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The McConnell Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.8M
Grant Range
$30K - $0.1M
Decision Time
4mo

The McConnell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9,780,004 (2023)
  • Assets: Approximately $500 million
  • Decision Time: Applications open mid-January; awards announced in Spring (typically June)
  • Grant Range: Up to $30,000 - $50,000 (through McConnell Fund)
  • Geographic Focus: Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties in Northern California; also Nepal and Laos internationally

Contact Details

The McConnell Foundation

For Grant Applications (through Community Foundation of the North State):

Overview

The McConnell Foundation was established in 1964 by Carl and Leah McConnell to share the benefit of their lifelong accomplishments. Though formally created in 1964, significant grantmaking began in 1989 when the asset base expanded dramatically to approximately $42 million after Leah McConnell contributed her interest in a trust. Today, the foundation holds financial assets valued at approximately $500 million, making it the largest private foundation north of San Francisco. Since beginning grantmaking in 1989, the foundation has awarded more than $258 million to nonprofit organizations, public education institutions, and government entities. In 2023 alone, the foundation made 132 awards totaling $9,780,004. The foundation's mission is helping build better communities today and for future generations through strategic philanthropy focused on children, youth, education, community vitality, and environmental sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The McConnell Fund (administered by Community Foundation of the North State)

  • Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama Counties: Up to $50,000
  • Trinity and Modoc Counties: Up to $30,000
  • Application method: Online portal through Community Foundation of the North State
  • Grant cycle: Annual spring cycle (applications typically open mid-January)

The McConnell Fund awards grants primarily for the purchase of equipment or building-related projects. Recent awards (Spring 2025) included transport vehicles, HVAC systems, security cameras, storage cabinets, refrigerators, computers, and heavy equipment. The fund awarded $632,142 to 29 nonprofits in Spring 2025.

Direct Foundation Programs In addition to The McConnell Fund, the foundation operates several direct programs with significantly larger grants:

  • McConnell Scholars Program: $876,000 (2024)
  • NatureBridge in Yosemite Program: $140,000 (2025)
  • Major community infrastructure projects: Grants ranging from $70,000 to $1,500,000
  • International programs: Grants up to $700,000

Priority Areas

  • Children, Youth & Education: Scholarship programs, college and career readiness initiatives, educational institutions
  • Community Vitality: Downtown revitalization, affordable housing, active lifestyles, creative placemaking, municipal infrastructure
  • Arts & Culture: Cultural organizations and programs
  • Recreation: Parks, trails, sports facilities
  • Environment: Environmental education, sustainability, wildfire mitigation
  • Social Services: Support for vulnerable populations
  • Healthcare: Community health initiatives
  • International: Community development in Nepal and Laos (conflict transformation, access to justice, women's leadership, water quality)

What They Don't Fund

The McConnell Fund explicitly does not award grants for:

  • Administrative, operating, or program expenses (including personnel costs)
  • Items consumable in nature
  • Planning costs
  • Budget deficits
  • Endowment funds
  • Annual fund drives
  • Essential government services
  • Individuals
  • For-profit businesses
  • Sectarian religious purposes
  • Building or land purchases
  • Permanent improvements to buildings or land not owned by the applicant organization

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • John A. Mancasola - President & CEO (Director since 1991, CEO since 2017)
  • Eva V. Jimenez - Board Chair (Director since 2021), Administrator at Shasta College
  • Pamela M. Newman - Director (since 2022), Publisher of North State Parent magazine; first Siskiyou County resident to serve on the board
  • C. Dean Germano - Director (since 2024), Retired CEO of Shasta Community Health (served 32 years)
  • Lee W. Salter - Director (since 1985), Former President & CEO (retired 2018)

Director Emeritus

  • Doreeta J. Domke
  • William W. Cox

Key Leadership Staff

  • Shannon Phillips - Chief Operating Officer
  • Rebecca Andrews - Controller and Treasurer
  • Kelly Salter - Senior Program Officer, Children, Youth & Education
  • Dave Tanner - Senior Program Officer, Scholarships
  • Alex Carter - Director of Ecosystem Resilience
  • Jesica Rhone - Director of International Programs
  • China Rose Morrison - Director of Human Resources

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For grants up to $50,000 (through The McConnell Fund):

The McConnell Foundation's external grantmaking program for smaller grants is accomplished through a partnership with the Community Foundation of the North State. The foundation is not directly involved with these grants.

