Macdonald-Peterson Foundation
The Macdonald-Peterson Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in several states, including organizations working in areas such as family support, education, health, arts, and community services.
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation at a glance
In short: Macdonald-Peterson Foundation gave $540K across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), top state California. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $540,000
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- +2.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,595
- +9.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $13,560,882
- -0.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (8 of 37, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (29% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Macdonald-Peterson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: One Riverway 1900, Houston, TX 77056
Phone: (713) 579-2355
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Macdonald-Peterson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New York Public Library ($35K). Together the top 10 received $253K.
Grant Size Distribution
186 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 185 grants of 186 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, California recipients received 29% of grant dollars, Texas recipients 26%, Oregon recipients 19%, New York recipients 16%, and District of Columbia recipients 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Macdonald-Peterson Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 37 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 84% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $470K (2020) to $540K (2024). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $540K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York Public Library New York, NY | General Fund | $35,000 |
| Independent Institute for Being Homeless Oakland, CA | General Fund | $30,000 |
| Stanislaus Family Justice Center Modesto, CA | General Fund | $30,000 |
| South Chico Community Assistance Center Chicago, CA | General Fund | $27,500 |
| Drusilla Huffmaster Anderson Prize in Music Houston, TX | General Fund | $25,000 |
| Redwood Foundation for Education Grants Pass, OR | General Fund | $25,000 |
| Bakerripeley Houston, TX | General Fund | $20,000 |
| Billy Defrank Lesbian & Gay Community Center San Jose, CA | General Fund | $20,000 |
| Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Houston, TX | General Fund | $20,000 |
| St Martin's Episcopal Church Houston, TX | Operating Fund | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Macdonald-Peterson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,560,882 | $1,043,807 | $638,633 | $540,000 | 37 | $599,180 | $1,004,354 | $710,230 |
| 2023 | $13,628,685 | $127,760 | $646,743 | $480,000 | 36 | $533,134 | $221,878 | $616,928 |
| 2022 | $13,628,999 | $682,582 | $632,227 | $480,000 | 38 | $544,061 | $639,875 | $618,139 |
| 2021 | $13,578,644 | $3,308,231 | $592,172 | $490,000 | 38 | $546,636 | $3,270,473 | $503,055 |
| 2020 | $10,862,585 | $601,406 | $588,805 | $470,000 | 37 | — | $559,601 | $465,829 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Macdonald-Peterson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $710K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees include organizations with varied missions. For example, the Stanislaus Family Justice Center says it offers victims and survivors “a path to safety and hope through compassion and coordinated services.” College Dreams says it promotes college and career readiness for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students in southern Oregon. Theatre Under the Stars says it enriches life through musical theatre, artist development, new works, education, and community outreach. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $540,000. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $35,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest grants were $35,000 to the New York Public Library, $30,000 each to the Independent Institute for Being Homeless and the Stanislaus Family Justice Center, and $27,500 to the South Chico Community Assistance Center. Other grants included $25,000 to the Drusilla Huffmaster Anderson Prize in Music and $20,000 each to BAKERRIPELEY, the Billy DeFrank Lesbian & Gay Community Center, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, St Martin’s Episcopal Church, and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Diana Macdonald Moore as president; William T Miller as vice president/treasurer; Kathirene Zoe Peterson White as director; Kristin Marie Clarke as vice president; and Roderick Nicholas Peterson as secretary.
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation is led by Diana Macdonald Moore, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Diana Macdonald Moore
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathirene Zoe Peterson White
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Marie Clarke
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roderick Nicholas Peterson
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William T. Miller
Vice President & Treasurer
Vice President → Vice President & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Erik G. Peterson (2020–2022) — President & Treasurer
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.
Frequently asked questions about Macdonald-Peterson Foundation
How much does Macdonald-Peterson Foundation give each year?
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation gave $540K across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $480K across 36 grants.
What is Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's typical grant size?
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,595, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Macdonald-Peterson Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does Macdonald-Peterson Foundation give grants?
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's top state is California, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (26%) and Oregon (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (8 grants), Grants Pass, OR (7 grants), New York, NY (5 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Macdonald-Peterson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (37 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's largest grantees?
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include New York Public Library ($35,000), Independent Institute for Being Homeless ($30,000) and Stanislaus Family Justice Center ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Macdonald-Peterson Foundation?
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation reported $13.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $599K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $710K (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 Macdonald-Peterson Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees include organizations with varied missions. For example, the Stanislaus Family Justice Center says it offers victims and survivors “a path to safety and hope through compassion and coordinated services.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Macdonald-Peterson Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's EIN?
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0430319. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Macdonald-Peterson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Macdonald-Peterson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Texas
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds a broad range of community needs, including health, education, housing, and community development, primarily in North Texas and across Texas. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $18,800, though amounts varied widely; nearly all opportunities are by invitation, with some specific programs open for applications.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
BNSF Railway Foundation
Fort Worth, TX
The BNSF Railway Foundation funds civic, cultural, education, health and human services, environmental, and youth programs, including operating costs and specific projects. Its 2025 median grant was $2,500, though awards ranged from $100 to $500,000; it supports eligible organizations serving communities near BNSF rail lines across its 28 operating states. The foundation provides an online application process, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$23.0M
Grants
993
Total Given
$7.0M
Baker Hughes Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
990
Total Given
$3.2M
Community Foundation of North Texas (Tax
Fort Worth, TX
The foundation supports nonprofits and community projects in areas including animal welfare, nonprofit capacity building, first responders, land conservation, neighborhood development, opportunity and access, and scholarships. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,100 to $1.5 million, with a median of $14,250; its service area covers 11 North Texas counties. It accepts applications for some competitive grant programs through its online portal, but donor-advised grants are not open to nonprofit applications.
Assets
$544.9M
Grants
872
Total Given
$41.3M
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Austin, TX
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds education, health, jobs and livelihoods, and family economic stability, with its deepest U.S. focus in Texas and additional work across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024 it awarded 835 grants totaling about $164.6 million; grants ranged from $75 to $50 million, with a median of $19,324. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
835
Total Given
$164.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Macdonald-Peterson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/macdonald-peterson-foundation-morg_91d0ccb0b16b444c9c3c1f45352f5192
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760430319_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Macdonald-Peterson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/macdonald-peterson-foundation-morg_91d0ccb0b16b444c9c3c1f45352f5192},
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 Macdonald-Peterson 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.
Macdonald-Peterson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?