McMillan Family Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 81-0855474 · since 2016mcmillanfamilyfoundation.com·Indiana·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$518k

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$5,100 to $410k

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$100k

Typical grant (median)

3 grants in the latest filing

Open to applications

Rolling, no deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

The foundation gives priority to the Northwest Indiana region and focuses on first responder support and public safety, so an organisation working in those areas on that ground fits its stated focus most clearly.
Most of its grants are modest: the median grant was $100,000 and half of its 7 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less, though its largest grant was $410,000, so a request near $100,000 is in line with its past giving.
The filing shows that 79% of its grant dollars in its most recent year went to organisations it had also funded in the two earlier filings, so much of its giving goes to existing relationships.
A first approach should therefore be a grant inquiry that shows how the work meets its questions about whether an idea is important, can make an enduring difference, is measurable and contributes to a multiplier effect.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no deadline to wait for, and a full proposal, under its Grant Proposal Guidelines, is submitted only if the foundation invites one.

Overview

McMillan Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Valparaiso, IN.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The foundation’s grantmaking focus is support for first responders and improvements in public safety across the Northwest Indiana region. It favours innovative, collaborative strategies that foster constructive community relationships. Its approach combines staff- and board-initiated grants with continuing or new support for current grantees, valuing long-term partnerships with organisations that share its aspirations and have demonstrated impact. In assessing ideas, it asks whether they are important, can make an enduring difference, are measurable and contribute to a multiplier effect. Occasional special initiatives support specific, time-limited opportunities consistent with its service mission and the region’s long-term strength, vitality and resilience.

Themes

First responder support
Public safety

Geographic Focus

Priority: Northwest Indiana region.

How to apply

Submit a grant inquiry; if invited, submit a grant proposal subject to the Grant Proposal Guidelines.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 79% 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 7 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

It asks whether an idea is important.
It asks whether an idea can make an enduring difference.
It asks whether an idea is measurable.
It asks whether an idea contributes to a multiplier effect.
It values long-term partnerships with organisations that share its aspirations and have demonstrated impact.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Indiana100%

The largest single recipient received 83% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 79% of grant dollars went to organisations McMillan Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
83% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

3 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $100k

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Porter County Community Foundation · Donation
$408,3332024 tax year
Purdue University Northwest · Donation
$100,0002024 tax year
Opportunity Enterprises · Donation
$9,2482024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Timothy Scannell — Board Member
John Wiktor — Treasurer / Secretary
George Douglas — Board Member
Kathryn McMillan — President
Stewart McMillan — Chairman

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$595,342	$405,129	$8,834,049	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$560,855	$342,500	$11,400,967	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$788,617	$517,581	$13,533,340	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.