Mcdonald Agape Foundation
The McDonald Agape Foundation is a private foundation based in Birmingham, Michigan, established in November 1989. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on funding research and educational initiatives, particularly in theology and related disciplines.
Key facts about Mcdonald Agape Foundation
- EIN
- 38-2840692
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,975,127
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- Average grant
- $126,820
- Median grant
- $91,620
- Total assets
- $41,769,894
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (13% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation indicates it is "preselected only," meaning it does not accept unsolicited applications and works with organizations it has identified or that come through established relationships.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mcdonald Agape Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Mcdonald Agape Foundation's 55 itemized 2024 grants were North Carolina (13%), Georgia (11%) and District of Columbia (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (7 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Durham, NC (5 grants) and New York, NY (4 grants). 18% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$41.8M
-1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.0M
+8.7% YoY
Grant Count
55
-6.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$127K
+16.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mcdonald Agape Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is "Encouraging Distinguished Scholars for Christ." The organization funds research toward publications exploring Christian systematic theology, with particular emphasis on supporting distinguished scholars, chairs, centers, lecturers, and programs.
Primary funding areas include:
- Theology and theological research
- Bioethics
- Christian education and ministry
- Higher education initiatives with Christian focus
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it is "preselected only," meaning it does not accept unsolicited applications and works with organizations it has identified or that come through established relationships.
Grant Range
$5,000 to $683,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Mcdonald Agape Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across the United States and internationally. Domestic funding extends to multiple states including Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. International funding includes locations such as London and Heidelberg.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 55 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2023-2024):
- Total Assets: $41.8 million to $42.5 million
- Annual Revenue: $2.3 million to $3.8 million
- Annual Expenses: $7.9 million to $8.0 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.02 million
The foundation's expenses exceed its annual revenue, indicating it draws from its asset base to support its grantmaking activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $41,769,894 | $42,498,174 | $40,797,389 |
| Revenue | $2,284,437 | $3,784,106 | $-3,849,418 |
| Expenses | $7,980,469 | $8,037,556 | $5,753,093 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,781,869 | $7,837,637 | $5,574,773 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,708,035 | $683,866 | $110,043 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,067,858 | $1,935,058 | $2,230,886 |
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
207 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Duke University - Divinity School ($750,000 across 4 grants), The Lambeth Trust ($685,732 across 3 grants), International Dominican Foundation ($638,000 across 3 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE LAMBETH TRUST | EDUCATION:THEOLOGY - CENTRE FOR CULTURAL WITNESS (LAMBETH PALACE) | $585,282 |
| INTERNATIONAL DOMINICAN FOUNDATION MEAIRIE, LA | EDUCATION: THEOLOGY - ANGELICUM SCRIPTUAL EXEGESIS PROJECT | $583,000 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - VAGELOS MEDICAL COLLEGE NEW YORK, NY | EDUCATION: ETHICS/MEDICINE - CENTER FOR CLINICAL MEDICAL ETHICS | $400,000 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY - DIVINITY SCHOOL DURHAM, NC | EDUCATION: THEOLOGY/ARTS - DITA DIRECTORSHIP SUPPORT | $400,000 |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY - CHANDLER DIVINITY SCHOOL ATLANTA, GA | EDUCATION: THEOLOGY/LAW - NEW TESTAMENT PROFESSORSHIP | $300,000 |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, DC | EDUCATION: THEOLOGY/MEDICINE - BIOETHICS FELLOWSHIP | $298,000 |
| ST MELLITUS COLLEGE TRUST | EDUCATION: THEOLOGY - NICAEA 325TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECT | $255,113 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY - DIVINITY SCHOOL DURHAM, NC | EDUCATION: THEOLOGY - CHRISTIAN INFORMING ACADEMIC MEDICINE | $200,000 |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY - LAW SCHOOL ATLANTA, GA | EDUCATION: THEOLOGY/LAW - SENIOR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | $200,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG | EDUCATION HISTORY OF RELIGION - FAITH AND EURBAN CIVILIZATIONS IN ASIA | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
| Name | Title | Hours/Week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter McDonald | President/Chief Operating Officer | 35 | $343,000 |
| Mark Maurice | Treasurer/Assistant Secretary | 35 | $293,000 |
| Jonathan Aitken | Director | 5 | $10,000 |
| Walter Czarnecki | Director | 5 | $2,000 |
| Virginia Dunn-Biggar | Director | 5 | $2,000 |
| Jennifer Peters | Director | 5 | — |
The foundation has two full-time employees and operates with a board of directors.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK MAURICE | TREASURER/ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 35 | $293,600 |
| JONATHAN AITKEN | DIRECTOR | 5 | $12,000 |
| PETER MCDONALD | PRESIDENT/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 35 | $340,600 |
| WALTER CZARNECKI | DIRECTOR | 5 | $3,000 |
| VIRGINIA DUNN-BIGGAR | DIRECTOR | 5 | $3,000 |
| JENNIFER PETERS | DIRECTOR | 5 | $3,000 |
| GREGORY JONES | DIRECTOR | 5 | $3,000 |
| KENNETH CHURCHILL | DIRECTOR | 5 | $3,000 |
| R JAMISON WILLIAMS JR | RETIRED SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| ROBERT BICK | SUCCESSOR SECRETARY | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been actively engaged in funding theological and bioethical research initiatives. Recent notable grants include support for the Angelicum Scriptural Exegesis Project, bioethics fellowships at Georgetown University, and a significant $2 million award to Emory University's Center for the Study of Law and Religion. The foundation continues to support initiatives related to systematic theology, including work toward the "Theology Totale" trilogy.
McDonald Agape Foundation Awards $2 Million to CSLR |Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mcdonald Agape Foundation fund?
The foundation's stated purpose is "Encouraging Distinguished Scholars for Christ." The organization funds research toward publications exploring Christian systematic theology, with particular emphasis on supporting distinguished scholars, chairs, centers, lecturers, and programs. Primary funding areas include: • Theology and theological research • Bioethics • Christian education and ministry • Higher education initiatives with Christian focus
How do I apply for a grant from Mcdonald Agape Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 59 grants awarded in the most recent reporting period • Grant range: $5,000 to $683,000 • Median grant size: $75,000 • Total annual giving: approximately $6.4 million to $7 million **Recent Grants:** • International Dominican Foundation: $583,000 (Angelicum Scriptural Exegesis Project) • Georgetown University: $298,000 (Bioethics Fellowship) • Sagamore Institute: $175,000 (Forum Network, New York) • Emory University Center for the Study of Law and Religion: $2,000,000 **Ap…
Where does Mcdonald Agape Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across the United States and internationally. Domestic funding extends to multiple states including Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. International funding includes locations such as London and Heidelberg.
What size grants does Mcdonald Agape Foundation award?
In 2024, Mcdonald Agape Foundation awarded 55 grants totaling $7.0M — an average of about $127K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mcdonald Agape Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mcdonald Agape Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mcdonald Agape Foundation's EIN?
Mcdonald Agape Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2840692. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Mcdonald Agape Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. The foundation indicates it is "preselected only," meaning it does not accept unsolicited applications and works with organizations it has identified or that come through established relationships.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.