Mary Kay Ash Foundation
The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is a public charity based in Addison, Texas, formed in 1996. It raises and distributes funds for research and clinical trials focused on cancers affecting women and for efforts to end domestic violence against women.
Mary Kay Ash Foundation at a glance
In short: Mary Kay Ash Foundation gave $2.6M across 78 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), top state New York. 56% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,600,000
- -22.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 78
- -8.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $33,333
- -15.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $16,973,946
- +10.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 56% first-time grantees (44 of 78, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mary Kay Ash Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
Cancer research applications are by invitation only, with one application accepted per institution. The research review committee chair reviews inquiries, and the board must approve whether an institution is an appropriate fit. Domestic violence shelter applicants must operate a physical shelter and meet stated eligibility requirements, including being a 501(c)(3), having operated for more than five years, primarily providing shelter to women who have experienced domestic violence, and being at least one year removed from a prior foundation grant. An optional letter of recommendation from a Mary Kay Independent Sales Force member may be included.
- Review Cycle
- The cancer research grant cycle lists applications opening November 1 and closing February 1. Domestic violence shelter applications open January 1 and close April 30. The foundation’s website says cancer research applicants are notified in August and awards are announced in September or October; shelter applicants are also notified in August, with awards announced in September or October. The website states that the International Postdoctoral Scholars in Cancer Research Fellowship is not currently accepting applications.
- Deadline
- The cancer research grant cycle lists applications opening November 1 and closing February 1.
- Next open deadline
- February 1, 2027 (Cancer Research Grant Program (Innovative/Translational Cancer Research))
- Contact
Mailing address: 16251 Dallas Parkway, Addison, TX 75001
Phone: (972) 687-6300
Website: https://marykayashfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Mary Kay Ash Foundation
Cancer Research Grant Program (Innovative/Translational Cancer Research)
Mary Kay Ash Foundation
Amount
Up to $100,000
Deadline
Expected ~February
Based on past cycles
Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program (United States)
Mary Kay Ash Foundation
Amount
US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
International Postdoctoral Scholars in Cancer Research Fellowship
Mary Kay Ash Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Mary Kay Ash Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cancercare ($150K). Together the top 10 received $825K.
Grant Size Distribution
400 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 283 grants of 400 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says cancer research grants are for NCI-designated institutions and fully accredited medical schools in the United States. Its domestic violence shelter grants support shelters across the country. The 2024 grant-dollar shares by recipient state were New York 22%, Texas 20%, North Carolina 5%, Illinois 5%, and Ohio 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Mary Kay Ash Foundation open to new grantees?
56%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 44 of 78 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 26% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $2.6M (2024) to $3.4M (2023). In 2024 it made 78 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cancercare New York, NY | Cancer Grant | $150,000 |
| Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Dallas, TX | Cancer Grant | $100,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Dallas, TX | Cancer Grant | $100,000 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | Cancer Grant | $100,000 |
| The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Carrboro, NC | Cancer Grant | $100,000 |
| Conference on Crimes Against Women Dallas, TX | Violence Against Women | $75,000 |
| UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX | Cancer Grant | $50,000 |
| Albany Medical Center Foundation Albany, NY | Cancer Grant | $50,000 |
| Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY | Cancer Grant | $50,000 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | Cancer Grant | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Mary Kay Ash Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it has donated more than $96 million in support of its mission since inception.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,973,946 | $3,760,757 | $2,943,491 | $2,600,000 | 78 | $350,867 |
| 2023 | $15,376,735 | $3,423,304 | $3,800,870 | $3,370,000 | 85 | $415,498 |
| 2022 | $14,935,053 | $4,554,537 | $3,331,010 | $2,768,790 | 76 | $668,991 |
| 2021 | $16,216,503 | $4,851,142 | $3,559,510 | $3,075,000 | 79 | $682,041 |
| 2020 | $14,669,231 | $4,182,073 | $4,004,790 | $3,045,000 | 82 | $460,640 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to support organizations that raise and distribute funds for breakthrough cancer research and clinical trials to find cures for women-related cancers, and to end domestic violence.
For cancer research, the foundation describes its focus as innovative translational research that links laboratory research with clinical practice and aims to improve cancer diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, or treatment. It invites applications from NCI-designated cancer institutes and accredited medical schools; awards are for a two-year period and may be up to $100,000, including direct and indirect costs. The foundation also supports programs and services for people affected by cancer and clinical trials for cancers affecting women.
For domestic violence, the foundation awards grants to emergency shelters with physical facilities that provide safety and services to women and children escaping abuse. It also supports community outreach and partners with selected organizations working to eliminate violence against women.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. CancerCare says it helps people cope with the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center describes its work as cancer prevention, treatment, and cure through patient care, outreach, research, and education. The Conference on Crimes Against Women says it provides training and information to professionals responding to crimes including domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 78 grants totaling $2,600,000. Grants ranged from $20,000 to $150,000, with a median of $20,000. The foundation’s 2024 filing describes its annual awards as including cancer research and domestic violence shelter grants. It reported providing research grants to 15 cancer institutions and awarding 50 national domestic violence shelter grants and four North Texas domestic violence shelter grants that year.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $150,000 to CancerCare; $100,000 each to Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and $75,000 to the Conference on Crimes Against Women.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael Lunceford as president and director; Ryan Rogers as vice president and director; Kris Johnson as treasurer and director; Cheryl Monroe as secretary and director; and Anne Crews, Jessica Bair, and Nathan Moore as directors.
Mary Kay Ash Foundation is led by Michael Lunceford, President & Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Lunceford
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Crews
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Bair
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kris Johnson
Treasurer & Director
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, Treasurer & Director, 2021
Secretary, Treasurer & Director → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Moore
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Rogers
Vice President & Director
Vice President → Vice President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Monroe
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Mary Kay Ash Foundation
How much does Mary Kay Ash Foundation give each year?
Mary Kay Ash Foundation gave $2.6M across 78 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 85 grants.
What is Mary Kay Ash Foundation's typical grant size?
Mary Kay Ash Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $33,333, across 78 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mary Kay Ash Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does Mary Kay Ash Foundation give grants?
Mary Kay Ash Foundation's top state is New York, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest state was Texas (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (7 grants), New York, NY (5 grants) and Providence, RI (2 grants).
Does Mary Kay Ash Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 78 grants with a stated purpose on Mary Kay Ash Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Violence Against Women" (55 grants) and "Cancer Grant" (23 grants).
Who are Mary Kay Ash Foundation's largest grantees?
Mary Kay Ash Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cancercare ($150,000), Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation ($100,000) and Baylor College of Medicine ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Mary Kay Ash Foundation?
Mary Kay Ash Foundation reported $17.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.8M.
What does Mary Kay Ash Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support organizations that raise and distribute funds for breakthrough cancer research and clinical trials to find cures for women-related cancers, and to end domestic violence. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mary Kay Ash Foundation?
Cancer research applications are by invitation only, with one application accepted per institution. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mary Kay Ash Foundation's EIN?
Mary Kay Ash Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2653742. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mary Kay Ash Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mary Kay Ash Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mary-kay-ash-foundation-morg_df818d8ac4ad429ab03d66bc096b18b8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_752653742_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mary Kay Ash Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mary-kay-ash-foundation-morg_df818d8ac4ad429ab03d66bc096b18b8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Mary Kay Ash 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.
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