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KHR McNeely Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.7M

KHR McNeely Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,695,541 (2023)
  • Total Revenue: $248,727,002
  • Total Awards: 73 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Northern California and worldwide
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Application Process: No unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: 276 Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476

Note: The foundation does not have a publicly listed website, phone number, or general email contact.

Overview

The KHR McNeely Family Foundation (also known as KHR Family Fund) is a private family foundation based in Sonoma, California. Led by Kevin McNeely (President & CEO), Rosemary McNeely (Vice President & Chief Program Director), and Hannah Rose McNeely (Program Adviser and Marketing Director), the foundation is committed to advancing the arts, education, environmental stewardship, and community development. The foundation supports cultural institutions, land trusts, artist residencies, and youth-focused education programs both in the United States and internationally. In 2023, the foundation distributed $12.7 million across 73 grants to organizations in multiple states including California, Colorado, and the District of Columbia. The foundation was recognized as a 2025 Angel Award Recipient by the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) for its philanthropic support of the arts, education, health, the environment, and social justice in Northern California and worldwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs. Known funding areas include:

  • Arts Education Scholarships: Full-ride college scholarships for creative arts students, including coverage of housing, meals, tuition, and equipment. The foundation has partnered with the Sonoma International Film Festival to award scholarships to Sonoma Valley High School students.

  • Cultural Institutions: Sustained support for organizations such as the Sonoma International Film Festival, Whitney Museum of American Art, and other cultural institutions.

  • Community Development: Support for local organizations including Sonoma Community Center and Jack London Park Partners.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and public statements, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Arts & Culture: Performing arts, film, visual arts, and cultural institutions
  • Education: Youth-focused education programs, creative arts education, and scholarship programs
  • Environmental Stewardship: Land trusts and environmental conservation
  • Health & Social Justice: Community health initiatives and social justice programs
  • Community Development: Local Sonoma Valley initiatives and international development projects

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

Kevin McNeely - President & CEO of KHR Family Fund; also serves as Executive Director/Festival Director of Sonoma International Film Festival and Director Emeritus

Rosemary McNeely - Vice President & Chief Program Director

Hannah Rose McNeely - Program Adviser and Marketing Director

The foundation operates as a family-led philanthropic organization with four employees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The KHR McNeely Family Foundation 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 awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic interests and existing relationships with organizations. The foundation identifies beneficiaries through the family's involvement in the community and their personal knowledge of organizations aligned with their mission.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking patterns suggest the following specific approaches:

Community Presence in Sonoma Valley: The foundation shows strong support for Sonoma-based organizations. Organizations with a presence in Sonoma Valley, particularly those involved in arts, education, or environmental work, may be more likely to come to the trustees' attention.

Sonoma International Film Festival Connection: Given Kevin McNeely's role as Executive Director of the Sonoma International Film Festival, organizations connected to film, media arts, or those that partner with SIFF may have opportunities for introduction to the family's philanthropic work.

Board Member Networks: The foundation's approach suggests that trustees identify projects through their personal networks and board involvement in the sector. Organizations where the McNeely family members serve on boards or have advisory roles represent the primary pathway to funding relationships.

Established Organizations: Review of the foundation's 990-PF filing shows that if the foundation supports the same grantees yearly, it is difficult to break in, but if the foundation funds a variety of grantees each year with new groups regularly appearing, it may be possible to become a "preselected" organization in the future.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with trustee discretion, the following factors appear to influence their grantmaking:

Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for organizations serving Northern California, particularly Sonoma Valley, though the foundation also supports international work.

Arts & Education Focus: The foundation shows particular commitment to creative arts education, as evidenced by their comprehensive scholarship program that covers "housing, meals, tuition and equipment, as long as they remain enrolled in their creative arts program and adhere to guidelines."

Long-term Relationships: The foundation appears to maintain sustained support for select organizations rather than making one-time grants, particularly for cultural institutions like the Sonoma International Film Festival.

Family Values Alignment: Organizations should align with the family's stated priorities in arts, education, health, environment, and social justice.

Community Impact: The foundation's support of local Sonoma organizations like the Sonoma Community Center and Jack London Park Partners suggests they value community-based work with tangible local impact.

Youth Development: The scholarship program and support for youth-focused education programs indicate a priority on investing in young people's futures.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted - This foundation operates entirely through trustee discretion and preselected organizations
  • Strong local focus - Despite international giving, there is significant support for Sonoma Valley organizations
  • Arts education emphasis - The foundation has demonstrated commitment to comprehensive support for creative arts students, including full scholarships
  • Family-led approach - All three family members are actively involved in program decisions and community engagement
  • Multi-year commitments - Evidence suggests the foundation prefers sustained partnerships with organizations rather than one-time grants
  • ISPA recognition - The 2025 Angel Award from the International Society for the Performing Arts validates their significant impact in arts philanthropy
  • Relationship-based - Grant opportunities arise through board connections, community involvement, and existing relationships with the McNeely family

References

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