Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda
The Gustaf W. McIlhenny Foundation is a private foundation based in Boca Grande, Florida. It supports community, conservation, education, and health organizations that advance traditional values, particularly in the southern United States.
Key facts about Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda
In short: Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda gave $1.2M across 75 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in Louisiana. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 72-1404522
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,185,313
- Grants made (2024)
- 75
- Average grant
- $15,804
- Median grant
- $6,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (14 of 68, 2024)
- Total assets
- $20,331,723
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (73% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation’s website provides an online pre-qualification process followed, for qualified applicants, by an online application. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website lists October 15 for applications for the current year.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.3M
-3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+12.6% YoY
Grant Count
75
-3.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+17.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 68 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it supports community, conservation, education, and health organizations, and seeks to promote sustainable programs that improve access to opportunity and traditional values.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in conservation, education, health, arts and culture, and public safety. For example, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation describes its work as fostering conservation solutions for people and nature; the Rectory School describes its work as providing an enriched academic, social, and ethical community for students; and Hogs for the Cause describes its purpose as alleviating burdens associated with pediatric brain cancer. These are the recipient organizations’ stated missions, not additional statements of the foundation’s mission.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 75 grants totaling $1,185,313. Grant amounts ranged from $179 to $270,000, with a median of $6,000.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $270,000 to the Greater New Orleans Foundation; $100,000 each to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Pro Bono Publico Foundation; $55,000 to Ducks Unlimited; and $31,031 to Louisiana State University for scholarships. Other listed awards included $30,000 to the Rectory School, $29,000 to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, and $25,000 each to the Land Trust for Little Tennessee, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, St. George Episcopal School, and WYES-TV.
For its grant application process, the foundation’s website requires applicants to submit an online pre-qualification form before the calendar deadlines. Applicants are notified within two weeks whether they may proceed to a full application. Qualified applicants select the programmatic/operating support or capital support application, complete a status certification form, and submit the materials online as a PDF; applications are not accepted by mail. The website lists October 15 as the deadline for applications for the current year, with notification by December 15.
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes a separate scholarship process: applicants must obtain an approved scholarship application form from the foundation’s website and submit it online. Scholarships are restricted to employees and family members of employees of E McIlhenny’s Son Corporation, based on merit, and may be used only for tuition and related expenses at an accredited university or trade school. Awards cover one academic year, with possible renewal based on continued enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. An independent, objective committee selects recipients.
Review Cycle
The website lists October 15 for applications for the current year. The 2024 filing states that fall scholarship applications must be submitted by September 30.
How to Apply
The foundation’s website provides an online pre-qualification process followed, for qualified applicants, by an online application. The 2024 filing describes the scholarship application as an online process using the approved form.
Ready to take the next step with Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s mission emphasizes organizations serving traditional values, particularly in the southern United States. In 2024, Louisiana received 73% of grant dollars, followed by the District of Columbia (11%), Tennessee (5%), North Carolina (4%), and Connecticut (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $916K (2020) to $1.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 75 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater New Orleans Foundation ($270K). Together the top 10 received $690K.
Organizations only. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($2,715), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
355 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 324 grants of 355 (91%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater New Orleans Foundation New Orleans, LA | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $270,000 |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Washington, DC | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $100,000 |
| Pro Bono Publico Foundation New Orleans, LA | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $100,000 |
| Ducks Unlimited Memphis, TN | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $55,000 |
| Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA | Provide scholarships for students selected in accordance with procedures approved in advance by irs | $31,031 |
| The Rectory School Pomfret, CT | Education | $30,000 |
| Metropolitan Crime Commission New Orleans, LA | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $29,000 |
| Land Trust for Little Tennessee Franklin, NC | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $25,000 |
| National Trust for Historic Preservation Washington, DC | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $25,000 |
| St George Episcopal School New Orleans, LA | Further Charitable Purposes of Recipient Charity | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,331,723 | $1,240,108 | $1,778,916 | $1,185,313 | 75 |
| 2023 | $21,043,255 | $523,190 | $1,587,019 | $1,052,423 | 78 |
| 2022 | $22,313,627 | $38,221 | $1,668,518 | $1,085,772 | 71 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,331,723 | $21,043,255 | $22,313,627 |
| Revenue | $1,240,108 | $523,190 | $38,221 |
| Expenses | $1,778,916 | $1,587,019 | $1,668,518 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,352,209 | $1,239,403 | $1,262,347 |
| Net Investment Income | $808,761 | $486,938 | $410,717 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,381,566 | $1,249,485 | $1,289,181 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Edwin R. Rodriguez Jr. as president and Judith McIlhenny as secretary. Directors listed are Richard Rodriguez, Clark Fitz-Hugh, Barbara Fitz-Hugh, Elizabeth Jaeger, Eleanor R. Brown, and Rosemary R. Dinkins.
Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda is led by Edwin R. Rodriguez Jr., President on every filing since 2020; 4 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Edwin R. Rodriguez Jr.
President
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$143K (2020) → $144K (2024)
Barbara Fitz-Hugh
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $0 (2024)
Clark Fitz-Hugh
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $0 (2024)
Eleanor R. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Richard Rodriguez
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Elizabeth Jaeger
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosemary R. Dinkins
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith McIlhenny
Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$60K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $144K, to Edwin R Rodriguez Jr (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Edwin R Rodriguez Jr
Mailing address: 1100 Poydras St Suite 1350, New Orleans, LA 70163
Phone: (504) 207-8555
Email: info@mcilhenny.org
Website: https://www.mcilhenny.org
Frequently asked questions about Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda
How much does Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda give each year?
Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda gave $1.2M across 75 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 78 grants.
What is Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda's typical grant size?
Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $15,804, across 75 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda that year got $8K on average.
Where does Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda give grants?
Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda gives mostly in Louisiana: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (41 grants), Lafayette, LA (4 grants), Baton Rouge, LA (3 grants) and Metairie, LA (3 grants).
Who are Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda's largest grantees?
Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda's largest 2024 grantees include Greater New Orleans Foundation ($270,000), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ($100,000) and Pro Bono Publico Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($2,715), which are not listed by name. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda?
Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda reported $20.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda fund?
The foundation states that it supports community, conservation, education, and health organizations, and seeks to promote sustainable programs that improve access to opportunity and traditional values. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda?
The foundation’s website provides an online pre-qualification process followed, for qualified applicants, by an online application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda's EIN?
Gustaf Westfeldt McIlhenny Family Founda's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1404522. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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