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McLaughlin Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,562,683 (2022)
  • Grant Range: Varies (average ~$78,000 per grant in 2022)
  • Decision Time: 2 months (October application deadline, December decisions)
  • Geographic Focus: Central Oklahoma (Oklahoma City area)
  • Application Type: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 6824 North Robinson, Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Website: https://www.mclaughlinfamilyfoundation.org

Contact Method: Contact form available on website (no direct email or phone published)

Overview

Founded in 2004 by Dave and Jean McLaughlin, the McLaughlin Family Foundation has grown from a dining room table initiative to a significant private foundation that has awarded hundreds of grants in the Oklahoma City area. The foundation's mission is to create change in central Oklahoma that helps disadvantaged children and families reach their full potential. Under the leadership of CEO Kelly Gray, a founding board member, the foundation focuses on innovative, entrepreneurial, high-impact nonprofit agencies. Dave McLaughlin, who co-founded Advance Food Company and built it into the nation's leading producer of value-added meat products, passed away in July 2023, leaving a legacy of philanthropy focused on breaking negative cycles affecting children and families. The foundation emphasizes preventative programs and has recently shifted strategy to invest in "bigger, bolder community partnerships" rather than a larger number of smaller grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct grant programs. Instead, it makes strategic grants by invitation only, typically with application deadlines in early October and decisions announced in December each year. In 2022, the foundation made 20 grants totaling $1,562,683. Recent years have seen:

  • 2022: 20 grants
  • 2021: 12 grants
  • 2020: 43 grants
  • 2019: 45 grants
  • 2018: 38 grants

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes:

  • Preventative Programs: The foundation explicitly prefers programs that prevent problems rather than addressing them after they occur
  • Breaking Negative Cycles: Support for organizations working to break intergenerational cycles of poverty, abuse, or disadvantage
  • Disadvantaged Children and Families: All work must benefit children and families facing economic or social challenges in central Oklahoma
  • Innovative and Entrepreneurial Approaches: Preference for creative, high-impact solutions
  • Start-up and Operational Support: Grants often cover start-up costs or operational expenses, frequently requiring matching funds from other sources

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not fund:

  • Events
  • Golf tournaments
  • Tables or sponsorships
  • Organizations outside the Oklahoma City/central Oklahoma area
  • Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) or educational entities

Governance and Leadership

Kelly Gray, CEO and Founding Board Member: Kelly Gray leads the foundation and is also a partner at Square Deal Capital. He has been vocal about the foundation's priorities, stating: "As a family, we wanted to make a meaningful gift in honor of Jean's 80th birthday that would support those who educate children in Oklahoma." Regarding partnerships with organizations like Sunbeam Family Services, he has said: "At McLaughlin Family Foundation, we have an extra-special place in our hearts for the staff and services that Sunbeam provides."

Molly Helm, Part-time Foundation Strategist: Molly Helm provides strategic support to the foundation and its grantees. She also runs Purple Ink Consulting and was named one of the Fifty Who Make a Difference in Oklahoma by The Journal Record in 2013 and 2014.

Founders Dave and Jean McLaughlin: Dave McLaughlin (1937-2023) co-founded Advance Food Company, growing it from five workers to over 2,400 employees as the nation's leading producer of value-added meat products. The McLaughlins have long been committed to Oklahoma City's children and families, with Dave particularly focused on supporting Oklahoma City Public Schools students and teachers.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation's website states clearly: "Grants are by invitation only. We are not accepting unsolicited applications."

The foundation explains: "We wish we could fund all the good work happening in our community. However, since our funds are limited and filling out grant applications takes time, we want to be respectful and not waste anyone's time."

However, they add: "If you have a new organization or an especially creative project, we encourage you to reach out."

Grants are only considered for 501(c)(3) or educational entities that provide services in the Oklahoma City area.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation provides one specific pathway for organizations with innovative approaches:

For New or Especially Creative Projects: The foundation explicitly welcomes contact from organizations with new initiatives or particularly creative approaches, even though they don't accept general unsolicited applications. Organizations should reach out via the contact form on their website.

Board Connections: Board members and staff are active in the Oklahoma City nonprofit ecosystem and serve on various local boards and commissions, creating natural networking opportunities within the sector.

Professional Affiliations: The foundation is a member of:

  • Exponent Philanthropy
  • Philanthropy Southwest
  • OKC Funders' Forum

Organizations active in these networks may have opportunities for relationship building.

Capacity Building Events: The foundation hosts training "Lunch and Learns" for current grantees throughout the year, demonstrating their commitment to supporting organizational development beyond just funding.

Decision Timeline

For invited applications:

  • Application Deadline: Typically early October
  • Decision Notification: December
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 2 months from application to decision

Success Rates

Based on available data:

  • 2022: 20 grants awarded
  • The foundation has significantly reduced the number of grants in recent years to focus on deeper partnerships (down from 43-45 grants in 2019-2020 to 20 in 2022)

Success rates are not publicly disclosed, but the invitation-only model suggests that invited organizations have a reasonable likelihood of funding if their proposal aligns well with foundation priorities.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication information is not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only model, organizations should discuss future funding opportunities directly with foundation staff if they have an existing relationship.

Application Success Factors

Since the McLaughlin Family Foundation operates by invitation only, the following factors appear to influence which organizations are invited and funded:

Preventative Focus is Critical: The foundation explicitly states it "often prefers preventative programs when choosing beneficiaries." Programs should demonstrate how they prevent problems rather than simply responding to crises.

Demonstrate You're a "Cycle Breaker": The foundation's language emphasizes support for organizations that "break negative cycles." Applications should clearly articulate what negative cycle (poverty, trauma, educational failure, etc.) the program interrupts and how.

Innovation and Entrepreneurialism Matter: The foundation consistently describes seeking "innovative, entrepreneurial, high-impact" approaches. Traditional or conventional programs may be less attractive than creative solutions.

Matching Funds Often Required: Grants "often require a match from other funding sources," suggesting the foundation wants to see organizational capacity to leverage multiple funding streams.

Alignment with Current Strategic Focus: The foundation has shifted to "bigger, bolder community partnerships focusing on their key funding initiatives," suggesting they're looking for opportunities for deeper, more strategic engagement rather than transactional grants.

Central Oklahoma Geographic Focus is Non-Negotiable: All funded work must serve the Oklahoma City/central Oklahoma area.

Be Prepared to Engage Beyond the Grant: The foundation offers capacity building support and training to grantees, suggesting they prefer organizations willing to engage in learning and development opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Don't submit an unsolicited application: This foundation only accepts invited applications, though they welcome initial contact about "new organizations or especially creative projects"
  • Emphasize prevention over intervention: The foundation's documented preference is for programs that prevent problems before they occur
  • Use their language: Frame your work around "breaking negative cycles" and helping disadvantaged children and families "reach their full potential"
  • Highlight innovation: Conventional approaches are less likely to attract interest than entrepreneurial, creative solutions
  • Demonstrate leverage: Be prepared to show matching funds or other funding sources, as grants often require matches
  • Think partnership, not transaction: The foundation is shifting toward deeper relationships with fewer organizations rather than many small grants
  • Connect through networks: Engagement with Exponent Philanthropy, Philanthropy Southwest, or OKC Funders' Forum may create relationship-building opportunities

References

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