← Back to US Funders Directory

Diane J and Robert A McDonald Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.5M

Diane J and Robert A McDonald Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 82-3302288
  • Annual Giving: $458,500 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $12.5 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: Specific amounts not publicly disclosed
  • Number of Grants: 28 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National (based in Windermere, FL)
  • Application Process: No public application - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Mailing Address: Windermere, FL 34786

Note: The foundation does not have a dedicated website or public contact information for grant applications. They do not accept unsolicited requests for funding.

For more information about Robert A. McDonald's charitable activities: https://www.robertmcdonald.com/category/charitable-activities/

Overview

The Diane J and Robert A McDonald Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established by Robert A. McDonald and his wife Diane J. McDonald in Windermere, Florida. Robert McDonald is the former CEO and Chairman of Procter & Gamble (2009-2013) and served as the 8th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2014-2017). The foundation manages assets of approximately $12.5 million and distributed $458,500 in grants across 28 awards in 2023. The foundation focuses on supporting veterans' causes, female entrepreneurship, leadership development, and arts initiatives. As a private family foundation, they only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and do not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not offer formal grant programs with published guidelines or application processes. Instead, they make strategic contributions to organizations aligned with their philanthropic interests on an invitation-only basis.

Priority Areas

Based on publicly available information about grants and partnerships, the foundation supports:

Veterans Services and Support

  • Organizations supporting disabled veterans and veteran welfare
  • Veterans' homelessness prevention and support services
  • Mental health and wellness programs for veterans
  • The foundation was recognized by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in September 2021 for being a "champion for veterans and DAV's mission"

Female Entrepreneurship

  • Partnerships supporting first-time female founders
  • The foundation provides matching contributions with Main Street Ventures for the Wendy S. Lea Female Founder Grant awarded to first-time female founders and companies

Leadership Development

  • Support for character-based leadership programs
  • The McDonalds founded the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character at West Point, though this is separately funded

Arts and Cultural Programs

  • Support for patriotic music and cultural events
  • The foundation helped organize a benefit concert featuring the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Melinda Doolittle, and the West Point Glee Club

Education and Military Academy Support

  • West Point Association of Graduates (Robert McDonald serves as Chairman)
  • The McDonalds pledged $10 million to the West Point Association of Graduates in 2022 (potentially separate from the foundation)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications
  • Does not fund organizations outside their preselected network
  • Does not provide information about exclusions, as they operate on an invitation-only basis

Governance and Leadership

Robert A. McDonald - Co-Founder and Trustee

  • Former Chairman, President, and CEO of Procter & Gamble (2009-2013)
  • 8th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2014-2017)
  • Graduate of U.S. Military Academy at West Point
  • Current board positions include:
    • Chairman, Board of the West Point Association of Graduates
    • Chairman, Board of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation
    • Board member, Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation
    • Board member, Partnership for Public Service
    • Board member, McCormick Research Institute (Orlando, FL)

Diane J. McDonald - Co-Founder and Trustee

  • Co-founder with her husband of the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character
  • Active partner in the foundation's philanthropic initiatives

The foundation operates as a family foundation with the McDonalds making strategic decisions about grant recipients based on their personal connections and philanthropic priorities developed through Robert McDonald's distinguished career in business and public service.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Diane J and Robert A McDonald Family Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation indicates on its IRS Form 990-PF that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

This is a common structure for private family foundations, where trustees identify and select grant recipients based on their own research, networks, and strategic priorities rather than responding to external applications.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking appears to align with Robert McDonald's board positions and professional network. Organizations that might attract the foundation's attention include those working in:

  • Veterans services: Particularly organizations where Robert McDonald has direct involvement, such as through his work with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation or Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation
  • Leadership development: Organizations connected to military academies, particularly West Point, or character-based leadership programs
  • Female entrepreneurship: Programs connected to Main Street Ventures or similar entrepreneurship accelerators

Given Robert McDonald's board service on multiple veterans' and leadership organizations, relationships with these organizations or their networks may be the most direct pathway to the foundation's awareness.

Note: The foundation made 28 grants in 2023, suggesting they maintain relationships with a selective group of charitable organizations rather than broadly soliciting new partnerships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that receive support from the McDonald Family Foundation typically share these characteristics:

Alignment with Founders' Priorities

  • Strong track record in veterans' services, leadership development, or supporting women in business
  • Programs demonstrating measurable impact in their focus areas
  • Organizations where the McDonalds have personal knowledge or board-level connections

Established Credibility

  • Well-governed 501(c)(3) organizations with strong financial management
  • National reputation or significant regional impact in their sector
  • Connections to the McDonalds' professional networks (Procter & Gamble alumni, VA community, West Point network, veterans' service organizations)

Strategic Partnerships

  • The foundation engages in matching gift arrangements (as demonstrated with Main Street Ventures)
  • Organizations that can leverage the foundation's support with additional funding sources
  • Programs that align with Robert McDonald's board service commitments

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and operates on an invitation-only basis. Grant seekers should not submit unsolicited applications.

  • Preselected Organizations Only: The foundation explicitly states it only contributes to preselected charitable organizations. With only 28 grants made in 2023, they maintain a focused portfolio of grantees.

  • Network-Based Grantmaking: The foundation's grants appear to align with Robert McDonald's extensive board service and professional networks, particularly in veterans' services and leadership development.

  • Focus on Veterans and Leadership: Based on publicly available information, the foundation prioritizes veterans' causes (particularly through organizations like DAV and Boulder Crest), leadership development (particularly at West Point), and supporting female entrepreneurs.

  • Consider Partnership Approaches: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to provide matching support (e.g., with Main Street Ventures), suggesting they may be open to co-funding arrangements with other philanthropic entities.

  • Significant Assets, Selective Giving: With $12.5 million in assets but only $458,500 in grants (approximately 3.7% payout), the foundation maintains conservative grantmaking relative to its asset base.

  • Relationship-Driven: Organizations seeking support should focus on relationship-building through shared networks rather than formal applications, particularly through connections to Robert McDonald's board service organizations or the VA community.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory