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McDonnell Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.4M

McDonnell Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,438,925 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Kansas City, Missouri region
  • Total Assets: $75.6 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 4909 Sunset Dr, Kansas City, MO 64112-2309
Phone: 816-753-7142
EIN: 43-1439173

Note: The foundation does not have a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The McDonnell Foundation Inc was established in 1986 by Thomas A. McDonnell, who served as President and CEO of DST Systems, Inc. from 1973 to 2012. DST Systems was a leading provider of information processing, computer software services, and products to the financial services, communications, and healthcare industries. The foundation is classified as a private grantmaking foundation under NTEE code T20 and has been tax-exempt since May 1987. With total assets of $75.6 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $4.4 million in charitable grants that year. The foundation focuses its giving primarily on education, the arts, and human services, maintaining strong ties to the Kansas City community. Following his retirement from DST Systems, Thomas McDonnell served as President and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation from 2013 to 2014.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The McDonnell Foundation concentrates its grantmaking in three primary areas:

  • Education: Supporting educational initiatives and institutions in the Kansas City region
  • The Arts: Funding arts organizations and cultural institutions
  • Human Services: Supporting organizations that provide essential services to the community

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation that makes grants only to preselected charitable organizations, the McDonnell Foundation does not fund:

  • Unsolicited grant requests from organizations not already in their portfolio
  • Individual applicants
  • Organizations outside their established areas of interest

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Thomas A. McDonnell

  • Former President and CEO of DST Systems, Inc. (1973-2012)
  • Former President and CEO of Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (2013-2014)
  • Extensive board service including Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Union Station Kansas City, Inc., and Kauffman Foundation (trustee since 2003, board chair 2006-2012)

Key Personnel Compensation: Directors receive modest compensation of approximately $12,000 per director, reflecting the foundation's focus on maximizing charitable impact.

Co-Founder Involvement: Tom and Jean McDonnell have been described as founding investors in several Kansas City initiatives, including GreenLight Kansas City, demonstrating their commitment to bringing innovative solutions to address issues facing low-income children and families in the region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The McDonnell Foundation has indicated on its IRS Form 990-PF 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 trustees to organizations they have selected based on their own research and priorities. The foundation primarily funds general charitable purposes through its established network of grantees.

Application Success Factors

Since the McDonnell Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on available information about their grantmaking:

  • Established Relationships: The foundation works with organizations already in their network or identified through trustee connections
  • Kansas City Focus: Organizations with strong ties to the Kansas City community appear to be prioritized
  • Alignment with Mission: Projects must align with the foundation's core focus areas of education, arts, and human services
  • Community Impact: The McDonnells' involvement with GreenLight Kansas City suggests an interest in "innovative solutions to address issues facing low-income children and families"
  • Pragmatic and Entrepreneurial Approach: Based on their stated enthusiasm for GreenLight's "entrepreneurial, pragmatic, and community-focused" approach

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications; all grants are made to preselected organizations
  • Substantial Resources: With over $75 million in assets and $4.4 million in annual giving, the foundation has significant grantmaking capacity
  • Focus Areas: Concentrates on education, the arts, and human services in the Kansas City region
  • Invitation-Only Model: Grants are awarded based on trustee discretion and existing relationships rather than competitive application processes
  • Community-Oriented: Strong commitment to Kansas City area organizations and initiatives
  • Innovation-Focused: The McDonnells' support for GreenLight Kansas City suggests interest in innovative, entrepreneurial approaches to social challenges
  • Relationship-Based: Organizations most likely to receive funding are those with connections to the foundation's trustees or existing grantees

References

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