GE McDonald Foundation
The GE McDonald Foundation is a private foundation based in Billings, Montana. It supports religious, educational, environmental, and other charitable purposes, and reported 16 grants totaling $171,946 in 2025.
GE McDonald Foundation at a glance
In short: GE McDonald Foundation gave $172K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Montana. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $171,946
- +7.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,747
- -6.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,175
- Total assets
- $906,485
- +39.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Montana (53% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to GE McDonald Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit the application and required materials to the foundation. The filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations and that there are no limits on the geographic areas, charitable fields, or amounts requested.
- Review Cycle
- The filing directs applicants to contact the foundation at its mailing address; it does not state a fixed deadline.
- Deadline
- The filing directs applicants to contact the foundation at its mailing address; it does not state a fixed deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: Gregory C Mcdonald
Mailing address: 514 Shadow Lawn Court, Billings, MT 59102
Phone: (406) 690-8875
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who GE McDonald Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption ($80K). Together the top 10 received $166K.
Grant Size Distribution
70 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 70 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing states that it places no geographic limitations on grants. In 2025, 53% of grant dollars went to recipients in Montana and 47% to recipients in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is GE McDonald Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 16 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $50; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $50 first-time, $7K repeat.
- 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 534% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $112K (2020) to $206K (2021). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $172K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Dublin, OH | Program Sponsorship | $80,110 |
| MSU Billings Foundation Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $25,187 |
| Alberta Bair Theater Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Billings Family YMCA Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Rocky Mountain College Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Zoo Montana Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Community Leadership and Development Inc Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $7,500 |
| Boys & Girls Club Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $7,099 |
| Billings Catholic Schools Foundation Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $3,250 |
| Billings Rotary Foundation Billings, MT | Program Sponsorship | $3,150 |
Ready to take the next step with GE McDonald Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $906,485 | $488,473 | $230,840 | $171,946 | 16 | $180,840 | $331,304 | $33,866 |
| 2024 | $648,852 | $436,501 | $204,948 | $160,473 | 14 | $161,048 | $266,034 | $19,627 |
| 2023 | $417,299 | $359,322 | $244,493 | $192,779 | 14 | $196,934 | $204,996 | $12,247 |
| 2022 | $302,470 | $321,327 | $194,351 | $151,495 | 11 | $155,478 | $137,866 | $8,515 |
| 2021 | $175,494 | $296,726 | $247,236 | $206,116 | 15 | $206,127 | $157,537 | $3,992 |
| 2020 | $126,004 | $207,613 | $150,199 | $112,472 | 7 | — | $71,746 | $2,129 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, GE McDonald Foundation reported a distributable amount of $34K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing says it is operated exclusively for religious, educational, environmental, or other charitable purposes. Its 2025 grants included program sponsorships to organizations with varied missions. For example, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption describes its work as finding permanent homes for children in foster care; Rocky Mountain College says it educates future leaders through liberal arts and professional programs; and Eagle Mount Billings says it enhances the lives of people with disabilities through recreation. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not a stated mission of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $171,946. Grants ranged from $50 to $80,110, with a median of $5,174. The largest grant was $80,110 to Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for program sponsorship. Other notable awards included $25,187 to MSU Billings Foundation and $10,000 each to Alberta Bair Theater, Billings Family YMCA, Rocky Mountain College, and Zoo Montana, all for program sponsorship.
The foundation’s filing says applicants should submit an application to the foundation with the project title, geographic area served, client group and its size, total project cost, anticipated project period, and other funding sources and amounts applied for. Required attachments include general organizational financial information, a copy of the Treasury letter certifying 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, the names of the board of directors, and the prior four years of tax returns.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gregory C McDonald and Eileen M McDonald as directors.
GE McDonald Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gregory C McDonald
Director
President & Director → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eileen M McDonald
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: John T Jones (2020) — Director
- Former: John Wilcox (2020) — Secretary, Treasurer & Director
- Former: Kara McDonald (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about GE McDonald Foundation
How much does GE McDonald Foundation give each year?
GE McDonald Foundation gave $172K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $160K across 14 grants.
What is GE McDonald Foundation's typical grant size?
GE McDonald Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,175, and its average grant was $10,747, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from GE McDonald Foundation that year got $50 on average.
Where does GE McDonald Foundation give grants?
GE McDonald Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (47%). The most frequent recipient cities were Billings, MT (15 grants).
Does GE McDonald Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on GE McDonald Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Sponsorship" (16 grants).
Who are GE McDonald Foundation's largest grantees?
GE McDonald Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption ($80,110), MSU Billings Foundation ($25,187) and Alberta Bair Theater ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is GE McDonald Foundation?
GE McDonald Foundation reported $906K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $181K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $34K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does GE McDonald Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing says it is operated exclusively for religious, educational, environmental, or other charitable purposes. Its 2025 grants included program sponsorships to organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from GE McDonald Foundation?
Submit the application and required materials to the foundation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is GE McDonald Foundation's EIN?
GE McDonald Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0393923. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in GE McDonald Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
Billings, MT
The First Interstate BancSystem Foundation funds poverty reduction, youth development, financial education, and community development, as well as civic, arts, education, health, human services, and sustainability efforts in communities served by First Interstate Bank across 10 states. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $2,500, though amounts varied widely; the stated minimum grant is $2,500. Organizations can submit grant requests online, which are traditionally reviewed monthly, but grants must be recommended by a local First Interstate branch.
Assets
$19.2M
Grants
767
Total Given
$5.0M
Charles M Bair Family Trust
Billings, MT
The Charles M. Bair Family Trust supports qualifying nonprofits and government entities operating in Montana, with preference for Meagher, Wheatland, and Yellowstone counties. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $75,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts applications through its grants-page application, with an annual March 1 deadline.
Assets
$33.9M
Grants
49
Total Given
$1.0M
Sample Foundation Inc
Billings, MT
The foundation supports Montana nonprofits serving health, social welfare, and underserved populations, primarily for equipment and building projects rather than operating costs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts annual online applications, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$7.7M
Grants
76
Total Given
$555K
The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation
Palm Beach, FL
The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation supports qualified nonprofits working in children’s services, education, homelessness, animal welfare, and related areas, primarily in Palm Beach County, Florida, and Yellowstone County, Montana. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $2.5 million, with a median of $15,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$187.8M
Grants
265
Total Given
$14.9M
Montana Community Foundation Inc
Helena, MT
Montana Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community projects in education, culture, economic vitality, land, resilience, and health, primarily benefiting Montana communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $12,500; amounts ranged from about $5,000 to $442,000, while its Community Investment Program offers grants up to $50,000 for eligible projects in three counties. Applicants can apply through listed opportunities, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$215.5M
Grants
316
Total Given
$7.7M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Montana
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). GE McDonald Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ge-mcdonald-foundation-morg_b585470f5d194799b3f2e5e17c998fff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_880393923_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{GE McDonald Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ge-mcdonald-foundation-morg_b585470f5d194799b3f2e5e17c998fff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from GE McDonald Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
GE McDonald Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?