D W McMillan Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,433,350
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $220,000 (median $10,000)
• Geographic Focus: Escambia County, AL and Escambia County, FL

Contact Details

No public website or published contact information available. Foundation operates from Brewton, Alabama.

Overview

The D W McMillan Foundation is a private foundation established in Brewton, Alabama with approximately $25.3 million in assets. The foundation awards approximately $1.4 million annually through about 67 grants, with a specific mission to promote the general welfare of poor and needy inhabitants of Escambia County, Alabama and Escambia County, Florida, without regard to race, creed or color. The foundation provides aid through grants to local health and welfare organizations that give direct assistance to those in need.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses exclusively on programs that provide direct aid to poor and needy residents, with recent grants ranging from $10,000 to $220,000:

• Human services organizations: $10,000 - $220,000
• Medical and healthcare facilities: $10,000 - $155,000
• Government social services: $10,000 - $155,000

Priority Areas

• Direct welfare assistance to poor and needy individuals
• Medical aid and healthcare services
• Human services programs
• Emergency assistance
• Basic needs support

What They Don't Fund

• Programs outside Escambia County, AL or Escambia County, FL
• Organizations that don't provide direct aid to poor and needy residents
• General operational support without specific focus on direct assistance

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of compensated trustees:

• Robert R. Smith Jr.
• Michael N. Hoke III
• Allison R. Sinrod
• Daniel W. McMillan

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 they identify as effectively serving poor and needy residents in their geographic focus areas.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a discretionary basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant recipients, organizations most likely to receive funding:

• Have established track records serving poor and needy residents in Escambia County, AL or FL
• Provide direct, tangible assistance rather than indirect services
• Can demonstrate measurable impact on poverty alleviation
• Include major institutions like Catholic Charities ($220,000 grant in 2023) and government departments ($155,000 to Department of Human Resources in 2023)
• Maintain strong local presence and community connections in the target counties

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process
• Focus exclusively on direct aid to poor and needy residents of two specific counties
• Median grant size is $10,000, but can go up to $220,000 for major partners
• Strong preference for established organizations with proven track records
• Healthcare, human services, and government social service agencies are primary recipients
• Building relationships with trustees and demonstrating local impact would be essential for consideration

References

• Cause IQ Foundation Profile (accessed March 2026)
• Grantmakers.io D W McMillan Foundation Profile (accessed March 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - D W McMillan Foundation (accessed March 2026)
• Foundation Center Online Profile (accessed March 2026)
• Various aggregated grant databases showing 2023 grant recipients