John P And Anne Welsh Mcnulty Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$4,000,000 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Varies by program cycle
• Grant Range: $20,000 - $150,000 (plus non-monetary support valued at $150,000-$200,000)
• Geographic Focus: International
• Application Method: Invitation only (Aspen Institute Fellows)

Contact Details

Website: https://mcnultyfound.org

Email: info@mcnultyprize.org

Phone: Not publicly available

Address: 594 Dean Street, Suite 31, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Tax Information: EIN 52-1445003

Overview

Founded in 1985 by Anne and her late husband John P. McNulty, the John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation supports the education and leadership development of individuals who strive to make a difference in the world. The foundation significantly expanded its philanthropic work in 2001 when the McNultys pivoted to full-time nonprofit engagement, and Anne increased efforts following John's death in 2005. Over the past decade, Anne Welsh McNulty has invested over $40 million in elevating entrepreneurial leaders and nurturing promising students. A former Goldman Sachs managing director, Anne McNulty focuses the foundation's work on leadership development, higher education, the arts, human services, and particularly on advancing women in STEM fields and leadership positions. The foundation has established major programs at prestigious universities including the McNulty Leadership Program at Wharton, the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership at Villanova, and McNulty Scholars Programs at St. Joseph's University and Hunter College.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The John P. McNulty Prize (Mid-Stage Organizations)

• Award Amount: $150,000 cash plus $150,000-$200,000 in non-monetary support (media/communications, coaching, strategic advising, convening opportunities)
• Annual Total: $450,000 distributed to 3 winners annually
• Eligibility: Invitation-only for Aspen Institute or AGLN Fellows with organizations at least 2 years active
• Application Method: By invitation only; nominees invited by Aspen Initiatives

McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund (Earlier-Stage Ventures)

• Award Amount: Individual grants ranging from $20,000-$30,000
• Annual Total: $120,000-$150,000 distributed to 5-7 recipients annually
• Eligibility: Invitation-only for Aspen Institute Fellows with ventures at critical junctures
• Application Method: By invitation only from the McNulty Foundation

McNulty Scholars Programs (University-Based)

• Locations: Hunter College (CUNY) and St. Joseph's University
• Focus: Full-tuition scholarships and leadership training for women in STEM fields
• Support: More than $2.3 million provided to Hunter College program since inception
• Program Features: Scholarships, leadership training, mentorship, conference funding

Major Institutional Grants (Strategic Partnerships)

• $10 million to Wharton School for the Anne and John McNulty Leadership Program
• $5 million to Villanova University for the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership
• Additional grants to universities and leadership development institutions

Priority Areas

Leadership Development

• Supporting exceptional leaders who demonstrate moral courage, bold vision, and deep, lasting impact
• Elevating entrepreneurial leaders addressing critical global challenges
• Developing young leaders, particularly women and marginalized populations

Education & STEM

• Higher education initiatives
• Women's advancement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
• Scholarship and mentorship programs for undergraduate women in STEM

Social Impact Ventures

• Mid-stage organizations with proven track records positioned to expand impact
• Community-based solutions to intractable challenges
• Ventures led by individuals directly impacted by the problems they address

Key Thematic Areas (Based on Recent Prize Winners)

• Mental health and economic opportunities in conflict zones
• Environmental justice and climate solutions
• Wildlife conservation and community prosperity
• Education transformation in underserved regions
• Civic leadership and bipartisan collaboration
• Disaster recovery and resilience

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not connected to Aspen Institute Fellowship network
• Start-up ventures less than 2 years old (for McNulty Prize)
• Projects without demonstrated track record of impact
• Ventures without clear leadership transformation component
• Organizations not prioritizing social impact as primary mission

Governance and Leadership

Board Members

• Anne Welsh McNulty - President and Co-Founder (former Goldman Sachs Managing Director, trailblazer for women in finance)
• Johnny McNulty - Director & Board Member
• Brynne McNulty - Board Member
• Kevin McNulty - Board Member

Staff Leadership

• Aprile Age - Executive Director
• Nina Sawhney - Program Director
• Esther Park - Program Associate
• Elaine Ferrara - Administrative Coordinator

McNulty Prize Jury

The McNulty Prize winners are selected by a distinguished international jury:

• Brizio Biondi-Morra - Chair of the Social Progress Initiative, former President of AVINA Foundation, Chair Emeritus of INCAE Business School
• Olara Otunnu - President of LBL Foundation, former UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Uganda
• Darren Walker - President of the Ford Foundation, Chair of the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance
• Cheryl Dorsey - President of Echoing Green, board member of The Bridgespan Group, Skoll Foundation, Oak Street Health, and Northeast Bank

Previous jury members have included Madeleine Albright, Mary Robinson, Bill Gates Sr., and Sir Richard Branson.

