Mary J Donnelly Foundation
The Mary J Donnelly Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, established as a trust in 1951 and granted tax-exempt status in May 1953. The foundation operates with approximately $1.9 million in assets and is managed by unpaid trustees. It supports a variety of charitable organizations across the United States, with a particular concentration in Pennsylvania.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.9M
-2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$300K
+47.9% YoY
Grant Count
38
+52.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-2.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mary J Donnelly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $195K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, its funding patterns demonstrate primary support for:
- Religion (34% of recent grants)
- Education (33% of recent grants), including higher education and secondary schools
- Social & Human Services (25% of recent grants)
The foundation shows a particular emphasis on Catholic agencies and churches, as well as organizations serving people with disabilities.
Grantmaking
Applicants must contact the foundation directly for application details. There are no stated deadlines.
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities:
- Pennsylvania receives 49% of grants, with particular emphasis on the greater Pittsburgh area
- Other significant funding states: New York, Michigan, Maryland, and Massachusetts
- Additional states supported: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Texas
- Cities receiving support: Baltimore, Chicago, New York, and Washington, among others
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2025:
- Total Assets: $1,924,420
- Total Revenues: $291,438
- Total Expenses: $332,403
- Investment Income and Dividends: $104,570
As of Prior Year (June 2024):
- Investment Income and Dividends: $99,767
The foundation has no employees and does not maintain a public website.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,924,420 | $1,965,385 | $1,883,051 |
| Revenue | $291,438 | $314,129 | $282,885 |
| Expenses | $332,403 | $231,795 | $347,670 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $299,500 | $202,500 | $312,325 |
| Net Investment Income | $290,274 | $306,229 | $259,610 |
| Distributable Amount | $195,191 | $187,669 | $174,245 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh ($50,000), Jesuit Volunteer Corps ($20,000), Rosemont College ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANGEL'S PLACE PITTSBURGH, PA | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $2,000 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY BRIGHTON, MA | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $5,000 |
| BREAD FOR THE WORLD INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $5,000 |
| CARLOW UNIVERSITY PITTSBURGH, PA | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $10,000 |
| ELIZABETH SETON CENTER PITTSBURGH, PA | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $5,000 |
| FOCUS ON RENEWAL MCKEES ROCK, PA | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $5,000 |
| GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK DUQUESNE, PA | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $10,000 |
| GREGORIAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION PITTSBURGH, PA | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $10,000 |
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES BALTIMORE, MD | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $10,000 |
| JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE WASHINGTON, DC | TO FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE DONEE ORG. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by four unpaid trustees:
- M. Megan Donnelly
- Margaret E. Egler
- Elizabeth A. Donnelly
- Frederick N. Egler Jr.
The foundation was established by Mary J. Donnelly.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| M MEGAN DONNELLY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MARGARET E EGLER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ELIZABETH A DONNELLY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| FREDERICK N EGLER JR | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mary J Donnelly Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, its funding patterns demonstrate primary support for: • **Religion** (34% of recent grants) • **Education** (33% of recent grants), including higher education and secondary schools • **Social & Human Services** (25% of recent grants) The foundation shows a particular emphasis on Catholic agencies and churches, as well as organizations serving people with disabilities.
How do I apply for a grant from Mary J Donnelly Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 27 grants in the most recent fiscal year (as of June 2025) • Total giving: approximately $202,500 to $231,795 annually **Recent Grants Include:** • $50,000 to Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh • $20,000 to Rosemont College of the Holy Child Jesus • $20,000 to Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) • $15,000 to St. Mary Magdalene Parish • $15,000 to Rosemont College • $10,000 to St. Paul Cathedral Parish • $10,000 to Carlow University • $10,000 to Greater Pittsbur…
Where does Mary J Donnelly Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities: • **Pennsylvania receives 49% of grants**, with particular emphasis on the greater Pittsburgh area • **Other significant funding states:** New York, Michigan, Maryland, and Massachusetts • **Additional states supported:** Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Texas • **Cities receiving support:** Baltimore, Chicago, New York, and Washington, among others
What size grants does Mary J Donnelly Foundation award?
In 2025, Mary J Donnelly Foundation awarded 38 grants totaling $300K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mary J Donnelly Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Mary J Donnelly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $195K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mary J Donnelly Foundation's EIN?
Mary J Donnelly Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6037469. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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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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