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MacMillan Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$24.7M
Grant Range
$2K - $6.8M

MacMillan Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $24.7 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $473.6 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,500 - $6,850,000 (based on recent awards)
  • Geographic Focus: New York City and New Jersey primarily, with consideration for research and arts initiatives elsewhere
  • Application Method: No unsolicited applications; invitation only via brief survey

Contact Details

Address: 790 Madison Avenue, Suite 506, New York, NY 10065
Email: info@macmillanff.org
Website: https://www.macmillanff.org

Note: Previous grantees should contact their current foundation contact directly. New organizations may submit a brief survey through the foundation's website for consideration.

Overview

Founded in January 2003 by Duncan and Nancy MacMillan, the MacMillan Family Foundation supports organizations that strengthen and enrich society in three major areas: cancer and medical research, education, and the arts. Duncan MacMillan co-founded Bloomberg L.P. in 1981, and both he and Nancy are signatories of the Giving Pledge (2010). With total assets of $473.6 million and annual charitable disbursements of $24.7 million (2023), the foundation makes significant investments in transformational research, educational equity, and arts sustainability. In August 2022, Arlene Shuler was named the foundation's first Executive Director, signaling a new phase of strategic grantmaking. The foundation is particularly known for supporting infrastructure and capacity-building projects alongside programmatic work, focusing on long-term organizational sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Cancer and Medical Research

  • Major research institution grants: $1 million - $6.8 million
  • Cancer immunology and metabolism research
  • Cancer health equity initiatives
  • Basic science research where public funding is insufficient
  • Multi-scale disease research and genomics

Recent examples:

  • $5.5 million to Rutgers University Foundation for Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence
  • $5 million to New York Genome Center
  • $5 million to CIFAR for the MacMillan Multiscale Human program

Education

  • Focus on under-resourced communities in New York City and New Jersey
  • Strengthening community schools
  • Building school leader capacity
  • Advancing youth literacy
  • Educational equity initiatives

Recent example:

  • $25,000 to Education Law Center

Arts

  • Infrastructure and capacity-building projects for long-term organizational sustainability
  • Arts education for young people
  • Support for performing arts and cultural institutions

Recent examples:

  • $1.1 million to New York City Center
  • $1 million to Frick Museum
  • $70,000 to Dorrance Dance

Community Grants

  • Local grassroots organizations
  • Services that maintain and enhance health, education, and well-being of communities
  • Smaller grants typically ranging from $1,500 to $50,000

Recent examples:

  • $50,000 to New Venture Fund
  • $15,000 to Robin Hood Foundation
  • Support to Food Bank for NYC, Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Classical Theater of Harlem

Priority Areas

  • Cancer research and treatment: Particularly focused on health equity, immunology, genomics, and prevention
  • Educational equity: Supporting under-resourced schools and communities in NYC and NJ
  • Arts sustainability: Infrastructure, capacity-building, and arts education
  • Community health and well-being: Grassroots organizations serving local communities
  • Transformational research: Multi-year, ambitious research programs that could revolutionize disease understanding

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus areas suggest they do not fund:

  • Individual scholarships or grants
  • Capital campaigns unrelated to their core priorities
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus (except for major research or arts initiatives)
  • Religious organizations for sectarian purposes
  • Political campaigns or lobbying

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

  • Duncan MacMillan, Chairman - Co-founder of Bloomberg L.P., designed the company's computer systems, Giving Pledge signatory
  • Nancy MacMillan, President - Giving Pledge signatory alongside her husband
  • Kevin MacMillan, Secretary - Son of Duncan and Nancy
  • Alissa MacMillan, Director - Daughter of Duncan and Nancy
  • Arlene Shuler, Executive Director (since August 2022) - First Executive Director of the foundation, bringing strategic leadership to grantmaking operations
  • Sophie Andreassi, Senior Program Associate/Grants Administrator (since October 2023)

Leadership Perspective:

Nancy MacMillan on the foundation's research support: "Duncan and I hope and expect that this gift will help further discoveries. CIFAR continues to be at the forefront of addressing humanity's greatest challenges."

The foundation is family-led with professional staff managing day-to-day operations. The appointment of Arlene Shuler as the first Executive Director in 2022 represents an evolution toward more structured, strategic grantmaking while maintaining the family's philanthropic vision.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The MacMillan Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited full grant applications.