Leadership Philosophy

Anne Welsh McNulty has stated: "Women should step up, have their name out there, and take credit." Her foundation operates on the belief that "individuals can learn to lead and can transform themselves" with the guiding principle of "change yourself, change the world." The foundation believes that "the best leadership creates agency in those it touches, gives them a stake in their communities, and inspires the next generation."

McNulty learned through her career that "women breaking through is not a mere pipeline problem; it requires an ecosystem of support, mentorship, and opportunities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The McNulty Foundation does not have a public application process. All grant opportunities are invitation-only and restricted to Fellows of the Aspen Institute or Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN).

McNulty Prize:

• Nominees are invited by Aspen Initiatives
• Interested Fellows should contact their Fellowship Director to express interest
• After initial interest, candidates with strong alignment are invited to complete a full application
• Application includes detailed narratives about problem statement, leadership journey, organizational model, impact metrics, and financial information
• Optional components include 2-3 minute video and letters of recommendation

Catalyst Fund:

• Fellows must be invited to apply by the McNulty Foundation
• Applicants respond to prompts about their problem/approach, impact, current critical juncture, and courageous leadership
• Supplementary materials (financial statements, press coverage, videos) are optional

Scholars Programs:

• Students apply directly through their universities (Hunter College or St. Joseph's University)
• Each institution manages its own selection process for McNulty Scholars

Getting on Their Radar

Since the McNulty Foundation grants exclusively to Aspen Institute Fellows, the pathway to funding requires:

1. Become an Aspen Institute Fellow - Apply to and complete one of the Aspen Institute Fellowship programs or join the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN)

2. Engage Your Fellowship Director - Once you are a Fellow with an eligible venture, express your interest in the McNulty Prize or Catalyst Fund to your Fellowship Director

3. Develop Your Venture - Ensure your organization meets eligibility criteria:

   • At least 2 years of operation (for McNulty Prize)
   • Proven track record of impact
   • Clear social impact mission
   • Your transformational leadership role

4. Build Relationships Within the Network - Engage actively with the Aspen Institute community, attend Resnick Aspen Action Forums, and participate in AGLN events where McNulty Prize winners and foundation representatives may be present

5. Demonstrate Alignment - Showcase moral courage, bold vision, and deep lasting impact in your work - the three core criteria the foundation values

Decision Timeline

McNulty Prize:

• Annual cycle with specific submission windows
• Multi-stage process: initial interest form, invitation to full application, jury review
• Winners announced annually (typically in fall)
• 2026 application cycle currently closed

Catalyst Fund:

• Review occurs in conjunction with McNulty Prize cycle
• Awardees announced annually

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The highly selective nature of the programs is evident:

• McNulty Prize: 3 winners annually from pool of Aspen Institute Fellows
• Catalyst Fund: 5-7 recipients annually

In 2022, the foundation made 140 grants totaling approximately $4 million, though many of these were institutional grants to universities and established programs rather than the competitive Prize programs.

Reapplication Policy

McNulty Prize: Fellows may apply in multiple years if their venture continues to meet eligibility criteria and they receive invitation to apply.

Catalyst Fund: Previous McNulty Prize applicants and former McNulty Laureates at pivotal junctures are eligible for Catalyst Fund support.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values (Based on Official Criteria)

1. Transformational Leadership

• The foundation prioritizes leaders who have fundamentally changed their organizations, not just managed them
• You don't need to be the sole founder - what matters is demonstrating "leadership and advocacy shaping the direction" of the organization
• Leadership that has "revitalized organizations, led ventures through pivotal transformations, or led through a phase change of scale or effectiveness"
• Leaders who have been directly impacted by the problems they solve or are deeply connected to the communities they serve

2. Organizational Stage and Impact

• Mid-stage organizations with proven track records for McNulty Prize
• "Real, measurable impact in the communities or systems they work with, whether broad or deep"
• Financial health or clear plans for sustainability
• Positioned and ambitious to expand impact and influence

3. Problem Focus and Approach

• Addressing "deep, intractable challenges that negatively affect communities"
• Solutions relevant to communities around the world, whether locally, regionally, or globally scaled
• Community partnership approach - "trust and hand-in-hand coordination with the communities ventures work with"

4. Evidence and Storytelling

• Demonstrate impact through "data, evidence and storytelling"
• Provide existing materials showing proven impact and influence
• Include 1-2 letters of recommendation from funders, institutional partners, or subject-matter experts

Common Misconceptions to Avoid

The foundation has explicitly addressed these myths about applications:

Myth 1: Only nonprofits can apply

• Reality: The Prize recognizes leaders from various sectors including social enterprises, universities, and businesses - priority is social impact, not organizational structure

Myth 2: Must submit the exact venture from your Fellowship

• Reality: Can submit any organization where you've played a "decisive leadership role" - your Fellowship experience can have shaped your approach indirectly

