Laurie C McGrath Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.3 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $25 million
• Geographic Focus: San Diego, CA (primary) with some national support

Contact Details

• Address: 4855 Ruffner St Suite B, San Diego, CA 92111
• Website: None publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Laurie C McGrath Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2020 with total revenue of $62.4 million. Founded by Laurie McGrath, CEO of McGrath Development Inc. and daughter of the late Bill McGrath (a pioneer in San Diego construction), the foundation focuses on healthcare infrastructure, animal welfare, disability services, and women and children's causes. The foundation has grown rapidly from 4 awards in its founding year to 38 awards totaling $3.3 million in 2023. Major transformational gifts include a $25 million donation to UC San Diego Health for the McGrath Outpatient Pavilion and $10 million to Sharp HealthCare for the McGrath Tower at Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes strategic donations across several focus areas:

• Healthcare Infrastructure: $10 million - $25 million (major capital projects)
• Animal Welfare: Variable amounts to organizations like PETA, Humane Society, SNAP San Diego
• Disability Services: Support for adaptive sports facilities including McGrath Mountain Center in Park City, Utah
• General Support: $25,000+ to aligned organizations

Priority Areas

• Healthcare infrastructure and services in San Diego
• Animal welfare organizations (national and local)
• Disability services and adaptive sports programs
• Women and children's causes

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the foundation only supports preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Governance and Leadership

Laurie C. McGrath - Founder and President

• CEO of McGrath Development, Inc. (founded 1988)
• Board member of National Ability Center
• Daughter of Bill McGrath, late pioneer in San Diego construction and real estate

McGrath has stated: "I want to be in the middle of it all. I want to do site visits, sit in a design meeting. You get to see it all take shape and be part of that. The most exciting thing for me is being involved in causes that make a real difference in the world."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership based on their own research and established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and Laurie McGrath's stated preferences:

• The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through San Diego philanthropic networks and sector connections in healthcare and animal welfare
• Laurie McGrath has stated she values hands-on involvement, including site visits and participation in design meetings
• Organizations that have received support have strong track records in San Diego or are nationally recognized leaders in their fields
• The foundation has a relationship with the National Ability Center where McGrath serves as a board member

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available as grants are made on an invitation-only basis.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

As this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on their giving patterns:

• The foundation supports organizations with transformational projects that can demonstrate significant community impact
• McGrath values being actively involved in the projects she funds, preferring organizations that welcome donor engagement
• Major healthcare grants have gone to established San Diego institutions for capital projects
• Animal welfare support follows family philanthropic traditions established through the related McGrath Family Foundation
• The foundation appears to value organizations that align with making "a real difference in the world" as stated by McGrath

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications
• Focus areas include healthcare infrastructure, animal welfare, disability services, and women/children's causes
• Major transformational gifts range from $10-25 million for healthcare capital projects
• Smaller programmatic grants start around $25,000
• Strong geographic preference for San Diego-based organizations
• Laurie McGrath prefers hands-on involvement in funded projects
• Review the foundation's 990-PF filings to understand giving patterns and identify past grantees

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Laurie C McGrath Foundation Profile (accessed February 2026)
• Instrumentl Foundation Profile - Laurie C McGrath Foundation (accessed February 2026)
• Sharp HealthCare News Release - "$10 Million Gift for McGrath Tower" (November 2023)
• UC San Diego Health Announcement - "$25 Million McGrath Outpatient Pavilion Gift" (December 2023)
• Grantmakers.io - Foundation Profile and Grant History (accessed February 2026)
• Charity Navigator - Foundation Overview (accessed February 2026)
• San Diego Union-Tribune - Coverage of McGrath Foundation Donations (2023-2024)
• HealthLeaders Media - Hospital Tower Donation Coverage (2023)