Macdonald Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $156,801 (FY 2024)
Total Assets: $37.8 million (FY 2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly available
Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
Geographic Focus: No specific geographic restrictions identified
Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

Address: Los Angeles, CA 90071

Managed by: San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust

Note: No public website, email, or phone number is available for this foundation.

Overview

The Macdonald Family Foundation was established in 1992 as a private family foundation in California. With assets totaling approximately $37.8 million as of fiscal year 2024, the foundation focuses on supporting education at all levels (elementary, secondary, and higher education), youth development, and human services. The foundation is managed by San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust and governed by trustees Peter Hilf, San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust, and Joyce-Ann Mahoney. As a private foundation, it primarily makes grants through trustee discretion rather than through a public application process. The foundation's annual charitable disbursements totaled $156,801 in fiscal year 2024, with revenue primarily derived from dividends (59.5%) and asset sales (39.9%).

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Based on IRS filings and nonprofit databases, the foundation has indicated interest in the following areas:

Elementary and Secondary Education: K-12 educational initiatives and programs
Higher Education: College and university programs
Youth Development: Youth development centers and clubs
Human Services: General human services programs
Community Recreation: Recreation programs and facilities
Mental Health Care: Mental health services and support
Historical Activities: Historical preservation and education
Shelter and Residential Care: Housing and residential support services

Priority Populations

Projects serving the following populations are of special interest:

Children and youth
Students (K-12 and higher education)
Economically disadvantaged individuals
Low-income and poor people
Females

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions have not been publicly documented. As a private foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

Peter Hilf, Trustee
San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust, Trustee (compensated $158,548 for 10 hours of work)
Joyce-Ann Mahoney, Trustee

The foundation is managed through San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust, which handles the administrative and fiduciary responsibilities of the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Macdonald Family Foundation is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion rather than accepting unsolicited applications. Grants are typically made to organizations and causes that are known to the trustees or brought to their attention through their networks.

As a private foundation filing Form 990-PF, the foundation is not required to maintain a public grant application process, and there is no evidence of grant guidelines, application forms, or deadlines available to the public.

Organizations interested in funding from this foundation would need to establish a relationship with the trustees or the foundation's management at San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the discretion of trustees without a public application cycle.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 31 grants in 2020, but more recent grant activity data is not publicly disclosed in searchable databases.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this is a private foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's structure and focus areas, the following may be relevant:

Alignment with Education Focus: The foundation has consistently indicated interest in education at all levels (elementary, secondary, and higher education) as well as youth development programs
Service to Priority Populations: Organizations serving children, youth, students, and economically disadvantaged populations align with the foundation's stated interests
Connection to Trustees: As grants are made through trustee discretion, having an existing relationship with the trustees or being brought to their attention through trusted connections would be critical
California/Los Angeles Connection: While no specific geographic restrictions are stated, the foundation is based in Los Angeles and may have preference for organizations in their community
Human Services Focus: Beyond education, the foundation has shown interest in human services, mental health care, and community recreation programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications
Trustee-Directed Grantmaking: Grants are made at the discretion of three trustees, with management through San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust
Education and Youth Focus: Primary areas of interest include K-12 education, higher education, and youth development programs
Modest Annual Giving: With approximately $156,801 in charitable disbursements in FY 2024, this is a small to medium-sized private foundation
Limited Public Information: Specific grant recipients, grant amounts, and detailed grantmaking priorities are not publicly disclosed in accessible databases
Relationship-Based: Success would depend on establishing connections with trustees or being known to the foundation's network
Established Foundation: Operating since 1992 with substantial assets ($37.8 million), indicating long-term stability

References

Information accessed December 24, 2025