For New Organizations: Organizations that believe their work aligns with the foundation's goals and current program priorities may submit a brief survey through the foundation's website (macmillanff.org). This survey allows the foundation to learn more about your organization and any proposed projects.

For Previous Grantees: If you are a previous grantee or already in communication with the foundation, contact your current foundation contact directly to determine whether you should complete a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) form.

Review Process: Surveys are reviewed on a rolling basis. However, due to the volume of submissions, the foundation notes that individual responses are not guaranteed. If your organization is invited to submit a full proposal, foundation staff will contact you directly.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation reviews initial surveys on a rolling basis, but organizations should expect that only those invited to submit full proposals will receive direct communication from the foundation. Decision timelines likely vary based on the size and complexity of the proposed project.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, given that the foundation operates primarily on an invitation-only basis and distributed $24.7 million across an unknown number of grants in 2023, competition is likely significant. Recent public grants show a range from $1,500 to $6.85 million, suggesting the foundation makes both small community grants and large transformational investments.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated. Organizations that have submitted surveys but were not invited to apply may submit updated information in subsequent years if their work continues to align with foundation priorities. Previous grantees should maintain communication with their foundation contact about future funding opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Insights

What the Foundation Values:

  1. Transformational Impact: The foundation uses language like "transformational gift" for major research grants (e.g., the $5 million CIFAR grant). They seek projects that could revolutionize understanding, treatment, or prevention of diseases.

  2. Health Equity Focus: Recent cancer grants emphasize addressing "root causes of cancer health disparities" and ensuring "all individuals, regardless of background, have access to equitable care and resources."

  3. Infrastructure and Capacity Building: Particularly in arts funding, the foundation explicitly states it funds "infrastructure and capacity-building projects with the long-term goal of increased organizational sustainability." This suggests they prefer investments that strengthen organizations over one-time programmatic support.

  4. Educational Equity: Focus on "under-resourced communities" in New York City and New Jersey, with priorities including community schools, school leadership, and youth literacy.

  5. Basic Science Research: The foundation supports basic science research "where public funding is insufficient," suggesting they look for innovative research that may not qualify for federal funding.

  6. Community-Driven Strategies: The Columbia cancer grant emphasizes "innovative community-driven strategies," including community and nurse navigators, suggesting the foundation values grassroots approaches.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (Columbia): Grant focused on deploying community and nurse navigators for cancer prevention education, screening, and navigation services in Washington Heights
  • CIFAR: $5 million for the MacMillan Multiscale Human program to map the human body across spatial and temporal scales
  • Rutgers University: $5.5 million for Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence
  • Major cultural institutions: $1+ million grants to NYC Center and Frick Museum for infrastructure

Key Success Factors:

  • Strategic alignment: Projects must clearly fit within cancer/medical research, education, or arts priorities
  • Geographic focus: Strong preference for NYC and NJ organizations (except major research and arts initiatives)
  • Sustainability focus: Demonstrate how funding will build long-term capacity, not just support one-time activities
  • Equity lens: Show how your work addresses disparities or serves under-resourced communities
  • Ambitious scope: For major grants, show transformational potential
  • Community engagement: Evidence of community-driven approaches and grassroots connections
  • Established track record: The foundation appears to fund established institutions and organizations with proven capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder: Do not expect to submit a full proposal without first being invited. Focus your initial survey on demonstrating clear alignment with their three priority areas.

  • Think infrastructure, not just programs: The foundation explicitly values capacity-building and organizational sustainability, especially for arts organizations. Frame requests around long-term organizational strengthening.

  • Emphasize equity and access: Recent grants show strong interest in health equity, educational equity, and serving under-resourced communities. Make your equity approach central, not peripheral.

  • Go big for research grants: Recent research grants range from $1 million to $6.85 million. If you're seeking research funding, propose transformational, multi-year initiatives rather than small pilot projects.

  • Geographic focus matters: Unless you're proposing major research or arts initiatives, you need a strong connection to NYC or NJ communities.

  • Relationship-based grantmaking: The foundation operates through relationships and invitation. If funded, maintain strong communication with your program officer for future opportunities.

  • Family foundation with professional management: Understand that while family members lead governance, Arlene Shuler (Executive Director since 2022) and professional staff manage day-to-day grantmaking. This means decisions balance family vision with professional strategic assessment.

References

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