Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Foundation (McIlhenny Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,052,423 (2023); $1,185,313 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Results notified by December 15 (for October 15 deadline); pre-qualification decisions within 2 weeks
• Grant Range: ~$85 – $270,000 (typical awards average ~$13,493–$18,000)
• Geographic Focus: Southern United States, with emphasis on New Orleans, Louisiana area

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Contact Details

• Website: mcilhenny.org
• Email: info@mcilhenny.org
• Registered Address: 39 Farnham Pl, Metairie, LA 70005-4007
• EIN: 72-1404522
• Pre-Application Portal: mcilhenny.org/prequalification
• Application Submission Portal: mcilhenny.org/completed-applications

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Overview

The Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Foundation — operating publicly as the McIlhenny Foundation — was established in 1997 by Gustaf W. McIlhenny ("Bo"), a member of the family behind the renowned TABASCO brand pepper sauce (his paternal grandfather was Edmund McIlhenny, the sauce's inventor). The foundation exists as a lasting memorial to Gustaf's commitment to "health, education, and traditional American values." It is a private grantmaking foundation with total assets of approximately $20.3–21 million. Annual grant distributions have grown steadily, reaching $1.05 million across 78 awards in 2023 and $1.19 million across 75 awards in 2024. The foundation's mission is to "Support Community, Conservation, Education, and Health organizations that advance traditional values for all Americans," with a geographic emphasis on the southern United States and particularly New Orleans, Louisiana. The family's deep connection to Avery Island, Louisiana — home of the McIlhenny Company — shapes a strong interest in Gulf Coast conservation.

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Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation funds two types of support:

• Programmatic/Operating Support: Funding for ongoing programs and general operations — the most common grant type. Documented examples range from small sponsorships ($5,000–$9,999) to mid-size program grants ($85,000–$100,000).
• Capital Support: Funding for bricks-and-mortar projects, equipment, and endowment building. This stream supports physical infrastructure needs.

Application is online-only and all submissions must be in PDF format, no larger than 25 MB.

Priority Areas

• Community: Broad community benefit organizations, shelters, and local service organisations. (Known recipients include the New Orleans Women & Children's Shelter and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.)
• Conservation: Wildlife habitat, wetland restoration, and biodiversity protection, particularly along the Gulf Coast and Louisiana wetlands. (Known recipient: Ducks Unlimited — $100,000 for coastal wetland restoration in Vermilion Parish.)
• Education: Schools, youth programmes, and arts education. (Known recipients: Stuart Hall School for Boys, The Bright School for the Deaf, Young Audiences of Louisiana.)
• Health: Health-focused nonprofits advancing access and opportunity.

States Served

Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington DC. Primary emphasis is on Louisiana and the broader southern United States.

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are published on the foundation's website. However, based on the foundation's stated mission and history:

• Organizations outside the United States are unlikely to qualify.
• Organizations not classified as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities are unlikely to be eligible (a status certification form is required at application).
• Projects that do not align with Community, Conservation, Education, or Health focus areas are unlikely to receive support.

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Governance and Leadership

Officers:

• Edwin R. Rodriguez Jr. — President (compensated at $144,000/year; approximately 6 hours/week). Known publicly as "Rod Rodriguez Jr." Quote on record: "The Gustaf W. McIlhenny Foundation is thrilled to support the growth and development of Stuart Hall."
• Judith G. McIlhenny — Secretary (compensated at $60,000/year; approximately 3 hours/week). A member of the founding McIlhenny family.

Committee/Board Members:

• Eleanor R. Brown
• Rosemary M. Dinkins
• Barbara M. Fitz-Hugh
• Clark P. Fitz-Hugh
• Elizabeth R. Jaeger
• Edwin R. Rodriguez III

The foundation's leadership reflects close family ties — board members carry the McIlhenny, Rodriguez, Fitz-Hugh, Brown, Dinkins, and Jaeger surnames, suggesting an intergenerational family governance structure.