Myth 3: Must be the founder

• Reality: Founder status is not mandatory - transformational leadership that fundamentally changed an organization is what matters

Myth 4: It's just about the money

• Reality: The $150,000 cash is supplemented by $150,000-$200,000 in non-monetary support including storytelling, networking, and platform opportunities

Recent Prize Winners as Examples

2025 Winners:

• Mohamed Ali Diini (Iftin Foundation, Somalia) - Mental health and economic opportunities in conflict zones
• Dr. Krithi K. Karanth (Centre for Wildlife Studies, India) - Conservation and community prosperity
• Layla Zaidane (Future Caucus, United States) - Bipartisan civic leadership

2024 Winners:

• Nedgine Paul Deroly & Jean-Claude Brizard (Anseye Pou Ayiti, Haiti) - Education transformation
• Saket Soni (Resilience Force) - Disaster recovery and job quality
• Gloria Walton (The Solutions Project) - Climate and economic justice

2023 Winners:

• Dr. Dixon Chibanda (Friendship Bench Zimbabwe) - Community-based mental healthcare
• Mirei Endara de Heras (Marea Verde) - Grassroots environmental solutions
• Aimée Eubanks Davis (Braven) - Career readiness for first-generation college students

These examples show the breadth of issues addressed and the community-centered, innovative approaches the foundation values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Aspen Fellowship is prerequisite - You must be an Aspen Institute or AGLN Fellow to access McNulty Prize or Catalyst Fund opportunities. Plan accordingly if this foundation aligns with your mission.

• Demonstrate transformational leadership, not just management - The foundation looks for leaders who have fundamentally changed their organizations' direction, scale, or effectiveness through moral courage and bold vision.

• Show deep community connection - Prioritize applications that demonstrate trust-based partnerships with communities and ideally show how you've been directly impacted by or deeply connected to the problem you're solving.

• Think beyond organizational structure - Don't self-eliminate based on being for-profit, hybrid, or university-based - what matters is social impact as your primary mission, supported by data, evidence, and compelling storytelling.

• Mid-stage organizations have advantage for Prize - If your venture is less than 2 years old or still in early stages, focus on developing your track record first or consider Catalyst Fund pathway when you're at a critical juncture.

• Value the non-monetary support - The foundation emphasizes that the $150,000-$200,000 in strategic advising, media/communications support, and networking may be as valuable as the cash award for expanding your impact.

• Engage your Fellowship Director early - Since nominations come through Aspen Initiatives, building a strong relationship with your Fellowship Director and clearly communicating your venture's alignment with Prize criteria is essential.

References

1. McNulty Foundation Official Website - Homepage (https://mcnultyfound.org/) - Accessed January 2026
2. McNulty Foundation - Prize Application & Eligibility (https://mcnultyfound.org/prize-application-eligibility) - Accessed January 2026
3. McNulty Foundation - Catalyst Fund Application & Eligibility (https://mcnultyfound.org/catalyst-fund-application-eligibility) - Accessed January 2026
4. McNulty Foundation - History & Legacy (https://mcnultyfound.org/about/history-legacy) - Accessed January 2026
5. McNulty Foundation - Who We Are (https://mcnultyfound.org/about/who-we-are) - Accessed January 2026
6. McNulty Foundation - "Applying For The McNulty Prize - 4 Things You Should Know" (https://mcnultyfound.org/ideas/4-myths-busted) - Accessed January 2026
7. McNulty Foundation - The Prize Jury (https://mcnultyfound.org/the-prize/jury) - Accessed January 2026
8. McNulty Foundation - "Announcing the 2025 Winners of the McNulty Prize" (https://mcnultyfound.org/ideas/2025-prize-announcement) - Accessed January 2026
9. McNulty Foundation - "Announcing the 2024 Winners of the McNulty Prize" (https://mcnultyfound.org/ideas/2024-prize-announcement) - Accessed January 2026
10. The Aspen Institute - "$450,000 McNulty Prize Awarded to Three Leaders Who Dare to Persist Amid Uncertainty and Conflict" (https://www.aspeninstitute.org/news/mcnulty-prize-2025-announcement/) - Accessed January 2026
11. The Aspen Institute - "McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund for Emerging Leaders Announces 2025 Awardees" (https://www.aspeninstitute.org/news/mcnulty-prize-catalyst-fund-2025/) - Accessed January 2026
12. Wharton Leadership Program - "About Anne and the McNulty Foundation" (https://leadership.wharton.upenn.edu/anne-mcnulty-foundation/) - Accessed January 2026
13. Hunter College - "About the McNulty Scholars Program" (https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/mcnulty/about/) - Accessed January 2026
14. GuideStar - "John P and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation Profile" (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-1445003) - Accessed January 2026
15. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - "John P And Anne Welsh Mcnulty Foundation" (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521445003) - Accessed January 2026