Mac Five Foundation Inc
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.
Key facts about Mac Five Foundation Inc
In short: Mac Five Foundation Inc gave $17.7M across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $4.4M), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 36-4507175
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $17,722,660
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- Average grant
- $4,430,665
- Median grant
- $4,223,798
- Total assets
- $103,179,224
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Quick answers about Mac Five Foundation Inc
How much does Mac Five Foundation Inc give each year?
Mac Five Foundation Inc gave $17.7M across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $15.3M across 33 grants.
What is Mac Five Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Mac Five Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $4,223,798, and its average grant was $4,430,665, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Mac Five Foundation Inc give grants?
Mac Five Foundation Inc gives mostly in Missouri: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were St Louis, MO (4 grants).
Does Mac Five Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Mac Five Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Mac Five Foundation Inc?
Mac Five Foundation Inc reported $103.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $17.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
How Mac Five Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 122% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 177% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Mac Five Foundation Inc
- How to evaluate Mac Five Foundation Inc as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$103.2M
-21.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$17.7M
+15.7% YoY
Grant Count
4
-87.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4.4M
+854.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mac Five Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $10.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Share of all 4 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
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 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $103,179,224 | $131,096,064 | $112,553,449 |
| Revenue | $34,689,285 | $35,408,845 | $13,640,081 |
| Expenses | $19,218,608 | $16,847,666 | $9,463,876 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $17,797,971 | $15,400,696 | $8,513,465 |
| Net Investment Income | $27,850,956 | $28,576,683 | $7,009,478 |
| Distributable Amount | $10,043,788 | $11,383,330 | $9,025,850 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JSM CHARITABLE TRUST St Louis, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $9,000,000 |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY St Louis, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,100,000 |
| GLENVIEW - MERCURY FAMILY FOUNDATION St Louis, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $347,595 |
| STARPATCH FOUNDATION St Louis, MO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $275,065 |
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
Mac Five Foundation Inc is led by Catherine M. Rogers, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Catherine M. Rogers
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $6K (2025)
Kimberly Rogers
Director & Clerk
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Alicia S. McDonnell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Antonio Pipoli
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory T. Stevens
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly M. James
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne M. Champer
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey M. McDonnell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer C. McDonnell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine H. McDonnell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcella M. Stevens
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary E. Abbott
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: James S. McDonnell III (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: John F. McDonnell (2020–2021) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
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 Mac Five Foundation Inc 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 Mac Five Foundation Inc?
**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.
What is Mac Five Foundation Inc's EIN?
Mac Five Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4507175. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.