McDonnell Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing says the foundation gives only to charities it has preselected and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered.
- It paid out $4,438,925, but the filing does not say how that money is spread among recipients, what size of grant to expect, or which fields and areas it supports, so it is hard to judge whether your work fits.
- The only route the filing describes is an invitation, so spend your time on funders that accept applications unless you already have a genuine connection to the foundation.
- If you do, a short, factual approach through that relationship is the most sensible way in.
Overview
McDonnell Foundation is a US private foundation based in Kansas City, MO.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s filing describes its contributions as going only to preselected charitable organisations, and gives their purpose as general charitable purposes. It does not identify the recipient organisations in the grant rows or name a particular charitable field, type of organisation or community served. Beyond the preselection condition, the material available does not describe how organisations are chosen or what makes a charity eligible. It does not state a geographic priority or a specific approach to grantmaking. The available evidence therefore supports only a broad account of its giving to selected charities for general charitable purposes.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Officers and directors
- Kerry McDonnell — Director
- Mary C Fielder — Director
- Jean W McDonnell — President & Director
- Thomas A McDonnell — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,915,324 | $3,500,775 | $91,341,910 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,118,636 | $3,785,100 | $96,867,082 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,609,357 | $4,438,925 | $111,184,697 | 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
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to McDonnell Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Kansas City, MO
Applying to McDonnell Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Kansas City, MO