Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $11,657,155 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application)
- Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
- Grant Range: Varies widely based on 990 data
- Geographic Focus: Primarily Chicago area
Contact Details
No public contact information available Trustee: Northern Trust Company, Chicago, IL
Overview
The Nancy A Lauter And Alfred L McDougal Charitable Fund is a private independent foundation established in 2002 with tax-exempt status. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the foundation has consistently made substantial grants to multiple organizations, distributing $11,657,155 across 11 grants in 2023. The foundation was created by Alfred L. McDougal (1931-2014) and Nancy Lauter McDougal, who made their fortune through McDougal, Littell & Company, a publisher of educational materials. This foundation operates alongside the separate McDougal Family Foundation (EIN 36-3943431), which the couple established in 1994 with distinct focus areas of education and water conservation.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but makes discretionary grants to established institutions, particularly in the arts and culture sector.
Priority Areas
- Contemporary art and museum support
- Cultural institutions
- Educational institutions
- Arts exhibitions and programming
What They Don't Fund
Not publicly specified; however, the foundation's giving pattern suggests a focus on established institutions rather than grassroots organizations or individuals.
Governance and Leadership
The foundation operates under the trusteeship of Northern Trust Company in Chicago. As a private foundation, it maintains minimal public presence with no listed staff or board members publicly identified beyond the trustee arrangement.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.
Getting on Their Radar
Given the foundation's focus on contemporary art and their documented support of major Chicago cultural institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, organizations in the contemporary art space may benefit from building relationships with these institutions and their development departments, as they may have insights into the foundation's giving patterns.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a public application process.
Success Rates
Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - the foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than an application process.
Application Success Factors
Since this foundation does not accept public applications, success factors focus on institutional relationships:
- Being an established cultural or educational institution with strong reputation
- Having demonstrated impact in contemporary art or education
- Maintaining excellence in programming that aligns with the founders' interests
- Building relationships with peer institutions that receive funding
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications
- Focus is primarily on established cultural institutions, particularly those supporting contemporary art
- The foundation consistently makes approximately 11 grants annually
- Related but separate from the McDougal Family Foundation, which does accept applications for education and water conservation projects
- Organizations seeking funding should focus on building institutional reputation and relationships rather than direct application
- Consider applying to the McDougal Family Foundation instead if your work aligns with education equity or water conservation
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Nancy A Lauter And Alfred L McDougal Charitable Fund (accessed February 2026)
- Candid Foundation Directory Profile (accessed February 2026)
- Instrumentl 990 Reports Database (accessed February 2026)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Donor Lists (accessed February 2026)
- McDougal Family Foundation Website (accessed February 2026)
- Art Institute of Chicago - Alfred L. McDougal and Nancy Lauter McDougal Fund for Contemporary Art (accessed February 2026)
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