts Boston, USRowing, or Cambridge Boat Club

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Grey Rocks Foundation Inc Profile. Accessed January 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42944189
• Cause IQ - Grey Rocks Foundation Profile. Accessed January 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/grey-rocks-foundation,042944189/
• USRowing. "The McLanes Make Transformational Gift to USRowing." December 2024. https://usrowing.org/news/gift-mclane
• Newfound Lake Region Association. "Grey Rocks Conservation Project." 2011. https://www.newfoundlake.org/greyrocks
• Foundation Search - McLaneHarper Charitable Foundation Profile. Accessed January 2025. https://www.foundationsearch.com/topsp/0/mclane-harper-charitable-foundation-042944189.html
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for Grey Rocks Foundation Inc, 2020-2024. Available through ProPublica and GuideStar.