Family Legacy Note: Paul McIlhenny (former President and CEO of the McIlhenny Company) stated: "As stewards of the wetlands surrounding Avery Island our family has managed this habitat for all species and in a manner consistent with Ducks Unlimited's mission." This quote reflects the conservation values embedded in the McIlhenny family ethos that underpin the foundation's funding priorities.

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Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation operates a structured, two-stage online application process. Applications are only accepted online — no mail-in applications are accepted.

Stage 1 — Pre-Qualification:

1. Submit the online pre-qualification form via mcilhenny.org/prequalification before the calendar deadline.
2. Within two weeks, applicants receive notification of whether they may proceed to full application.

Stage 2 — Full Application:

1. Download the appropriate application form:
   • Programmatic/Operating Support form (PDF)
   • Capital Support form (PDF)
2. Also complete the Status Certification Form (confirming 501(c)(3) status).
3. Submit the completed application (PDF, maximum 25 MB) online via mcilhenny.org/completed-applications.

Decision Timeline

• Pre-Qualification decision: Within 2 weeks of submission.
• Annual application deadline: October 15.
• Grant decision notification: By December 15.

This suggests a single annual cycle with applications due in October and decisions announced by mid-December.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation awards 70–78 grants per year across a broad range of geographic areas and focus sectors.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is published. Given that the foundation funds organisations across multiple years (e.g., supporting the Southern Food & Beverage Museum's culinary entrepreneurship programme since 2016), repeat grants appear to be awarded to organisations with established relationships.

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Application Success Factors

Based on verified information about this specific foundation:

1. Southern US Focus Is Non-Negotiable: The foundation explicitly states it primarily supports nonprofits in the southern United States, with emphasis on New Orleans. Organisations outside this geography should assess fit carefully.

2. Four Pillars Matter: Applications should clearly position within one or more of the four stated priorities — Community, Conservation, Education, or Health — and should use language that reflects "traditional values" and "sustainable programs." This terminology comes directly from the foundation's own mission statement.

3. Conservation Grants Can Be Substantial: The $100,000 Ducks Unlimited grant for Louisiana coastal wetland restoration shows the foundation is willing to make significant investments in conservation, particularly projects tied to Gulf Coast habitats and biodiversity.

4. Capital and Infrastructure Needs Are Fundable: The $85,000 grant to Stuart Hall School for Boys for a campus-wide emergency notification system demonstrates that bricks-and-mortar and safety infrastructure projects are within scope under the Capital Support stream.

5. Long-Term Relationships Appear Valued: The foundation has supported the McIlhenny Company-linked Culinary Entrepreneurship Programme at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum since 2016, suggesting that multi-year relationships are cultivated.

6. Pre-Qualification Is a Real Filter: The two-stage process (pre-qualification then full application) means that grant writers should invest time in crafting a strong pre-qualification submission, as this determines whether a full application will be invited.

7. Online-Only Submissions: All materials must be submitted through the foundation's online portal in PDF format. There are no mail-in alternatives. Applications must not exceed 25 MB.

8. Leadership Quote to Align With: President Rod Rodriguez Jr. has said the foundation is "thrilled to support the growth and development" of grantees — suggesting that grants to organisations in growth phases or undertaking meaningful development projects resonate with leadership.

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Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Confirm Geographic Eligibility First: This foundation's southern US/New Orleans emphasis is central. Organisations in Louisiana, and particularly New Orleans, are well-positioned. Organisations in other southern states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, etc.) may apply but should demonstrate clear programmatic ties to the region.
• Use the Foundation's Own Language: Reference "traditional values," "sustainable programs," and "access and opportunity" — these terms come directly from the foundation's mission and vision statements.
• Two-Stage Process Requires Planning: Build time for the pre-qualification review (up to 2 weeks) before the October 15 deadline. Do not wait until October to begin the process.
• Conservation Projects with Gulf Coast Impact Are Strong Fits: The family's stewardship roots at Avery Island and the $100,000 Ducks Unlimited grant signal strong appetite for wetland, habitat, and biodiversity projects in Louisiana and the Gulf region.
• Capital Support Is Available: Unlike many private foundations, this one explicitly offers a Capital Support track, making it worth approaching for equipment, facilities, or endowment-building needs.
• Average Grant Is ~$13,000–$18,000 But Larger Grants Exist: Plan budget requests accordingly — the average suggests most grants are modest, but documented awards of $85,000–$100,000 show capacity for larger investments when the fit is right.
• Contact via Email for Clarification: The foundation's publicly listed contact is info@mcilhenny.org — it is appropriate to reach out with pre-application questions before submitting the pre-qualification form.

