J M McDonald Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• EIN: 47-1431059
• Annual Giving: $1,542,725 (2023)
• Total Assets: $29,396,515
• Number of Grants: 169 (2023)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000
• Median Grant: $6,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily upstate New York, with additional support in Colorado, Pennsylvania, California, and Florida
• Founded: 1952
• Tax-Exempt Since: April 1953

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
J M McDonald Foundation Inc
c/o Foundation Source
501 Silverside Road, Suite 123
Wilmington, DE 19809

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The J M McDonald Foundation Inc was established in 1952 by James M. McDonald, Sr., originally in Hastings, Nebraska, and has been tax-exempt since April 1953. With assets of approximately $29.4 million, the foundation distributed over $1.5 million in grants in 2023 across 169 awards. Now based in Wilmington, Delaware, and administered through Foundation Source, the foundation maintains strong family governance through the McJunkin family (McDonald's daughter Eleanor married Reed McJunkin, and they were among the five original trustees). The foundation focuses on upstate New York, honoring J.M. McDonald's desire to improve education and social programs in that region. Over its 70+ year history, the foundation has maintained consistent commitment to education, humanities, health, and social services, with a particular preference for capital projects. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs or open application cycles. All grants are awarded at trustee discretion to preselected organizations.

2023 Grant Distribution:

• 169 grants totaling $1,542,725
• Grant range: $1,000 - $100,000
• Median grant: $6,000

Priority Areas

Primary Focus Areas:

• Education - Particularly higher education institutions and educational technology
• Health and Hospitals - Medical centers, healthcare facilities, and health-related capital projects
• Social and Human Services - Youth and child care, services for disadvantaged populations
• Humanities - Arts organizations, cultural institutions, and community cultural projects
• Services for Vulnerable Populations - Programs supporting the aged, orphans, and children who are sick, infirm, blind, or have disabilities

Preferred Type of Support:

• Capital projects (strong preference)
• Building funds
• Equipment purchases
• Project support
• General operating support (limited)

Special Interests:

• Combating juvenile delinquency
• Supporting underprivileged children
• Aiding mentally or physically handicapped children
• Educational technology initiatives
• Community arts and cultural preservation

Geographic Focus

Primary: Upstate New York (strong preference)
Secondary: Colorado, Pennsylvania, California, Florida

Recent Grant Examples (2023)

• Cayuga Medical Center (Ithaca, NY) - $100,000 for "Transforming Care"
• University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) - $50,000 for School of Nursing Technology Fund
• Cortland Repertory Theatre Inc (Cortland, NY) - $50,000 for general operating expenses
• Center for the Arts of Homer Inc (Homer, NY) - $30,000 for East Wall Brick Restoration Project
• The Wild Center (Tupper Lake, NY) - $30,000 for Wild Lights/Wild Nights initiative
• Cortlandville Fire Department - $28,000

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's practice of funding only preselected organizations means:

• No grants to individuals
• No unsolicited applications accepted
• Geographic preference limits funding outside core regions
• Focus on established organizations rather than startups

Governance and Leadership

Historical Background

The foundation was created by James M. McDonald, Sr., in 1952. The five original trustees were:

• James M. McDonald, Sr. (founder)
• James M. McDonald, Jr. (son)
• Future H. McDonald (Jr.'s spouse)
• Reed McJunkin (son-in-law)
• Eleanor McJunkin (daughter)

The McJunkin family has maintained continuous involvement in foundation governance since its founding.

Current Leadership

Donald R. McJunkin - President and Director

The foundation maintains family governance with trustees serving without compensation. Detailed current board composition is available through the foundation's Form 990-PF tax filings.

Foundation Split

The current J M McDonald Foundation came into being as a result of an equal split of the original J.M. McDonald Foundation. The Armstrong McDonald Foundation was incorporated in 1986 as the other result of this division, with the McJunkin family retaining the name of the original foundation and moving administrative offices to New York.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The J M McDonald Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected. There is no application portal, no application deadlines, and no formal proposal process available to the public.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded at trustee discretion throughout the year without a formal application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation selects its grantees rather than responding to applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grant-making patterns reveals:

Characteristics of Funded Organizations

Geographic Connection: Nearly all funded organizations are located in upstate New York, suggesting trustees have direct knowledge of and connection to the region.

Types of Projects: The foundation shows clear preference for:

• Capital projects over operating support
• Established institutions (universities, hospitals, cultural organizations)
• Projects with tangible, lasting impact
• Educational technology and healthcare improvements
• Community cultural preservation

Grant Size Pattern: With 169 grants totaling $1.5 million and a median of $6,000, the foundation makes:

• Many small to medium grants ($1,000-$10,000)
• Moderate number of larger grants ($10,000-$50,000)
• Select major grants ($50,000-$100,000) to significant capital projects

Repeat Funding: The foundation's preselection approach suggests they likely maintain ongoing relationships with core grantees, funding trusted organizations repeatedly.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - they select their grantees
• Strong Geographic Focus: Upstate New York receives overwhelming preference; organizations outside this region have limited opportunity
• Capital Projects Preferred: Proposals emphasizing capital improvements, equipment, or building projects align with stated preferences
• Family Foundation: Maintained by the McJunkin family for over 70 years, suggesting conservative, relationship-based grant-making
• Moderate Grant Sizes: While grants range to $100,000, the $6,000 median suggests most awards are modest
• Established Organizations: Grant recipients tend to be well-known institutions (universities, hospitals, established arts organizations) rather than newer nonprofits
• Long-Term Commitment: The foundation's 70+ year history in upstate New York demonstrates sustained commitment to the region

References

1. Candid (Foundation Center). "J M McDonald Foundation Inc." Foundation Directory Online. Accessed February 24, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=MCDO002

2. GuideStar by Candid. "J M McDonald Foundation Inc - Profile." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/47-1431059

3. Cause IQ. "JM McDonald Foundation | Wilmington, DE." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/j-m-mcdonald-foundation-inc,471431059/

4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "J M Mcdonald Foundation Inc." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/471431059

5. Instrumentl. "Jm Mcdonald Foundation Inc | Wilmington, DE | 990 Report." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/j-m-mcdonald-foundation-inc

6. Upstate Giving. "J M McDonald Foundation." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://upstategiving.com/j-m-mcdonald-foundation/

7. GrantStation. "J.M. McDonald Foundation." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/jm-mcdonald-foundation

8. Grantmakers.io. "J M McDonald Foundation Inc. - Profile." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/471431059-j-m-mcdonald-foundation-inc/

9. GrantExec. "Jm Mcdonald Foundation Inc." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://grantexec.com/foundations/471431059

10. Charity Navigator. "J M McDonald Foundation Inc." Accessed February 24, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/471431059