  1. Applications must be submitted online through the Community Foundation's grant portal at https://cfnorthstate.org/grants
  2. Paper applications are not accepted
  3. Applicants can preview application questions before the cycle opens
  4. Applications typically open in mid-January
  5. Deadline is typically early March (March 5, 2025 for the most recent cycle)

For larger grants and direct foundation programs:

The McConnell Foundation makes strategic grants beyond The McConnell Fund for major projects, particularly in community vitality, education initiatives, and international programs. These appear to be by invitation or through direct relationship with the foundation. Contact the foundation directly at (530) 226-6200 to discuss potential partnership opportunities.

Decision Timeline

  • Application opens: Mid-January
  • Application deadline: Early March
  • Award notifications: Spring (typically June)
  • Total timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from application deadline to notification

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, in the Spring 2025 cycle, The McConnell Fund awarded grants to 29 organizations out of all applicants. The foundation made 132 total awards in 2023 across all programs, suggesting active grantmaking. The foundation notes: "We are rarely the sole funder of any project" and values partnerships with other funders.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Contact the Community Foundation of the North State at (530) 244-1219 for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Priorities

The foundation emphasizes:

  • Broad-based community support: Projects that demonstrate wide community backing
  • Partnership approach: The foundation notes "we are rarely the sole funder of any project," indicating preference for collaborative funding arrangements
  • Tangible infrastructure needs: Through The McConnell Fund, prioritize equipment and building-related projects over operating expenses
  • Geographic focus: Must serve Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, or Trinity Counties

Recent Successful Projects

Examples from 2023-2024 grants demonstrate funding patterns:

Education and Youth Development:

  • McConnell Scholars Program (ongoing scholarship support)
  • NatureBridge Yosemite Program (experiential environmental education)

Community Infrastructure:

  • Siskiyou County Job Council - Yreka Carnegie Library Rehabilitation: $500,000
  • City of Redding - Block 7 affordable housing: $1,072,273
  • City of Shasta Lake - Bizz Johnson Ballpark facilities: $165,000
  • United Way of Northern California - Micro Shelter Community Hygiene Facilities: $78,140

Arts and Culture:

  • Turtle Bay Exploration Park - Operating support: $1,500,000
  • Turtle Bay Exploration Park - Sustainability Gardens maintenance: $70,000

Equipment and Capacity:

  • Girls Inc. Northern Sacramento Valley - Storage cabinets, refrigerator, security cameras
  • Transport vehicles, HVAC systems, computers, heavy equipment for various organizations

Strategic Considerations

  • County variations: Grant maximums differ by county (up to $50,000 in Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama vs. up to $30,000 in Trinity, Modoc)
  • Equipment focus: The McConnell Fund specifically targets durable goods and infrastructure rather than consumables or operating costs
  • Community impact: Projects should demonstrate clear community benefit and align with foundation priorities in education, vitality, environment, or social services
  • Eligible applicants only: Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public education institution, or government entity in the five-county region

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Dual funding streams: Understand the difference between The McConnell Fund (up to $50,000 for equipment/building projects) and the foundation's direct strategic grants (which can be much larger for major initiatives)
  • Partnership mindset: Frame applications as part of a broader funding strategy; the foundation prefers to be one of multiple funders rather than sole supporter
  • Equipment and infrastructure: For McConnell Fund applications, focus on tangible, durable purchases that will have lasting impact - not operating costs or consumable items
  • Geographic specificity: Grant amounts vary by county location; know your maximum before applying
  • Application timing: Applications open only once annually in January; plan ahead and don't miss the early March deadline
  • Community demonstration: Show broad community support and clear alignment with foundation priorities in children/youth, community vitality, environment, or social services
  • Long-term relationships: The foundation has sustained multi-year relationships with organizations like Turtle Bay Exploration Park and NatureBridge, suggesting value in building ongoing partnerships

References

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