James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation
The James S McDonnell Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2002 and based in Lincoln, Massachusetts. As a 501(c)(3) designated private grantmaking foundation, it operates as a non-operating grantmaker focused on supporting education, science, technology, and medicine initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$15.3M
+80.3% YoY
Grant Count
33
-17.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$464K
+118.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities center on:
- Education — Primary focus area with emphasis on learning outcomes and cognitive development
- Science and Technology — Particularly cognitive neuroscience and brain science research
- Medicine — Support for research institutions and medical advancement
- Community Development — Secondary funding area
The McDonnell family maintains a longstanding interest in brain science, particularly cognitive neuroscience and its relationship to learning processes.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not operate formal, named grant programs. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees and directors.
Grant Range
$200,000 to $945,000
Average Grant
amount varies significantly by recipient
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- Massachusetts and New England region
- St. Louis region
- Missouri, Texas, and Massachusetts (primary states of focus)
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $112,553,449 to $113,000,000
- Total revenue: $13.6 million
- Total expenses: $9.46 million
- Total liabilities: $0
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since February 2004
- EIN: 36-4507175
- Required to file IRS Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
173 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Stl Life Sciences Projects ($5,765,000), Donald Danforth Plant Science Center ($2,965,000), St Louis Teacher Residency ($1,980,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIM HIGH ST LOUIS SAINT LOUIS, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN YOUTH FOUNDATION CLAYTON, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| CHARACTERPLUS ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER OLIVETTE, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,965,000 |
| ENVIRONMENT AMERICA RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER DENVER, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CENTER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $110,000 |
| THE LITTLE BIT FOUNDATION MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $126,000 |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| FORWARD THROUGH FERGUSON ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Catherine M Rogers — President/Treasurer
- Kimberly Rogers — Director/Clerk
- James S McDonnell III — Leadership role
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATHERINE M ROGERS | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 3 | $6,000 |
| KIMBERLY ROGERS | DIRECTOR/CLERK | 2 | $3,000 |
| MARCELLA M STEVENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREGORY T STEVENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY M MCDONNELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER C MCDONNELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALICIA S MCDONNELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HOLLY M JAMES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEANNE M CHAMPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARY E ABBOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHERINE H MCDONNELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANTONIO PIPOLI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 16 Weston Road, Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: (314) 862-1040
Website: No public website
Email: Not publicly available
Note: This is a separate family foundation distinct from the James S. McDonnell Foundation based in St. Louis, Missouri, which is a larger, separate philanthropic institution.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities center on: • **Education** — Primary focus area with emphasis on learning outcomes and cognitive development • **Science and Technology** — Particularly cognitive neuroscience and brain science research • **Medicine** — Support for research institutions and medical advancement • **Community Development** — Secondary funding area The McDonnell family maintains a longstanding interest in brain science, particularly cognitive neuroscience and its relationship to …
How do I apply for a grant from James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total giving: $8,494,500 • Number of grants: 40 grants awarded • Grant range: $200,000 to $945,000 • Average grant amount varies significantly by recipient **Grant Structure:** The foundation does not operate formal, named grant programs. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees and directors.
Where does James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • Massachusetts and New England region • St. Louis region • Missouri, Texas, and Massachusetts (primary states of focus)
What size grants does James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation award?
In 2024, James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $15.3M — an average of about $464K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation's EIN?
James S Mcdonnell Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4507175. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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