The McGee Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives by invitation only, so a small charity should not send a cold proposal and should look first for an introduction.
- Its recorded giving centres on needs-based student scholarships delivered through universities and college foundations, and on community development, especially in the West Side community, so work in those areas is the closest fit.
- Half of its 20 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fell between $2,500 and $160,000, so a modest request is a realistic starting point, though its largest grant was $200,000.
- Repeat giving is strong, with 100% of its grant dollars to organisations in its most recent filing going to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, but new organisations should not be put off by this.
- No geographic focus is stated, though the filing shows grants mainly in West Virginia, and no general eligibility requirements are set out.
Overview
The McGee Foundation is a US private foundation based in Charleston, WV.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (westsidetogether.org, bluefieldstate.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s recorded giving centres on needs-based scholarships for students, delivered through universities and college foundations, alongside efforts to develop, improve and restore economic vitality in the West Side community. It also records smaller grants for promoting philanthropy. For the West Side, it describes a commitment to addressing issues identified by residents and using an equitable community-development and investment model to invest in community needs and attract other funding. Its filings show a substantial education focus and a sustained commitment to local community development; they do not set out general eligibility requirements for organisations.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Student scholarships
- Community development
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in West Virginia.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 100% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 20 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 33% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 100% of grant dollars went to organisations The McGee Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 33% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 7 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $100k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Greater Kanawha Valley · Developing, improving, and restoring economic vitality in the west side community$160,0002024 tax year
- Southern WV Community College Foundation · Direct benefit for students through needs based scholarships$100,0002024 tax year
- Glenville State University · Direct benefit for students through needs based scholarships$100,0002024 tax year
- Bluefield State University · Direct benefit for students through needs based scholarships$100,0002024 tax year
- West Virginia State University Foundation · Direct benefit for students through needs based scholarships$66,2032024 tax year
- Kanawha Valley Council on Philanthropy · Developing, improving, and restoring economic vitality in the west side community$10,0002024 tax year
- Philanthropy West Virginia · Promoting philanthropy throughout west virginia and across the nation$2,5002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Christopher Alexander — Director
- Emory Kinder Wright — Director
- William Deberniere Mebane Jr — Chairman & President
- John Kuykendall — Director Emeritus
- Stephen E Kawash CPA — Treasurer
- J Michael Hines — Secretary
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,109,695 | $572,763 | $18,519,638 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,239,443 | $581,009 | $19,108,560 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,062,869 | $538,703 | $21,135,049 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The McGee Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Charleston, WV
Applying to The McGee Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Charleston, WV