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References

1. Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Foundation — ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer URL: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721404522 Accessed: February 2026 (Source of EIN, financial data, filing dates, leadership compensation)

2. McIlhenny Foundation Official Website — Home URL: https://mcilhenny.org/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source of founding history, mission statement, overview)

3. McIlhenny Foundation — Mission Page URL: https://mcilhenny.org/mission/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source of mission and vision statements, geographic focus, priority areas)

4. McIlhenny Foundation — Applications Page URL: https://mcilhenny.org/applications/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source of application process details, two-stage process, online-only requirements, file size limits)

5. McIlhenny Foundation — Calendar Page URL: https://mcilhenny.org/calendar/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source of October 15 deadline and December 15 notification dates)

6. McIlhenny Foundation — Board of Directors Page URL: https://mcilhenny.org/board-directors/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source of officer names, committee member names)

7. McIlhenny Foundation — Contact Page URL: https://mcilhenny.org/contacts/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source of contact email: info@mcilhenny.org)

8. Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Foundation — Ducks Unlimited Press Release URL: https://www.ducks.org/newsroom/gustaf-westfeldt-mcilhenny-family-foundation Accessed: February 2026 (Source of $100,000 conservation grant, Paul McIlhenny quote, wetland restoration project details)

9. Stuart Hall Receives Grant for Security System Improvements — Stuart Hall School for Boys URL: https://www.stuarthall.org/news/stuart-hall-receives-grant-for-security-system-improvements Accessed: February 2026 (Source of $85,000 capital grant, Rod Rodriguez Jr. quote; page returned 404 at time of research — referenced via search engine cached summary)

10. Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Foundation — CauseIQ Profile URL: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/gustaf-westfeldt-mcilhenny-family-foundation,721404522/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source of financial overview, grant counts by year, geographic distribution)

11. Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Foundation — Instrumentl 990 Report URL: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/gustaf-westfeldt-mcilhenny-family-foundation Accessed: February 2026 (Source of 2024 total giving $1,185,313, 75 awards, grant range $85–$270,000, state distribution)

12. Gustaf W. McIlhenny Foundation — GrantStation Profile URL: https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/gustaf-w-mcilhenny-foundation Accessed: February 2026 (Source of types of support, geographic scope, states served)

13. Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Foundation — The ShareWay URL: https://www.theshareway.com/funder/gustaf-westfeldt-06887 Accessed: February 2026 (Source of median grant size $7,300, average grant size $18,000, total giving $1.1 million, 60 grants historical data)

14. New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity — 2020 Donor Honor Roll URL: https://habitat-nola.org/donor-honor-roll-2020/ Accessed: February 2026 (Source confirming foundation donated in $5,000–$9,999 range to Habitat for Humanity)

15. Young Audiences of Louisiana — Supporters Page URL: https://www.ya4la.org/about-us/supporters Accessed: February 2026 (Confirms foundation as funder of arts education programs for youth)

16. New Orleans Women & Children's Shelter — Donors Page URL: https://nowcs.org/donors/ Accessed: February 2026 (Confirms foundation as donor to NOWCS)

17. National WWII Museum — American Spirit Awards Sponsors URL: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/events-programs/special-events/american-spirit-awards/american-spirit-awards-major-sponsors Accessed: February 2026 (Confirms foundation as "Friends" level sponsor of the National WWII Museum event)